May 24th 2013 saw the inauguration of this facility at Chinnabommagikulam , a village in Nemallur Panchayat, Gummidipoondi Taluk of Thiruvallur District of Tamilnadu. Needless to say that the inspiration to start this facility came from our patients – the few of them who were admitted in Jeevodaya with advanced cancer. Representatives from that area requested us to extend our facilities to their villages as there were quite a few patients suffering from cancer who lacked proper medical care.
The foundation stone for the first phase of the project – which houses out-patient clinic and residence for the staff – the FCC nuns – was laid on 26th 0f January 2012. It took nearly 15 months to complete this phase.
We would like to thank the Government of Tamilnadu for encouraging our venture by giving exemptions on stamp duty and registration fee while buying the land - for as per the existing policy of Jeevodaya all the services which will be rendered here, which will primarily benefit the lower socio-economic group, will be free of cost.
We would like to thank our main sponsors, TIMKEN FOUNDATION, (introduced to us by Mr. Newton on the advice of Dr.Udaya Mahadevan), Regi Abraham of ABAN, Sudheer John Peter of Sheenlac, Cholayil, Edwin Rosario Swamykannu, our builder Mr. Xavier and other well-wishers for giving a head start to the project.
Blessing ceremony of the convent and clinic was officiated in a simple ceremony by His Excellency Mar Pauly Kannookedan, Bishop of Irinjalakuda and Bishop in-charge of Syro-Malabar mission on Friday the 24th of May 2013. Among those who attended the function were Sister Provincial of FCC and Chairperson of Jeevodaya Trust, Council members of FCC, Rev. Fr. Jose Pallaty- Co-ordinator of Chennai Mission, Dr. Manjula Krishnaswamy, Medical Director of Jeevodaya, Dr. Ponni, Joint Medical Director of Jeevodaya (who inaugurated the clinic), Mr. Newton- Head of Human Resourses TIMKEN Foundation and a small group of workers and well- wishers.
Medical Wing will be headed by Dr. Manjula Krishnaswamy.
To start with we shall be conducting a survey of all the 10 villages in Nemallur Panchayat, to assess their medical needs. The plan is to systematically address every village, to create awareness and to screen them for common cancers, namely oral, breast and cervical cancers and register them for periodic follow up. Though our primary focus will be on cancer, we intend to have a holistic programme for improving the health and literacy of the community. The services will be extended to the rest of the villages in Gummidipoondi taluk in the second phase.
Children’s needs in terms of health and education will be addressed by introducing out of curriculum activities to inculcate life values in the young mind. Work is under way to enroll the local children in a club that will engage them in group activities. It will also provide a platform for them to develop and showcase their individual talents.
Our long term project which we have envisaged is to provide specialised care facilities for the elderly and a rehabilitation program for the physically challenged children.
Yes, we always (day) dream big but we also know that…………………………………….. there are miles to go before we sleep!