By Alphonse Mendonsa
Udupi, Mar 17: A large number of Parishioners of St John the Evangelist Church, Pangla were benefited through the free medical camp organized by the Health Commission of Pangla Parish along with ICYM Pangla, Women’s Association and Catholic Sabha. The free health check-up camp was conducted by Dr TMA Pai Hospital Udupi, under the supervision of Dr Shashikiran, medical director of Dr TMA Pai Hospital with coordination by Dr Edward Lobo, Udupi diocese health commission co-ordinator on Sunday, Mar 16 at the community Hall, Shankerpura.
Honorary guests to the dais namely, Fr Dr Prakash Anil Castelino, parish priest Pangla presided over the programme. Dr Edward Lobo, Udupi diocese health commission coordinator; Narasimha Kamath, TMA Pai Hospital senior marketing manager; Dr Shashikiran, medical superintendent; Dr Aravind Shanbhag, orthopedic; Dr Vinutha, OBG; Dr Reetesh Shetty, surgery; Dr Afzal and Dr Ajay Shenoy of medicine department; John Martis, vice president Parish Pastoral Council; Gabriel Martis, secretary Parish Pastoral Council; Joseph Castelino, Pastoral Commission coordinator; Presilla Quadras, Health Commission coordinator; Veena D’Souza, president Catholic Sabha; Asha Castelino, secretary Women’s Association; and Jeevan Pereira, president, ICYM Pangla were present on the occasion.
The medical camp commenced with a short prayer invoking God’s Blessings by ICYM Members. Precilla Quadras accorded a warm welcome all the honorary guests on dais and the parishioners who attended the medical camp. Jeevan Preira felicitated all the guests with roses followed by lighting of the traditional lamp by Fr Prakash Anil Castelino and all the guests on dais.
Narasimha Kamath speaking on the occasion said that he has been constantly communicating with Dr Edward Lobo to conduct this medical camp for the last six months and due to busy schedule and various other commitments it was not possible and finally today we managed to organize this event. He thanked Dr Edward Lobo and other associations for coordinating this camp.
Medical Director of TMA Pai Hospital, Dr Shashikiran said that in our body there are several silent problems and these silent problems are not very simple. People often put forward the visit to the doctor giving various reasons and neglecting their health. It is very important we timely check our health issues and get medical attention. For that purpose, we organize these check-up camps at various religious places, so that people can get timely advice and consultations from the doctors so that they do the health checkups on the sport and can avoid major health issues.
Speaking on the occasion John Martis, vice president, Pangla Parish echoed Dr Shashikiran’s advice to timely check and identify any health issues through these free health camps and get treatment for the many hidden health issues. He also applauded the efforts taken by various associations of Pangla Parish to organize today’s health checkup camp for the benefit of the people in the area.
Fr Prakash Anil Castelino invoked God’s blessings on the medical camp and said that through this camp let us get rid of fear of ill health and let us live a healthy life. He also highlighted how Jesus Christ during his mission on this earth cured many people of Leprosy and other ailments. He applauded the Dr TMA Pai Hospital team of doctors, especially Dr Shashikiran coordinating this health camp and continuing the same mission today and he wished them God’s blessings to continue their efforts in treating the patients free of cost.
Veena D’Souza, president of Catholic Sabha proposed vote of thanks prior to conducting medical checkups.
Health checkups were conducted on bone density, gynaecology, medicine, surgery and orthopaedic by a team of specialized doctors from Dr TMA Pai Hospital Udupi.
Princia Noronha emceed the stage programme efficiently.