Shri M.M. Mani, Hon’ble Minister for Electricity,
Shri Joyce George, Member of Parliament,
Reverend Brother Yanka Sharma OH, Provincial, Brothers of St. John of God,
Bishop Mar Jose Pulickal, Kanjirapally Diocese,
Reverend Brother Vincent Kochamkunnel OH, Provincial Councilor,
Dr. Boby Sebastian, Medical Superintendent,
Adv. Manoj M. Thomas, Municipal Chairman, Kattappana,
Reverend Brother Antony Palamattom OH, Director,
St. John’s Hospital and Educational Institutions,
Friends in media,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to address this august gathering at the inauguration of the GoldenJubilee celebration of St. John's Hospital at Kattappana, Idukki.
Let me at the outset, convey my best wishes to the management and staff of this hospital, which has been catering to the health needs of the people in this locality during the last five decades. Managed by the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, an international Catholic Congregation, this hospital is well known for the helping hand it has been offering to the needy patients in the nearby villages since 1968. That this organization has been serving 52 countries through 71 hospitals and many centers for the mentally ill and the aged, speaks volumes about the global goodwill it has earned in the world.
I have been informed of about the sacrifice and services of Brother Fortunatus, a German Missionary who founded the Hospitaller Order in India and the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. John of God at Kattappana. I am happy to know that this saintly person who looked after the poor people in the High Ranges and passed away in 2005, is now in the path of Canonization.
In fact, it is such numerous instances of sacrifice and hard work of several well known and unknown people that contributed to the progress made by our State. Such sacrifices also remind us of a past with the threat of diseases and very limited facilities and resources. That this hospital was started at a time when there were no medical facilities in this area reminds us of the difficulties faced by people in those days. Today, the situation has changed with many health care facilities coming up. This hospital has too, grown to a 450 bed multi-specialty institution, serving Idukki districtin Kerala, Cumbum andTheni districts of Tamil Nadu. It is good that the institution is encouraging the growth of knowledge through Pharmaceutical and Paramedical Colleges.
Today, as we begin to rewrite the Kerala model, we realize that nearly 60% of our population depends on private health care institutions, which have been updating their facilities on a regular basis. I am certain that St. John's Hospital also has been contributing its share to sustain the efficient health care system in the State, because, ensuring the well being and health of every individual is a gigantic task which cannot be carried out single-handedly by any State.
Today, the biggest concern in health-care is the heavy cost of medical treatment, especially in diseases like Cancer. As we all know, the Health Policy of Kerala has emphasized the need to reduce the people's out-of-pocket expenses for treatment. The Government is also trying to ensure cheaper but effective services to lessen the financial burden of people. However, such efforts would succeed only with the help of the medical ventures of the private, religious and charitable organizations. I am happy that St. John's Hospital is contributing to such efforts by offering free Cataract surgeries to for the needy patients.
While enhancing the facilities in the Government hospitals and creating a more systematic referral system are certainly good, it is not be possible to drastically reduce people's dependence on private hospitals, within a short period. It is because of the credibility enjoyed by the health care institutions in the private sector. Therefore, I think it will be good if the public health care system thinks of an improved cooperation and networking with private hospitals that offer affordable health care services as part of charitable work.
Since many of the hospitals managed by charitable organizations do not spend money on advertising their services, many people do not know about their services which may be less expensive. I would therefore request the
St. John's Hospital to ensure that information about their services reaches as many people as possible.
I am happy to learn that this hospital has been giving importance to understanding and handling the unique emotional and psychological needs of the Autistic children. Learning disabilities in children have become a serious issue in our society now. I hope your Autism center and Special School would extend counseling to schools too, since they play a great role in minimizing the effects of learning disabilities through inclusive measures.
I would also like to appreciate the attention paid to the health issues and problems of the elderly population through your Pratheeksha Bhavan. Kerala has a large population in the sixty- plus age group and a good number of people are affected by dementia, Parkinson's disease and so on. Sadly, we tend to ignore such conditions as part of the natural process of getting old. It is high time every health care institution took extra interest in handling health issues of the elderly and in educating younger people about health problems that can happen to the elderly in every home.
Compassion and understanding are essential in health-care, especially in the matter of caring for the terminally ill. That a Hospice for AIDS affected people is functioning under this hospital shows the concern for such patients. It is also laudable that the Hospital Society has a housing scheme and a Tsunami rehabilitation scheme called Jeeva Jyothi for Colachel and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu.
Last, but not the least, I would request St. John's Hospitalto include a component that encourages regular physical exercise as a part of lifestyle among the youth in this locality. After all, the aim of a hospital is not limited to curing of diseases; it also includes the propagation of a healthy lifestyle in the community.
I once again greet the Management, Medical, Para-Medical and non Medical Staff and well-wishers of St. John's Hospital and wish this institution a more fruitful future in the service of society.
I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
***
