Holy Cross Hospital, Tura ,West Garo
Hills, Meghalaya
Easter
Sunday saw me crossing Nagaland and Assam into Meghalaya. Six hours drive in a
‘shared Sumo’ put me in Tura in the west Garo Hills.
The Hospital
in Tura is a blessing for the Hill people. Despite the advent of government
schemes, competent healthcare remains a myth in large parts of the North East.
Two Johnites
of different generations and temperament hold fort here.
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| Sr Claire |
The calm and serene Dr Sr Claire ( Batch of ’72) is the Obstetrician and
Gynaecologist here. Having been through the North Indian Missions, notably
Khairabad in UP, she feels most at home in the NorthEast.
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| Sr Lias |
The fiesty
Dr Sr Lias( Batch of ’93), is the paediatrician and present Medical Lead there.
She is already a veteran in Meghalaya with this being her second stint. An
astute clinician, she handles all the medical cases. She uses her links with St
John’s and her classmates regularly in patientcare.
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| Sr Lias with the babies |
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| Bishop Mammalessery |
Here I was
fortunate to meet Bishop George Mamalassery of Tura, a legend in these parts. A
giant of a man, he has established multiple Missions in Meghalaya over the last
50 years with Churches, schools and this Hospital. He now lives in retirement
on this campus-as the spiritual guide to the community.
Without
exception, everyone I spoke to commented on the easygoing and accepting nature
of the tribals with a fatalistic view of life and death. The doctors feel this
enhances their emotional connect and responsibility as health custodians of
these people.
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| From the early days ( Archives) |
