Extensive scheme to protect Non-Resident Keralites

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the comprehensive health accident insurance scheme 'Norka Care' implemented by the state government for expatriates through NORKA Roots. The expatriate community is the backbone of Kerala's economy. Everyone knows how beneficial the money they send home from foreign countries has been in Kerala's economic progress. This is the first time in the country that a complete health insurance scheme has been devised and implemented exclusively for expatriates. Through this scheme, which has a low premium rate, cashless treatment will be available at 16,000 treatment centres in the country, including 500 hospitals in the state. The Chief Minister also said that treatment facilities will be provided in hospitals in GCC countries in the coming years.

The Chief Minister also reminded the public in his speech that Rs 150 crore is now being spent on welfare activities for expatriates in the state, instead of Rs 25 crore earlier. Medical insurance of Rs 5 lakh will be available through 'Norka Care'. The same amount is enough for those aged 18 to 70 to join the scheme. No medical check-ups or medical declarations are required. Children of expatriates up to the age of 25 can continue in the family group. Expatriates returning home will have the facility to continue their policy benefits through portability. There will be a facility to renew the policy without a medical check-up after the age of 70, through portability. Expats can join the scheme through the NORKA website and using their NORKA ID.

Malayalees can get an NRK card by submitting the required documents to prove that they are residing outside Kerala. Associations registered with NORKA can add members to the scheme through bulk enrollment. Therefore, 'Norka Care' is a very attractive scheme. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the NORKA department led by the Chief Minister, as well as the organizers of NORKA Roots, especially NORKA Roots Resident Vice Chairman P Sreeramakrishnan, for devising and implementing this extensive scheme. NORKA Roots extends a helping hand at many stages, especially in times when overseas Malayalis are facing crises. Steps are taken to collect accurate information and bring Malayalees back home, even if they meet with accidents outside Kerala.

As the Chief Minister said, this security scheme, which provides health care, paves the way to hold close the expatriate community. At the same time, there has been a demand to include in this scheme those who have returned to their homeland earlier. Those who return home after taking out the policy have the opportunity to continue it. At the same time, a large section of those who have already returned and have been demanding this for many years are not able to join the scheme. More than half of the more than two million expatriates who have returned are over the age of sixty. Norka Roots should consider providing registration and health care to former expatriates as well.