College alumnis help cancer treatment of workers

A group of college alumnis representing 57 colleges will help potential cancer patients from the UAE labour camps by arranging an insurance scheme that will partially cover the high cost of treating the deadly diseases.

Termed Snehasparsham, touch of love, All Kerala Colleges Alumni Forum (Ackaf), which represents former students from 57 major colleges, is arranging the treatment scheme in association with the Regional Cancer Research Center, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, the only major hospital that offers comprehensive treatment for the deadly disease. 

Ackaf is donating Indian Rupees 50000 to meet the daily food expenses of the cancer center patients and the Cancer Care cards will help 500 labourers from the UAE. The scheme was inaugurated on Friday afternoon at a colourful function, Etisalat Academy, Mohsina.

“We have distributed lifetime cancer care treatment cards  for about 500 Indian labourers, randomly selected from various labour camps in the UAE.

"This is part of the Cancer Care for Life Programme of the RCC. The beneficiaries will get cancer treatment for a maximum of Indian Rupees, 10,0000 and for additional Dh 33 premium each, they will get Indian Rupees 50,000 worth of treatment.

"This is not a very high amount for cancer treatment, but we are starting a scheme in the UAE to extend a helping hand,” said Sanu Mathew, the newly elected President of Ackaf. 

None of the 500 members selected for the scheme are cancer patients and the cards can be used only two years after their enrolment, he elaborated. Ackaf is also planning to distribute 10,000 food packets during the Ramadan period in labour camps. 

The alumni forum is also starting a cancer awareness camp for the labourers with the help of Metro Medical Center, Ajman.
 
The alumnis also announced a number of charity initiatives in the UAE to help poor and downtrodden sections of society. “Many of our member colleges have scholarship scheme to help poor and meritorious students. We will be doing a number of other charity projects in the year 2012. The cancer care life membership scheme will  help labourers meet part of the cancer treatment expenses.

"Fortunately none of the 500 members in the scheme have cancer. The cost of treating cancer is very high and many patietns and their families cannot afford such high cost,” said Baker Ali, General Secretary, Ackaf. During the year, the forum will also organize a major Onam feast, and conduct a charity marathon to help the relevant UAE bodies.

Established in 1998, Ackaf, affiliated to the Indian Community Welfare Committee, represents professionals and employees working in the UAE. They are members of 57 active college alumnis, who form the forum members. It is one of the largest socio political organizations representing the Indian community in the UAE.

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