The Overseas Family Care initiative aims to provide home-based medical assistance and emergency hospital transportation for senior citizens whose children live abroad
In an initiative aimed at addressing the healthcare concerns of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Western Hospital in Hyderabad has launched Overseas Family Care (OFC) Cards to help Indians living abroad arrange medical assistance for their ageing parents and elderly relatives in India.
The cards are intended to provide timely healthcare support, including medical services at home and emergency transportation to hospitals, enabling families to respond more effectively to medical needs even when they are thousands of miles away.
Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare and Enterprises Mohammed Azharuddin launched the initiative at Western Hospital in Red Hills on Thursday. Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Advisor to the Telangana Government on SC, ST and Minorities Affairs, and Iftikhar Shareef, First Overseas Citizen, attended the programme as guests of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Azharuddin highlighted the difficulties faced by NRIs in looking after elderly family members in India. He said that although many Indians living overseas have the financial resources to support their parents, geographical distance often prevents them from providing immediate assistance, particularly during medical emergencies.
The initiative highlights the growing need for organised healthcare support for India’s elderly population, particularly as more families have children working and settling overseas
He welcomed the hospital’s initiative, saying it could help address an important concern among overseas Indian families. He also suggested taking awareness programmes to the United States and other countries to reach a wider NRI population.
Shabbir described the initiative as an innovative effort and called for greater international awareness. He also referred to Hyderabad’s medical capabilities and suggested expanding the programme’s reach.
Iftikhar Shareef recommended extending OFC services to old-age homes, home healthcare facilities and rural areas to make medical support accessible beyond major cities.
Hospital representatives said OFC cardholders would be able to access medical services at home, with emergency transportation to hospitals arranged when required.
