Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 3: The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan initiative was conducted across various locations in and around Mangaluru during September-October 2025, with a strong focus on women and child health awareness, empowerment, and wellness.
Organized by Father Muller Charitable Institutions units—Father Muller Medical College, Father Muller College of Nursing, Father Muller College of Allied Health Sciences, and Father Muller College—in collaboration with community partners, the series of camps included programs on women’s health, family well-being, child safety, accident prevention, nutrition awareness, and mental health. Special sessions were held for Anganwadi workers, school students, mothers, children, and the elderly, ensuring wide community participation.
The efforts of Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, director, FMCI; Dr Micheal Santhumayor, administrator, FMMC/FMCOAHS/FMCOP; Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, administrator, FMMCH; and Dr Antony Sylvan D’Souza, dean, FMMC, along with the MC committee members, faculty and students, ensured the successful execution of this abhiyaan.
The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan is a community health initiative by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, focusing on women’s wellness, preventive healthcare, and family empowerment. The initiative began with the birthday celebration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and culminated on Gandhi Jayanti. Father Muller Charitable Institutions took the lead in September 2025 by conducting a series of awareness and wellness programs in Mangaluru and surrounding regions, especially rural and unreached areas. With the aim of reaching out to women, children, the elderly, and families, the institution extended its mission of “Heal and Comfort” beyond hospital premises into the community.
The first program was held on September 17 at St Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, inaugurated by Fr Wilfred Prakash D’Souza and Dr Rio D’Souza, with a talk by dietician Sandis on the importance of nutrition in general health, particularly adolescent women’s health. On the same day, the department of speech and hearing of Father Muller College organized a free speech and hearing camp as part of International Hearing-Impaired Week along with the department of ENT, FMMC, while the department of mental health nursing conducted an extension program on resilience at Maria Nilaya, Jeppu.
On September 18, a general health and women’s wellness camp was conducted in collaboration with the CISF Unit, Mangaluru, where doctors from Father Muller Medical College Hospital engaged participants in discussions on women’s health at the CISF Barracks in the old Mangaluru Airport.
This was followed by a program on September 19 at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, focusing on child safety and accident prevention under the guidance of the department of child health nursing. The next camp was held on September 21 at Uppinangady Church, with Fr Jerald D’Souza and other dignitaries encouraging over 150 participants to adopt preventive healthcare practices. Check-ups for women and children were conducted in association with the Indian Cancer Society and CHC Uppinangady with the help of Rotary Club Uppinangady.
The momentum continued on September 22 with a health awareness camp at Mangaluru Central Railway Station, supported by chief medical officer Dr Swathi and Santhosh, attended by the director of FMCI and dean of Father Muller College.
On September 23, an awareness camp on palliative care was conducted at Ave Maria Centre, Vamanjoor, under the guidance of Dr Lavina M Noronha, highlighting the value of compassion and holistic healthcare. On September 26, two significant programs were organized—“Together for Elders” at Olavina Halli Rehabilitation Centre, Kinya, and a school health program at Raymond’s English Medium School, Vamanjoor, which educated 147 students on the prevention of malaria and dengue.
Further, on September 27, an awareness camp for women and children was organized near Chitrapura with the participation of over 200 attendees, supported by Father Muller Medical College administrator Dr Micheal Santhumayor and local community leaders. On September 30, at the Father Muller Medical College Hospital campus, Kankanady, Dr Ektha of OBG educated expecting mothers on healthy living and postpartum issues. The program offered health check-ups, consultations, and counseling sessions, benefiting a large number of women and community members.
On October 1 and 2, the department of OBG focused on creating health awareness among women attending their antenatal check-ups. The department of cardiology also launched the “Healthy Heart Check-up” campaign coinciding with the Swasth Nari campaign.
Through these initiatives, Father Muller Charitable Institutions demonstrated their commitment to women’s health, preventive medicine, and family empowerment. The active participation of doctors, faculty, students, community leaders, and social organizations made the month-long campaign impactful. The Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan has strengthened the bond between healthcare providers and the community, reaffirming the institution’s vision of building a healthier and stronger society.