KCD Health Conclave

KCD Health Conclave

KCD Health Conclave held on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at the CSI Hospital Chapel, CSI Hospital Bangalore

The Karnataka Central Diocese under the leadership of the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Samuel, tasked the Medical Committee of the Diocese, to organize initiatives to bring Healthcare Professionals and Communities in need, together.

The Bishop had also requested the Diocesan Pastors to identifyHealth Care Professionals within their congregations and bring them together, and provide a space for ideas to further the Healing Ministry through the Diocesan Hospitals.

The gathering was welcomed by Dr. John Ebenezer, Convener, Medical Committee.

Rev. George Jayaprabhu, Asssociate Treasurer, Karnataka Centralopened the Conclave with a prayer.

Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben, Chairperson, of the Medical Committee, shared that the Objective of the Meeting was to generate ideas for the KCD-run Diocesan Hospitals, as well as generate ideas to serve the Community around CSI Hospitals previously closed and to reach out to communities who need Healthcare.

Key Note address by Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Samuel:

The Bsihop talked about the legacy we leave as Christians in the Healing Ministry amid Modern Facilities and Commercialization. He stressed the importance of the Church in providing the Psychological and Spiritual dimensions in healing. He called Health Care Professionals in the process of honouring God and serving people, and be available for the purpose of the Healing Ministry. The Bishop expressed his happiness that all the Panel presenters are members of the churches in the Diocese and thanked them for their wilingess to partner in the healing ministry of the Diiocse.

Rev. Dr. Vincent Vinod Kumar, Secretary, Karnataka Central Diocese, brought greetings to the gathering from the Diocese and the various Diocesan Committees. Dr. Sunita Abraham shared about the work of the Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) and brought greetings from the Association.

There were Panel Presentations by the following:

  • Dr. Mohan K, Consultant Urologist, Manipal Hospitals
  • Prof. Dr. Paul C. Salins,Managing Director / Vice President Narayana Hrudayalaya and Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Hospital
  • Dr. Chandy Abraham, CEO Healthcare Project at ITC Healthcare
  • Dr. Sunil Christopher, Consultant Cardiologist, Sagar Hospitals

Ideas shared by the Panelists:

  • What is the need for a Mission Hospital at this time, considering the population whose needs are going to be fulfilled?
  • Decision making should point to this vision.
  • The How can be decided later when this vision is clear.
  • Need to study the Technical and Economic feasibility.
  • Essential to have governance on Cogent/Coherent issues related to the Hospitals.
  • Need for able Leadership to manage both staff, and who can bring in patients.
  • The importance of Specific Goals and Plans was stressed while considering where we are and where we want to go.
  • Need to showcase Ethical Medicine and a Caring Practice.
  • The importance of Academics and Research was stressed, looking to ensure accessible, affordable, quality Health Care, which could make the Hospitals self-sustainable.
  • The possibility of considering the creation of a CSI Medical College in Bangalore was mooted.

Ideas for self-sustainability:

  • Spreading the word.
  • Church members from across the Diocese availing Services at KCD-run Hospitals.
  • Running Annual Medical Checkup for church members and Diocesan schools.

Dr. Sunil Kumar Acting Medical Superintendent CSI Hospital Bangalore and Dr. Joy Christ Acting Medical Superintendent CSI Hospital Chickballapur, shared about the facilities and activities available at the CSI Hospitals at Bangalore and Chickballapur, respectively. The need for personnel related to various specialties in both Hospitals was stressed as an important requirement for both Hospitals.

Discussions:

  • Need to look at various models of employment for Consultants willing to spend time.
  • Immediate vs Long Term needs to be mapped.
  • Community Health Centers need to be revamped to stress Primary / Basic Care.
  • Need to look for ideas that will specifically increase the footfall of patients.
  • Also to study why the Hospitals deteriorated.
  • To a remark that Mission Hospitals may be irrelevant to the urban population, there was a reply that Government Hospitals are overflowing and that there will definitely be takers for affordable care.
  • Need to consider what is not being covered by other Hospitals such as Geriatric Care.

Rev. Dr. Dexter Maben requested to the participants number about 50 doctors and 25 healthcare professionsals to sign- up as Consultants in the registers for the following:

  • Health Check-up Drive for 4 or 5 Departments
  • Health Camps
  • Revamp Community Health Centers at KGF, Channapatna and Tumkur.

The Bishop in his concluding remarks thanked each one for their participation and enthusiasm and sought active partipation of Doctors and Healthcare professionsls to be involved in the process of Healing and Change.

The Meeting ended with Vote of Thanks by Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben.

Rev. Christopher Samuel, Assistant Secretary, KCD closeded with prayer and benediction by the Bishop

Dr. John Ebnezar
Convenor
Medical Committee

Rev. Dr. Dexter S. Maben
Chairperson
Medical Committee