His Grace Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Metropolitan Archbishop of Changanacherry,
Shri Jose K. Mani MP,
Shri Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA,
Rev. Sr. Flower Tom SH, Provincial Superior, St. Mathew’s Province,
Sr. Alice Manianghatt SH, Director, SH Medical Centre,
Dr. Mathew Parakal, Medical Superintendent, SH Medical Centre,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
I am very happy to inaugurate the Golden Jubilee Celebration of S.H. Medical Center, Kottayam, which is being managed by the Sacred Heart Medical Centre Society under the Syro Malabar Church.
Let me begin by expressing my deep sense of appreciation for the service rendered by the Sacred Heart Congregation in health care and in the general welfare of the people in the last fifty years. Inspired by the noble aim of making each member experience the deeply compassionate love of God through service to the poor, this Congregation and medical center have been following the motto of Redemption through Love and Self Giving.
This Golden Jubilee year is also an occasion to recall the services of Rev. Fr. Mathew Kadalikkattil who started this Congregation in 1911.
Today, as we look at the activities of this Congregation and the Medical Center, we are reminded of many of our saints who believed that Service to man is service to God. It was this philosophy that worked behind the founding of various institutions under the Congregation, which is now serving in 21 States of India and six countries abroad, through health care institutions, old age homes, home for abandoned children, palliative care units etc.
The story of the beginnings of the S.H. Medical Centre as a Cancer Institute in Kottayam in 1968 and its subsequent growth into a 300 bedded multi-specialty hospital is too well known to be narrated here. What I found remarkable is that unlike other medical centers, this hospital began by addressing Cancer, which has been one of the greatest killers in recent history. I presume that the importance accorded by this hospital towards Palliative Care is an outcome of this tradition. It is gratifying to know that this medical center has also adopted three colonies as part of its outreach programmes.
As we all know, an effective health-care system is an indicator of development and well being in any society. It was the health care sector in Kerala which mainly contributed to the Kerala model of development. However, we have realized that the old Kerala model is no longer a model.
Ensuring the well being and health of every individual, is a gigantic task which cannot be carried out single-handedly by any State. That explains why in Kerala, more than 60% of the people now depend on private hospitals for their health needs. And, the heavy cost of medical care, especially in diseases like Cancer, has rendered hundreds of families bankrupt after one member is hospitalized for a long period. It is here that the medical ventures of religious and charitable organizations come as a relief to people.
Here too, the involvement of a Government is expected both in ensuring cheaper but effective services and in easing the financial burden of people by cutting down their out-of-pocket expenditure for health needs. The new Health Policy of the State has suggested several measures to strengthen the health care facilities created by the Government.
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
S.H. Medical Center 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 people, especially children. Learning disabilities in children have become a serious issue in our society now. I hope your Child Guidance and Counseling center extends counseling to schools too, since they play a great role in minimizing the effects of learning disabilities through inclusive measures.
However, I would also like to call your attention to the health issues and problems of the elderly population. Kerala has a large population in the sixty- plus age group and a large number of people are troubled 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 befall the elderly in every home.
Last, but not the least, I would request S.H. Medical Centre to include a component that encourages regular physical exercise as a part of lifestyle among the youth. After all, the aim of a hospital is not limited to curing of diseases; it also includes the propagation of healthy lifestyle in the community.
I once again greet the Management, Medical, Para-Medical and non Medical Staff and well wishers of S.H. Medical Centre 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
