Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jun 16: Lombard Memorial Hospital (LMH) celebrated its centenary year on Thursday June 15. In memory, a CT scan section was inaugurated by Bishop Hemachandra Kumar.
Kumar Salins blessed the occasion through prayer.
Hemachandra Kumar, bishop of KSD said, “There is no life without thoughts and there is no work without expectation. The organisation which has interest and awareness to work for the people and I pray it will live a long life. Without interest, nothing can be achieved and without prayer nothing is possible. Now everything is available on your fingertips. But earlier, when this place was backward, Lombard family built a hospital and helped the people. Having a vision is easy but achieving it is difficult. When it comes to health, everything must change according to time. Dr Sushil Jathanna was successful in this, as he kept upgrading the hospital according to the situation. Dr Sushil Jathanna questioned me what is your next step. Now our challenge is to think about next hundred years and to build the hospital. He assured his support at all times and expressed his views for the stability of hospital. All staff of LMH haves been supporting us in each stage for which I thank all of them.”
Dr Sushil Jathanna, director of mission hospital said, “God is the reason for everything. LMH completed its 100 years only with God’s blessings. LMH is successful not because of me it is only because of its staff. They never questioned me, I thank all the staff who supported me. They are the reason for all LMH development actives. Even Bishop Hemachandra Kumar supported me in every stage. For the success of any organisation, a clear vision and strategy is a must, and God’s grace is also needed. From the past one month, Udupi district is facing the problem of water shortage, but by God's grace, we never faced such problem as we had enough water in our well. I thank the people who built those wells. The well they built in those days are useful till today. Hence, the work we do today must be remembered and be useful in future. In the early days, LMH was called a maternity hospital. Prayer plays a major role in this hospital.
"Dental clinic, CT scan, laparoscopic and laser surgery unit, two ICU, oxygen plant, sewage treatment plant, physiotherapist, dialysis unit, 250 watt transformer are the new additions to the hospital. UBMC is our new paramedical hospital. We are planning to build a fertility centre here. As per everyone’s demand, we are also planning to start a medical college in minority quota in Udupi. My wish is to turn this hospital into a green hospital. As quality service is important, we received the NABH certificate. God is best physician and prayer is best medicine,” he said.
Dr Paul C Salins said, “I used to play in this hospital. LMH is like my home. Unless we sacrifice something, nothing can be accomplished. It is Dr Sushil Jathanna's sacrifice that we are reaping the fruits. The corridors of this hospital have seen more prayers than the walls of churches. My mother was the first women medical superintendent in this hospital. I remember my mother being concerned of Lombard hospital's survival after major medical colleges were being constructed in the vicinity, and the increase in competition. However, she remained confident towards the vision and mission of the hospital which is to serve people as service to God. The service provided by the nurses in the mission hospital, their dedication, humanness, compassion, cannot be matched by corporate hospitals in Udupi. It is great privilege and honour to be in this stage on this occasion. The hospital is built on prayer and is continued with God’s grace.”
Jayakar Shetty Indrali, president of Udupi district cooperative union said, “I was born in this hospital. As century ago, this hospital was built with big dream and limited money. Dr Sushil Jathanna completely changed the image of this hospital. LMH hospital is only to serve people and not to make money. We are not permanent on this earth but the organisation is permanent so let it work for the welfare of the society. I wish a medical college to be started in Udupi.”
Vincent Palanna, treasurer of KSD said, “It is very difficult to reach this level but LMH has succeeded. Everyone has weakness and in the same way, Dr Sushil Jathanna’s weakness is development of the hospital. He has always worked for God. We will have a medical college. We have 21 acres of land and a hospital. So definitely, we will have medical college with all of your support.”
The programme began with the procession from Christian High School to LMH. Bishop Hemachandra Kumar inaugurated the CT scan and Bank of Baroda ATM in the hospital premises. The college choir sang the prayer song. Various cultural performances were presented by the students.
Dr Sushil Jathanna was facilitated on the occasion.
Microbiologist Narayan P welcomed the gathering. Vishal Shiri, president of UBMC, Mumbai, Noel Amanna, vice president of National Council of YMCA, Ramesh Kanchan, president of Udupi block Congress committee, Ivan Soans, Kumar Salins, Fr Victor, vice president of Karnataka Southern diocese, and others were present.