Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 747/18

SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF HOLY CROSS HOSPITAL AT TURA

Meghalaya Home Minister, Shri James P K Sangma graced the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Holy Cross Hospital today at the premises of Holy Cross Hospital, Tura in the presence of Bishop of Tura, Rt Rev Andrew R Marak, Adviser to Chief Minister and MLA North Tura, Shri Thomas A Sangma, Government Chief Whip, Shri Marcuise Marak, Bishop Emeritus of Tura, George Mamalassery, Provincial, North East Province, Sister Mary Paul and other distinguished dignitaries and invitees. Speaking on the occasion, Shri James K Sangma expressed his sincere gratitude to the founding members of the Hospital whose vision to serve the people of the region by providing health care facilities have fructified inspite of various challenges faced by them. Their vision had enabled the people to access health care facilities in the region with addition to the services provided by the government hospitals in the region. He further expressed his love and gratitude to the medical fraternity along with para-medical staff of the hospital for the kind of services being provided to the people adding that he and his family is closely associated with the hospital since its establishment. While urging the Sisters of Holy Cross Hospital to continue their services to the people, he advised them to initiate preventive health care services apart from the services provided by them since people are reluctant to go for regular check up and visits the hospital when it’s too late for treatment.

Bishop Emeritus and pioneer of Holy Cross Hospital, Rt Rev George Mamalassery in his brief speech said that jubilee is the time to rejoice, renew and at the same time to reflect about the past and improve in future if possible. He further narrated the different problems faced at the beginning of the hospital with few doctors, staff, unavailability of engineers for servicing of different machines used in the hospital, location, which was isolated at that time, etc. He then urged the people of the region to avail the opportunity being provided to them and keep themselves healthy in their future life.

Administrator of Holy Cross Hospital, Shiny Abraham in her report stated that the hospital is the fulfillment of a great dream of Bishop George Mamalassery, the then Bishop of Tura who realizing the inadequate health care facilities existing in Garo Hills at that time has embark upon this gigantic venture of constructing 100 bedded hospital in Tura in the year 1990 which was inaugurated by Late P A Sangma, the then Union Minister in 1993. She then informed that the Holy Cross Sisters of Menzingen, a group of dedicated sisters, assisted by an efficient team of doctors and staff have taken the hospital to greater heights in its journey of 25 years till today. She informed that the hospital provides comprehensive health care services in the field of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neonatology, General Medicine and General Surgery including investigation facilities for computerized laboratory, ECG and X-ray, Ultrasound scanning and Echocardiography and renders medical assistance to Cardiology, Urology, Paedriatric Surgery, General Surgery, Orthopaedic and Laparoscopic Surgeries.

Further, an opthalmological unit functions as an extension service since 2016 and screening is done for common eye ailments. Since its opening in 1993, the hospital has attended to about 4 lakh patients in the region including performing of major surgeries every year along with up gradation of health care facilities and infrastructure, she added. Earlier, during the function the Chief Guest along with the Guest of Honour released the Jubilee Magazine and also cut the Jubilee cake along with other dignitaries. The staff of the Hospital was also felicitated for 20 years of dedicated service to the hospital despite various challenges in their life.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Bishop of Tura, Bishop Andrew R Marak, Bishop Emeritus of Tura, Rt Rev George Mamalassery, Provincial, Sisters of Holy Cross, Sister Mary Paul, Paediatrician, Holy Cross Hospital Sr. Dr. Lias welcomed the gathering while Chief Medical Officer, Sr. Dr. Immaculate propose the vote of thanks. Various songs and dances performed by the staff of Holy Cross Hospital, RSM School of Nursing and St Mary’s Higher Secondary School enthralled the audience.