PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
MOST REV. DR. M. DEVADASS AMBROSE DD, LSS, STD,
BISHOP OF THANJAVUR
“People are called to joy. Nevertheless, each day they experience many forms of suffering and pain” (St. Pope John Paul II) Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Iaici, 53: AAS 81(1989). Therefore, the Lord, in his promises of redemption, announces the joy of the heart that comes from liberation, from sufferings (Is 30:29; 35:10; Bar 4:29). “He is the one who delivers from every evil” (Wis 16:8). Indeed, participating in an empathetic manner in the life of the sufferer is experiencing and witnessing the healing Jesus in day today life.
To actualize Jesus’ healing ministry, one of his messianic revelations, Rt. Rev. R. A Sundaram, the first bishop of Thanjavur started ‘Our Lady of Health Hospital’ his brain child, on 5th April 1961 at Arulananda Nagar which was once the outskirts of Thanjavur. In those days, Raja Mirasuthar Govt. Hospital was the only notable hospital in Thanjavur. In these circumstances this hospital had a humble beginning with 16 beds as ‘Our Lady of Health Maternity Clinic’ for the mother and child care and for the service of the poor and needy. Never, one can forget the dedicated and continued service of the SMMI sisters who were the oxygen to this hospital. Most Rev. Packiam Arokiasamy, the successor to the first bishop continued his predecessor’s patronage.
In 1997, when I became the bishop of Thanjavur, the scientific advancements in the fields of medicine were peaking to equal the number and kind of diseases. Many multi- specialty hospitals began to mushroom in and around Thanjavur. But the poor, needy and the middle class people were searching for a quality treatment at an affordable fee structure. ‘The World Day of the Sick’ was observed at Vailankanni in 2002 and it was an inspiration for me to concentrate more on the healing ministry of Jesus. To provide more facilities and accommodation for the patients, a South East wing for the administrative block and more private rooms were built. This was blessed on 2nd February 2003 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Pedro Lopez Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio to India. Later the North Wing was built with operation theaters and labour rooms.
To feel proud, next to the government hospital, Our Lady of Health Hospital has become the second famous in the pediatric department. In the following years, the hospital witnessed lots of development in the forms of well equipped operation theaters, ICU, Casualty, Outpatient department, Pharmacy, Labs, Consultation rooms, Canteen and private rooms for the patients. Today there are more than 200 beds and it has become the hospital of the poor and the middle class. An administrative Board has been constituted to administer the hospital which meets twice in a year and gives directions for the day today running of the hospital and its further development.
The off-shoot and another feather to the cap of this hospital was the birth of Our Lady of Health Nursing School in 2007 and Our Lady of Nursing College in 2008. These nursing school and college students mainly depend on this parent hospital for their training. Today, every year more than 80 girls are getting benefited out of these two institutions.
Witnessing the facilities and high quality of care provided for the sick at an affordable price and the cleanliness of the hospital, the government has accredited our hospital to the entry level of NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) standard and Tamilnadu government has recognized our hospital to make use of Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme in the year 2017.
Diocese of Thanjavur Society- Our Lady of Health Hospital has been Registered under the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishments (Regulation) Act, 1997 to provide service under ALLOPATHIC system of medicine with 300 beds on 26-06-2019.
May God continue to bless the noble humanitarian service through this institution.
VOICE OF OUR PILLARS
DR. JOHN MARTIN ALEXIS
MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT
I have been associated with Our Lady of Health Hospital for more than four decades. Started in the year 1961 with few beds as maternity clinic then it gradually started giving care to the children also. At present it has 200 bed strength and so many specialties have come up. This hospital is very popular amongst the public for so many reasons.
As Thanjavur has become a corporation, this hospital is located in the center of the town. This is the first hospital (apart from Raja Mirasudhar hospital) to be started for maternity care. It is well known for its cleanliness. Many highly qualified doctors and experienced nurses are working round the clock. 24 Hours Pharmacy, x-ray and Lab are functioning to be at the service of the patients. Patient care is very good by the experienced doctors. Above all the calm environment inside the campus is liked by all people. Moreover, many people have their faith in Our Lady of Health and they come here. Really Our Lord Jesus continues his healing ministry through our Lady of health to most of the people and they leave this hospital after thanking our lady.
I wish & pray to the almighty that this hospital should flourish further to serve more to the poor.
DR. T. ALFRED SAMSON
In 1970, I was introduced to this esteemed Our Lady of Health Hospital Thanjavur by Dr. M. Johnson (Former Professor of medicine GH, Chennai) who introduced general medical cares to this hospital when it was serving as maternity clinic next to Govt. R.M Hospital.
Later, more number of general cares is admitted and multispecialty doctors are the consultants now. Internal medicine with its various branches like Cardiology Gastroenterology, Neurology, Nephrology, Urology and Pediatrics are available here with 24 Hours medical causality.
This hospital is supplemented by Our Lady of Health School and College of Nursing which sends their nurses to render Paramedical help. 24 Hours Lab facilities and Pharmacy are available. This Hospital is in the heart of the city and also in the heart and mind of the people in and around Thanjavur. Our Lady of Health Hospital imparts God’s healing touch to everybody by its graceful dealing of the patients with the touch of love and service.
