Compassionate Care · Healing Service · Human Dignity
The Diocese of Kumbakonam serves the health needs of people through its institutions, extending medical care, rehabilitation, education and community health services.
The Society of the Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre
Seeing the health hazards in present-day society, the Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre resolved to offer qualitative medical care to all people without discrimination of caste, creed, colour or social status.
The Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre was started in 1916 and from then onwards diversified many of its activities. It has a credibility of handling leprosy eradication work for the past 110 years.
The second category of leprosy patients are those who are healed and become old. They are not accepted by their families or do not have anybody to take care of them. This category of patients stays at the Centre till death. Food, clothing, lodging and other requirements are provided free of cost.
St. Stanislaus Special Middle School was started for children affected by leprosy. Early detection leads to easier cure. Children are treated and incorporated into normal schools. Physically challenged children are also admitted to St. Stanislaus Middle School.
The General Hospital was started in 1998 for the general public. Its services and departments have developed over the years.
Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre established.
General Hospital started for the general public.
Maternity services started.
College of Nursing started.
M.Sc., GNM, PB.B.Sc. and DMLT courses started by the institution.
Cardiac Department started.
Department of Urology started.
Dialysis service started.
Lithotripsy service started for kidney-stone treatment without surgery.
The College of Nursing was started in 2009. In 2012, M.Sc., GNM, PBBSc and DMLT courses were started by the institution.
Sagayamatha Medical Centre · Pullambadi, Trichy District
Started in 1961 to serve the villagers in and around Pullambadi.
Moved by the suffering of villagers in and around Pullambadi, where medical facilities were practically non-existent, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Dr. Paul Arulsamy, Bishop of Kumbakonam Diocese, invited the S.M.M.I. Sisters at Kumbakonam to open a dispensary at Pullambadi. He granted six acres of church land and financial support for this purpose.
Rev. Mother Marie Francois of Holy Angels’ Convent, Kumbakonam, took up the work and also contributed financial assistance for establishing a dispensary-cum-maternity ward.
The first structure came up in 1962 as a roadside medical centre with an outpatient department and four beds. This humble beginning has developed into a 100-bedded rural hospital through the efforts of the then local parish priest, Rev. Fr. M. Arputham, who was entrusted by the Diocese with developing the hospital.
Through his influence and contacts in Switzerland, Germany and France, Rev. Fr. M. Arputham generated funds to purchase additional land and construct buildings and infrastructure for the rural hospital.
At present, Sagayamatha Medical Centre is run by the Diocese of Kumbakonam. The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pondicherry, provide support in implementing health care activities to achieve the objectives of the society.
The roadside Medical Centre has developed along the following lines of progress and service:
General Medical, Surgical and Maternity Unit
Leprosy Control Unit – National Leprosy Eradication Program
Multipurpose Health Workers (F) Training School
Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program
Integrated Counselling and Testing for HIV/AIDS
Community Based Rehabilitation Program
Speciality medical care
Laboratory Technician Course
Skin services
Cardiac, Hypertension and Diabetic clinics
ENT services
Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy
Dental services
Urban Leprosy Elimination Programme (Trichy and Thuraiyur)
Outreach programmes, including medical awareness camps organized by SMC and DPWA and sponsored by Wells for Life
Disability Prevention and Medical Rehabilitation Programme (DPMR) in Ariyalur District
All services have been well accepted by the people and recognized by the health authorities.
Project headquarters Pullambadi is a selection-grade village, rural in nature, situated on the Tiruchy to Ariyalur State Highways Road, 30 km away from Tiruchy, in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, South India.
Most people are engaged in agriculture and depend on the monsoon. During summer, people migrate to urban areas in search of jobs. The male-to-female ratio is 1000:960, literacy rate is 60%, and 30% of the population live below the poverty line. Six cement factories and one sugar factory in the area provide employment opportunities for local people and people from other areas.
Due to drinking-water scarcity, communicable diseases are common. Leprosy and Tuberculosis are endemic in the area. HIV/AIDS concerns are also described in the institution's profile in relation to poverty, low female literacy, male dominance, population migration and the presence of industries.
The local village administration is described as stable and smooth. People live as a single unit without discrimination of caste, creed and religion. The local Government supports NGOs and cooperates in implementing health care activities.
The institution is registered as Sagayamatha Health Educational Social Service Society under Society Act 27 of 1975, Sl. No. 7 of 1984, dated 31.01.1984. It is a charitable institution managed by a Governing Body and General Body.
To provide support leprosy services to the Government Health System in the area and provide comprehensive care to people affected by leprosy.
To provide hospitalized care for leprosy patients with complications such as ulcers, reactions and other general health problems.
To rehabilitate needy leprosy patients with deformities.
To identify TB cases in the area, bring them under treatment and reduce the incidence of TB.
To educate the population about Tuberculosis and encourage voluntary reporting.
To create awareness about AIDS/HIV among the general population and groups with high-risk behaviour.
To provide care for HIV and AIDS patients and strengthen Information, Education and Communication activities in collaboration with TANSACS.
To provide general health care to the local community, including medical, surgical and maternity inpatient and outpatient care.
To provide intensive health care for medical and surgical emergencies through an intensive care unit.
To provide comprehensive dental health care through a community dental health programme.
To conduct outreach programmes such as mobile clinics, health education programmes and free medical camps in the rural area, including 202 villages in the project.
To train qualified health workers through the ANM Training School – 30 students per year.
To train qualified laboratory technicians through the Medical Laboratory Technician Course affiliated to the All India Institute of Medical Technologists, Kolkata – 40 students per year.
To prepare competent and skilled health workers to serve rural areas and improve the quality of life through good nursing care.
To serve the sick, especially the underprivileged, irrespective of caste and creed, with love, compassion and dedication. We seek to provide efficient and effective health care through a holistic approach, community orientation and primary health care.
Micro Cellular Rubber footwear for persons affected by leprosy.
Community-based rehabilitation.
Educational support.
Health education to create awareness about leprosy, TB and other communicable diseases.
30 ANM students complete the two-year ANM Course every year.
20 DMLT students complete the one-year course every year.
From 2013, the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph, Guntur Province, represented by Rev. Sr. Regina Mary Chinnappan, has supported the Diocese of Kumbakonam in implementing health care activities at Sagayamatha Hospital, Pullambadi.
On 15.10.2016, the Sisters of the Teresian Carmelite Congregation, Chengalpet, represented by Rev. Sr. Verony, began supporting the Diocese in implementing health care activities at Sagayamatha Medical Centre, Pullambadi.
Health Ministry · Diocese of Kumbakonam
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