Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting assistance for Indian paramedics, mainly from Kerala, facing economic challenges and an uncertain future while working in the UAE. Satheesan highlighted that healthcare professionals, especially nurses, are encountering visa-related hurdles in the UAE due to ongoing tensions between the US and Iran in the region, hampering their job prospects and visa processes. Specifically mentioning the difficulties faced by healthcare workers from Kerala in an Iranian hospital in Dubai, Satheesan emphasized the distressing situation they are in.
Satheesan expressed concerns about the potential threat to the jobs and livelihoods of these paramedics due to restrictions in conflict zones, noting that many are nearing the end of their grace period and could face forced deportation if they fail to secure further employment opportunities or professional licensing. He stressed the anxiety among Malayali families in the UAE, whose lives and children’s education are deeply rooted there, urging the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the Embassy of India in the UAE and relevant authorities to find a compassionate resolution on humanitarian grounds.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the significant contribution of Indian healthcare workers, including those in the UAE, in providing essential healthcare services and responding to emergencies. He praised their dedication and service, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting their frontline role in healthcare delivery.
