Kerala sets up helplines, telemedicine services for Malayalis in Gulf

mangaloretoday.com/yahoo

Gulf, Kerala, April, 09, 2020: Concerned about Covid-19 outbreaks in places with large Malayali populations, Kerala has set up help desks in the UAE and Oman to facilitate access to medical care.

As many as 23 non-resident Keralites have died of Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Fifteen were in the United States.

The state government has also set up telemedicine services for Keralites in the Gulf. Registrations began today.

Specialist doctors in a range of disciplines, from general medicine and paediatrics to ophthalmology and ENT, can be contacted from 2 pm to 6 pm through video calls or voice messages. (Check out the portal www.norkaroots.org)

On April 4, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held a videoconference with representatives from 22 countries and influential people from different regions; he sought their help for the global Malayali community.

He appealed to pravasi organisations to set up separate isolation camps for men and women in their areas, and coordinate with embassy officials.

In the Gulf, a large number of people live in labour camps where isolation facilities are limited.

Pinarayi Vijayan also directed Global Kerala Assembly members to reach out to Malayalis in labour camps, and help them get medical support.

Here are some Covid-19 help desk numbers for residents of the UAE and Oman.

FUJAIRAH

1. Hashim - 050 3901330
2. Murali Khorfakkan - 050 7897602

AL AIN

1. KV Easa - 050 6941921
2. Shajith AT - 050 8451030

DUBAI

1. Rajan - K 055 5780224
2. Sreelatha - 050 2241803
3. Badrudheen - 050 6148696

ABU DHABI

1. Padmanabhan P - 050 6112179
2. Krishna Kumar VP - 050 6921018
3. Ansari Sainudheen - 050 4923776

RAS AL KHAIMAH

1. KR Mohanan Pillai - 055 9492729
2. Mahruf - 050 6273168

OMAN

1. Jabir - 9933 5751
2. Balakrisnan - 9209 5357
3. Riyaz - 9988 6914