The coronavirus crisis that has affected Australia has a huge impact on Indian nationals residing in the country.
Although many organisations have stepped forward to support them, the Indian Medical Association of Australia’s Queensland Chapter is also supporting anyone in Australia who needs medical advice.
As part of this, IMA Australia launched a virtual clinic on March 14th, run by a team of Registered Medical Practitioners via telephone.
“Although focused on the Indian diaspora, anyone in Australia who needs medical advice can give us a call between 4 pm and 6 pm every Sunday,” Dr Neeraj Khanna, the convenor of IMA’s Queensland Chapter told SBS Malayalam.
“A team of five doctors have volunteered for three Sundays now and we have received around 41 calls from across Australia.
“It is not a substitute for any GP service or GP clinics, but anyone who needs any medical advice can call us,” adds Dr Neeraj.
Indian Nationals and students in need
In addition to this, the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland with the support of the High Commission of India in Canberra is supplying food and necessities to those Indian nationals and students who are in need.
Having incurred job loss, international students are one of the groups that are struggling hard to cope up with the corona virus situation in Australia. The organisation aims at helping them in various ways during their hardship.
“All Indian citizens residing in Australia for purposes of work, higher education or on a short-term visit are requested to register themselves with the High Commission of India, Canberra,” the statement reads.
“This is an initiative of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland and we are working together with the High Commission. We are providing support to the Indian nationals especially Indian students who are in trouble,” Shyam Das, the President of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland told SBS Malayalam.
“We are providing free food, groceries and all those basic needs to those who contact us. We have formed two forums, one for the elders and the other for the students.
"We have spoken to many universities to help the students in their studies and defer the payment of fees. Many students have lost their jobs and so they its hard for them to pay their fees."
Shyam Das says that many universities have agreed to this request.
"Many universities have agreed to defer their payments and many of the students are doing virtual classes online. We are also helping students get jobs in essential services like petrol pumps. We are also in touch with Adani group to assist students who lost their jobs,” adds Shyam Das.
"We started this initiative on the second week of March and are providing support to those in need anywhere in Queensland. Our volunteers are out there delivering food items for those who cannot pick them.
"We are getting huge response. The Federation of Indian Communities of Victoria and Western Australia have also contacted us to know about this,” said Shyam Das.
Apart from this, the Indian Consulate is also providing various consular services. The Consulate has started two temporary contact numbers to help with delivery of visa, OCI, passport, police clearance etc.
They have also released an emergency contact number for those applicants requiring emergency consular services.
“Applicants requiring emergency consular services must contact at ‘0430 020 828’ or cons.melbourne@mea.gov.in explaining the urgency, for assessment of their request and guidance regarding further process,” Indian Consulate in Melbourne has announced.
