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Our Correspondent

Housing, medical aid for poor

Kottayam , Nov. 29

The Federation of Kerala Associations in North America (Fokana) is planning to launch various projects for the welfare of the people in the State. It has opened an office in Thiruvananthapuram to coordinate the activities.

The project package includes an airport, a housing project for the homeless, medical assistance to those below the poverty line and medical tourism, said Mr Sassidharan Nair, President, and Mr Anil George, Secretary, Fokana.

AIRPORT PLAN

An airport in central Kerala is a long-felt dream of the Malayalees. If the State Government provides the land and the Centre clears the project, Fokana will finance the project, they said. They have already held discussions with the Civil Aviation Minister and the Defence Minister, and the Chief Minister and the Home Minister of Kerala.

With all the progress made by the State in different sectors, many are still living without shelter. The project envisages to construct 100 houses in the first phase. Under the scheme for medical assistance, Fokana will give Rs 5,000 each to 100 people living below the poverty line.

A scheme entitled `a dollar to language' proposes to give Rs 10,000 each to all post-graduate rank holders in Malayalam in the universities in the State.

Under the medical tourism plan, Americans will be invited to enjoy the hospitality of the medical sector and undergo treatment in Kerala. While in America bypass surgery or heart surgery would cost Rs 95 lakh, the same treatment and a tour in the State costs only Rs 10 lakh here.

If this message is effectively communicated to Americans, more and more people will visit the state as medical tourists. Fokana also recommended the appointment of a brand ambassador to propagate the message.

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