Pics:- Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Nov 16: A charitable healthcare initiative, Trinity Medicare Service, offering dialysis treatment at a 50% concessional rate for underprivileged kidney patients in Udupi district, was inaugurated on Sunday, November 16, at the Milagres Church Hall, Kallianpur.
The project was launched by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Udupi Diocese. “Loving God means loving the poor, the needy and those who have no support,” he said. “God looks first at people who cry in pain. Joseph is caring for such people through this noble work. Wealth becomes meaningful only when it is shared. The poor are the real wealth of God, and those who serve them become channels of His love. When Joseph approached me about this project, I guided him to collaborate with the Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh so the benefits could reach more people. I thank Joseph, Freeda and Basil for taking up this charity initiative and pray that God blesses them abundantly.”
Dr Megha Pai, MBBS, MD (Medicine), DM (Nephrology), spoke about the escalating cost of dialysis and the need for health awareness. “Dialysis is extremely expensive, which is why government support and donor contributions are crucial,” she said.
“In addition to dialysis, patients face hidden expenses such as insulin and medicines, making treatment even harder for poor and middle-class families. Our elders lived healthier lives due to simple habits, clean food and a good environment. Today, drinking sufficient water, eating vegetables, exercising for 30 minutes daily and regular screening are essential. Kidney health must be monitored closely. I thank the three people behind this initiative, which will help hundreds of patients,” she added.
Motivational speaker Rafeeq Master said, “I cancelled my Abu Dhabi flight because this is holy work, and I wanted to be present to receive blessings. Marks in exams like JEE or CET are not more important than having a kind heart. God gives wealth only to those who share it. Joseph, Freeda and Basil are pillars of support for the poor. As Mother Teresa said, ‘If you cannot feed a hundred people, feed one.’ I thank Joseph for inviting me to this meaningful inauguration.”
Fr Denis D’Sa, PRO of the Udupi Diocese, remarked, “Joseph has formed his own Trinity of service—Joseph, Freeda and Basil mirroring the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Another Trinity in this project is the Catholic Sabha, Goretti Hospital and Joseph Menezes’ family. The Catholic Sabha must reach out to every needy patient with care. Joseph always says, ‘How can I be happy when others are sad? I am because we are.’ This attitude is what makes him successful. May God bless this project.”
Entrepreneur and philanthropist Joseph Elias Menezes shared emotional reflections from his life. “People call me a businessman, but I am a simple man following one principle—one life, one wife, one child, one bank account,” he said.
“Today, I am happiest because of my two grandchildren who inspire me. I have faced many challenges and was even declared dead seven times, but God saved me through doctors. Charity begins with simple acts like talking to those who suffer. My grandchild once said he wanted to give a stick to the poor so they could walk even when they had no food. That touched my heart deeply and inspired the Manna Service,” he added.
Joseph Crasta of Snehalaya was felicitated for his service. “For 10 years, Snehalaya has served people in need,” he said. “Last December, we began the Manna Service. On the birthday of Joseph’s grandchild, Joseph pledged Rs 3 lac to support a food programme for Wenlock Hospital for the next 100 years. Joseph ensures every project he starts truly benefits people. God bless Joseph Menezes, Freeda Rego and Basil Pinto,” he added.
The initiative is a joint venture of the Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh and entrepreneur Joseph Menezes of Sasthan, supported by Freeda Rego and Basil Pinto.
In the initial phase, dialysis services will be available at Goretti Hospital, Santhekatte–Kallianpur, and Mahesh Hospital, Brahmavar, with plans to extend the service to Karkala and Kundapura.
The scheme is open to patients of all religions and communities across Udupi district. Eligible patients may apply through their local Catholic Sabha units with a recommendation letter.
Registered beneficiaries will receive an ID card to avail themselves of dialysis at 50% discounted rates.
The Menezes family is already well known for its charitable work through Snehalaya Charitable Trust’s Manna Project, which has provided free lunch to patient attendants at Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, for several years.
The family has pledged to sustain the project for the next 100 years. Under the new dialysis scheme, patients will pay 50% of the cost, while the remaining 50% will be covered by the team through the Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh.
As a symbolic start, three patients from different communities received concession cards. Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo also unveiled the banner of Sumadhur Sanz, scheduled for April 5, 2026 at 5:30 pm at Mount Rosary Church Grounds. Funds raised from this event will support Trinity Medicare Service and help purchase a new dialysis machine for Goretti Hospital.
Ronald D Almeida, president of Catholic Sabha Udupi Pradesh, welcomed the gathering. Joeal D Almeida delivered the vote of thanks, while Alwyn Andrade and Louis D’Souza compered the event.
Those present included Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Dr Megha Pai, Rafeeq Master, Fr Denis D’Sa, Joseph Elias Menezes, Ronald D Almeida, Santhosh Carnelio, Joeal D Almeida, Garfield Urban Lewis and others.
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