To ensure the health security of migrants, Caritas India is providing health insurance to more than 1000 migrants in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Migrant workers struggle to get healthcare even in the best of circumstances due to a lack of health insurance, higher costs, logistical difficulties, a lack of public health infrastructure, and restricted access to these institutions.

The initiative was part of the Caritas India Post COVID support funded by CHARIS, Singapore, to guarantee access to medical treatment for migrants. This programme will also raise awareness among migrants about the importance of investing in their health and encourage them to take advantage of government programmes and services.

The health insurance will provide financial security by covering the costs related to treatment, hospitalisation, free health check-up, and pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses. The health insurance handover ceremonies have been organised on April 24, 2023, at the migrants residence area, Kanjoor with WSE, Ernakulam, and April 26, 2023, at the migrants residence area, Thammanam with ESSS, Verapoly. Both diocesan partners (WSE, Ernakulam, and ESSS, Verapoly) facilitated the health insurance handover ceremonies, where local MLAs, Corporation Division Councillors, and Ward Members participated to ensure their wholehearted support for the programme of Caritas India.

“Health care and protection is an important area of activity that Caritas India is implementing very efficiently across the country. Caritas takes the lead in ensuring all ways to protect people’s health,” said Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely in his interaction with the migrants.

The health insurance distribution was officially inaugurated by Shri. Anwar Sadath, MLA, Aluva at Kanoor, and by Shri. T.J. Vinod, MLA, Ernakulam at Thammanam, by lighting the lamp. Shri. Anwar said in his inaugural speech that the positions taken by Caritas for the health care of the people in Kerala today are very commendable. The Ashakiranam Cancer Care Campaign is a huge and exemplary step forward in this regard. Even during the COVID time, Caritas India presented excellent work to Kerala. This initiative by Caritas for the health and safety of migrant workers makes Caritas shine brighter.

The Executive Director of Caritas India, Fr. Paul Moonjely, presided over the function and distributed the health insurance cards for the migrant workers. He explained about the activities carried out by the Catholic Church in India and specifically by Caritas India across the nation in the crucial time of the COVID pandemic. He also added that, apart from insurance, medical kit schemes, COVID vaccination, health awareness, and medical camps have also been carried out by Caritas India for migrant workers in various states. Fr. Paul expressed that “the workers work in an environment that makes them more vulnerable to health problems. Most of them live at the work site or in slum areas. It is really challenging for migrant workers; here Caritas is approaching them to secure their health”.

“The activities of the Catholic Church and Caritas India for marginalised people like migrant workers are exemplary. This scheme, which has just been implemented for migrant workers, is the need of the hour and an area that they are very much looking forward to. We were able to see the progress of Caritas work by understanding the real needs of the migrants in this activity as well,” said Shri. T. J. Vinod, MLA, Ernakulam, while appreciating the services done by Caritas India during the past years.
The family insurance cards were distributed to 240 migrants in the Ernakulam district. Panchayath President, Municipal Councillor, and Ward Member participated to express their support and solidarity and deliver their felicitations for the programme. Ms. Saritha Babu, Ward Member, said that “after the floods in 2018, Caritas India started working for the migrant community in Kerala. Since then, Caritas has been able to travel with these people and work to fulfil their needs”. She also wished, saying “Let this action be implemented for the health and safety of the migrants and reach more people”.

An orientation session was organised to explain the insurance scheme and its legal procedures and processes very precisely to the migrant communities. Along with this, medical kits consisting of nine items were also distributed to the selected migrant workers. The programme was officially concluded with a vote of thanks by the community members. After the programme, Fr. Paul interactions with the gathered migrants to hear their voices and challenges. This gave them a greater sense of comfort and a strong insight that there are people to be within any crisis they face.