Bangalore: CHAI to celebrate 70th anniversary, pay homage to Sr Mary Glowrey
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Oct 25: The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), one of the world’s largest non-profit associations in the health sector, is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
The two-day celebrations would start Friday at the St John’s National Academy of health Sciences in Bangalore and main function will be held on Saturday, October 26.
The Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Bernard Moras will be presiding over the public function on Saturday with Karnataka Health Minister U T Khader and Home Minister K J George as the chief guests.
CHAI will also be celebrate its founder Sr (Dr) Mary Glowrey being named as a ‘Servant of God,’ the first step to be made a Saint.
CHAI was founded by Sr Glowrey in 1943 and presently has an expansive base of 3,412 member institutions, including 2,663 health centres, 417 secondary care hospitals, 183 tertiary care hospitals, 199 social service societies apart from 5 medical colleges and 120 nursing schools and colleges throughout India.
Sr Dr Mary Glowrey, the founder of CHAI, was an Australian Sister-Doctor belonging to the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (JMI), and had spent several decades in the service of the poorest of the poor in Andhra Pradesh. She died in Bangalore on May 5, 1957. She was declared a Servant of God on March 27, 2013.
Incidentally, Sr Mary Glowery was instrumental in first suggesting the establishment of the St John’s Medical College and Hospital by the Catholic Bishops Council of India (CBCI), New Delhi.
About 1,000 health care providers from its member institutions are expected to attend the celebrations, according to a press release from CFAI Director-General Rev Dr Tomi Thomas.
“The 70th anniversary has been made memorable with CHAI being given Special Consultative Status by the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council,” the press release said.
A strategic discussion paper would be presented during the two-day programme which will focus on the future thrusts of members of the organization in the field of mental health, geriatric care, palliative care and non-communicable diseases.
Every year, around 21 million people access health care facilities provided by CHAI’s member institutions across the country.
The program would see the launching of two special initiatives of CHAI-- Children’s Health Club and Social Workers’ Association of India.
Other programmes designed as part of the anniversary celebrations are CHAI Nephroplus/Kideny Care Week, CHAI Vision Week and Essay competition for CHAI member institutions, said Fr George Knnanthanam, Director of CHAI Vision project.
Some of the prominent activities taken up by CHAI are TB and Diabetes testing programme covering over 30,000 people across the country along with blood donation camps. As many as 7,000 cataract surgeries and 2000 dialyses for the poor were undertaken by CHAI through its member institutions during the year.