DR. RAVIKUMAR
மாதாவின் மகிமையில் மகத்தான மருத்துவப்பணி!
நோயுற்ற மக்களின் குறைகள் நீங்கி மகிழ்ச்சியுடன் குணம் அடைந்து நலமுடன் வீட்டுக்குச் செல்லும் அற்புதம் நம் மருத்துவமனையில் மட்டுமே காண இயலும்!
அன்போடும், பண்போடும், பணிவோடும் கடமைகளைச் செய்யும் செவிலியர்கள்!
மனவலி, உடல்வலி சுமந்து வரும் நோயாளிகள் இறையன்புடன் குணமடைய அரும்பாடுபடும் அருட்கன்னியர்!
கூர்ந்த அறிவு மற்றும் நிறைந்த அனுபவம் கொண்ட பல்துறை மருத்துவ வல்லுனர்கள் சிறப்புடனே சேவை செய்யும் மருத்துவமனை
நம் மருத்துவமனையே!
DR. JESUDOSS
My close acquaintance started as an expecting father, sitting with full of tension under the 'Matha' statue on the late evening of October 19th 1977. Yes; it was on that day my first son Dr. Dominic Savio, made me a father on a safe delivery which was conducted in the small labour room of Our Lady Hospital. The same incidence was repeated on August 19th, 1982 wherein my second son Sylvian Patrick was born.
Whenever I think about Our Lady Hospital, these two occasions come to my mind without any hesitation. I remember the hours during which I was looking at Mother Mary's face with all my expectations and prayers. Of course, Dr. V. Nalini and Dr. Kamala Dakshinamurthy for my first son and Dr. Mumtaj on second occasion came as consultants. The SMMI Sisters did an excellent job on both occasions. The total expenditure was very minimal.
Anyone who looks at Mother Mary's statue for few minutes, they will feel that they are blessed. Yes; it is a still a blessed place. Next to Govt. RM Hospital which is the prime institution for maternity and child health, more babies are delivered here. The numbers of complicated situation are almost in negligible numbers. Well trained Rev. Sisters do their excellent work with dedication.
In the recent past, Our Lady of Health Hospital took up a multidimensional developments and a collateral functioning of School of Nursing and College of Nursing in the adjacent buildings which make the Nursing care highly professional. A technologically advanced laboratory, Digital X ray unit and patients friendly big Pharmacy and ultra Sonogram facilities with well maintained operation theatres, OPD unit and in patient wards and a High Tec NICU are opened for the public at affordable cost.
A beautiful, ECO-friendly campus with lush green trees all around makes the people to feel comfortable. A very good team under the Medical Superintendent Dr. John Martin Alexis, the resident doctors and consultants of various specialties making the public much satisfied.
The hospital is run by the Diocese of Thanjavur with a vision of His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur who has plans for further expansion and much more additional services in the near future. I am proud to be a part of this Hospital.
I am a Doctor for patients welfare since 1974 with vast administrative experience and visited many medical colleges. I can say that this institution has got the potency to be converted as a Medical college in the future. I pray whole heartedly, Our Lady of Health to bless our present and future endeavors.
DR. YASMIN
I, Dr. Yasmin associated with Our Lady of Health Hospital for the past 10 years till today. Actually OLHH was established more than fifty years before as maternity clinic, I had the opportunity to serve in this Hospital from the year 2006 only.
In those days the Hospital was not so big. Gynecology Op, Pediatric OP, General Op with Scan, ECG, Lab, Pharmacy and reception all are under one roof. Of course, Labour wards,medical ward, ICU for adults. But today with all the facilities it serves the community of patients as best as possible. We have all the modern equipments, new building, new techniques and almost all the specialty departments. Thanks to Bishop Devadass Ambrose for his care and concern towards this hospital. By the Grace of Almighty, this Hospital may grow from strength to strength and continue its service to poor in the years to continue.
DR. CHRISTINA JOSEPH
I have been associated with the Our Lady of Health Hospital for the past 30 years. This Hospital has expanded its service in all aspects.
This hospital has expanded from a small maternity clinic to a multidisciplinary Hospital with all state of the art facilities. I wish that this Hospital and its staff to continue to serve for the public, bringing the scientific advancement to the common man at an affordable cost. I can truly say, Christ has been shown as a living, compassionate God to our patients by the loving, sacrificial service of our Sisters in the Hospital.
DR. V. RENGABASHYAM
Twelve years of Expedition and still exploring …….
I have been associated with ‘Our Lady of Health Hospital’ for more than 12 years now, the journey starts with the love and passion I have towards the profession. I love being a doctor for so many reasons. First of all, it is an honor to be trusted with another human being's health and well-being. Another reason, I love medicine because it is a profession in which people continue to learn and grow. New information, data, protocols and standards of care are constantly pouring and one has to update every day. Being updated is an important part of medicine and intellectually stimulating aspect of being a doctor.
I am lucky to work with colleagues including staff nurses and technicians, who are smart, dedicated and trustworthy and share similar values. My doctors have a shared goal of providing top quality medical care to their patients and in alleviating suffering. I am surrounded at work by people I respect and admire. Lastly I feel like I am making a positive contribution to my community and society, the avenues of opportunity to have an impact on others. For me this is a key aspect of happiness and fulfillment in life.
