'1st batch of 200 nurses from Libya to return home tomorrow'

In the first phase of evacuation of Keralite nurses from strife-torn Libya, a total of 200 nurses will return home tomorrow, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said.

Addressing a meeting convened by Non Resident Keralites Affairs with heads of various hospitals to discuss issues related to nurses who returned from Iraq recently, he said the first batch of 200 nurses had registered with NoRKA and expressed willingness to come back.

They will start their return journey tomorrow, an official release said.

It was also decided to convene a meeting of Iraq-returned nurses here on August 6 to know their response to job offers from hospitals in the state and abroad.

Various hospitals expressed willingness to provide jobs to those interested in working in Kerala. Representatives of various private hospitals in UAE and Saudi Arabia also gave job assurance to the nurses at the meeting.

A total of 350 nurses who returned from Iraq have registered with NoRKA.

In view of the mandatory licencing examination as required in certain countries, NoRKA would get in touch with the agencies involved in providing training for the purpose.

Steps would be taken to obtain experience certificates of those nurses who could not get them from hospitals in Iraq. This will be worked out through the Indian embassy, an official release said.

Chandy said government was in touch with banks to provide some relief regarding the education loan taken by some nurses.

Banks would be asked to waive off the interest portion and also cancel the liability if the total repayment exceeded the total amount of interest and principal, he said.