OFC Cards to help NRIs ensure medical care for elderly parents

Hyderabad: Recognising the difficulties faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in caring for their ageing parents and elderly relatives back home, Western Hospital has launched Overseas Family Care (OFC) Cards to ensure timely medical assistance and healthcare support for senior citizens in India.

Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare and Enterprises Mohammed Azharuddin launched the OFC Cards at Western Hospital, 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 as guests of honour.

Azharuddin said caring for parents and elderly family members, particularly ensuring their medical wellbeing, was an act of worship. He said NRIs, despite having financial resources, often struggle to personally attend to their parents because they live thousands of miles away. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable during medical emergencies when immediate assistance or transportation to hospitals may not be available.

He expressed satisfaction over the initiative, saying OFC Cards could address these concerns and provide much-needed support to families. He congratulated the hospital management and suggested organising promotional programmes in the United States and other countries to reach a wider NRI audience.

Mohammed Ali Shabbir described the initiative as an innovative experiment and stressed the need for international publicity and greater awareness. Recalling Hyderabad’s medical achievements, he cited a successful open-heart surgery performed on a young Pakistani girl as an example of the city’s medical expertise.

Iftikhar Shareef pledged his support and suggested expanding OFC services to include old-age homes and home healthcare facilities. He also recommended extending medical services to rural areas and districts.

Earlier, hospital representatives explained that OFC cardholders could access medical services at home, while emergency transportation to the hospital could also be arranged.

Dr Mustafa Faisal, Dr Mohammed Akbar, Dr MA Muteen, Dr Sarang, Dr Hussaini and MESCO Secretary Dr Mohammed Iftikharuddin attended the programme.