Health insurance policy for Church-run institutions launched

(May 02, 2012) The Catholic Health Association of India, CHAI has launched a national health insurance policy for employees of Church-run institutions and a solar energy initiative. In keeping with its “wellness and greenness” projects, the twin schemes were launched on Tuesday in CHAI's central office at Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh State. The CHAI National Health Insurance can be availed by any member of the Church-run institutions including priests, religious, seminarians and employees. Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Tomi Thomas, Director-General of CHAI said, “the health insurance is unique in several respects and it is our collective responsibility to see that it keeps going and growing.” He said it will prove a boon to the poor and those belonging to the middle income group. Archbishop Vincent M Concessao of Delhi, who presided over the function, said the “health insurance would prove beneficial to people especially these days, when health care costs are prohibitively high.” He lauded the efforts of the director-general and his team for the various innovative programs and wished them all success.
The health card was distributed to all the provincials and superiors by Fr. Thomas. Founded in 1943 by Sr Mary Glowrey, an Australian sister-doctor, the Catholic Health Association of India is today one of the world's largest non-governmental organizations.