Final Jubilee Celebrations at Duncan Hospital
The week long celebration included: evening cultural programs with special songs, choreographies, traditional dances, interviews and drama; two community programs hosted by the Champak and Chetna Community Health and Development Teams; a Platinum Jubilee Museum; and inaugurations of new initiatives including children’s play park, Ashish Kendra, new ultrasound machine and new echocardiogram machine. The corner stone for the new Mother and Child Health block was also laid by Dr. Varghese Philip. The week ended with a time of worship and praise and thanksgiving to God for His grace and faithfulness over the past 75 years and a fellowship meal with time to enjoy visiting with old and new friends. Our prayer is that God will continue to bless us as we move into a new chapter in the ongoing ministry of The Duncan Hospital. Life Worth Living - SHALOM Delhi Celebrates Christmas
Revolving around the theme for the morning, "Life worth Living," participants from Asha Bhawan Rehabilitation project in Gurgaon and children from two hostels for infected and affected children and the staff of SHALOM sang songs, enacted skits and testified about the change taking place in their lives. Out of the 86 families cared for by SHALOM, 61 families came for the get-together. Around 375 people gathered together for the Christmas program. The program closed with lunch and each family received a gift contributed by the Church Volunteers. Dr. Saira Paulose, Director concluded by saying “We are amazed at the way the Holy Spirit has brought changes in these families both physically and spiritually. It is all His Doing not ours”. EHA Provides Relief to Internally Displaced persons of Karbi Anglong Conflict in North-east15 November 2005: Over the last one month, Karbi Anglong area bordering Nagaland in North east India has been in turmoil due to ethnic clashes between two groups - the Karbis and Dimasa. In the ensuing violence and insurgency at least 90 people were killed and 60,000 people displaced from their homes. These displaced people are currently staying in refugee camps set up by the government. The majority of the displaced people are women and children who have been badly affected in the violence. Though the clash between the two ethnic groups has subsided, the violence has left an imprint of fear and insecurity in the minds of the affected people. On October 31, 2005 EHA conducted a needs assessment in the relief camps. 8 relief camps are in Dhansiripar and another 9 in Manja. The camps provided by the Government are make shift camps made of tin in which more than a 1000 inmates are residing. Other victims are given shelter in Community halls & School/ College buildings. During the assessment it was found that the immediate need that had to be addressed was health. Water borne diseases, malaria and viral fever were spreading among the internally displaced persons in the camps. There was acute shortage of medical personnel, medicines, food and clean drinking water in the camps. Just one Govt. Doctor was there to provide medical care to the inmates of 8 Camps. The govt. was providing free medicine but there was shortage of supply. The other important need for the relief Camps was warm winter clothing like sweaters, bed clothes, blankets etc. In response to the need, a medical relief team from Baptist Christian Hospital Tezpur visited the camps on November 8 & 9 along with a consignment of medicines. Medical checkup were done in the camps in West Karbi Anglong i.e. Dongkamukam, Kheroni, Charchim & Langthat and free medicines given to about 300 sick patients. The team in association with the Jirsong Asong Catholic NGO also visited 3 camps -Taralangso camp, Rengma Community Hall & Dharamnala L.P. School in East Karbianglong. Medical services were provided to the inmates of the camp. As West Karbianglong is quite interior & not easily accessible like East K/A (Diphu), not much relief has reached there. Sans Medicine Frontiers – Holland (Doctors without Borders) are reaching out to the people of West K/A, but they are only giving vaccination. The need is still grave in terms of medical, nutrition & warm clothing. The inmates in East K/A are much better off than the West, as East K/A is bordering Nagaland. Both Churches & Institutions from Nagaland has responded promptly to their needs. In East & West Karbianglong the most common diseases are dysentery/ diarrhea in adult’s, while infants are suffering from oral thrush, common cold & cough, & fever. The YWAM team donated medicines enabling the team to reach out to patients. The immediate need as felt by the team is for more doctors, pediatric medicines and rehabilitation material like Blankets, utensils etc. The extensive media coverage of the situation has enabled NGO’s, churches & people from different walks of life to meet the challenges by offering all possible help to the affected victims - a significant & vital addition to the continuum of Care provided by the Government. Mr. Arwin Sushil, Baptist Christian Hospital EHA Conducts Workshop for Community Health & Development Project Directors & Managers
The workshop was divided in two parts where on the first three days, Development Associate International (DAI) conducted workshop on ‘Servant Leadership’ based on the MA program, offered by DAI. The First five units of the program were covered in this workshop and the next half is scheduled to be covered in the next workshop in April 2006. Creating history, for the first time in 23 years ETS called upon the Executive Director of EHA and the newly installed Regional Directors, exclusively for discussions over various issues with CHD project leaders. Participants even got a chance to discuss unit related issues. A presentation on National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) with emphasis on developments in Champa (Chattisgarh) and opportunities for EHA was presented during the workshop. Dr. Abhijit Das, who works on public health & human rights issues, and has been a Fellow in Population Innovations of the MacArthur Foundation and Population Leadership Program of the University of Washington, facilitated a presentation on violence against women and the action taken by their organisation i.e. MASVAW. He also made a presentation on NRHM. During the workshop Mr. Maxwell David from Lucknow facilitated in morning devotions, sharing about various aspects of God’s anointing. Dr. Shantanu Dutta, Research paper gets published in the Indian Journal of Medical ResearchThe Research paper on "HIV-related knowledge, attitudes & risk perception amongst nurses, doctors & other healthcare workers in rural India" conducted by University of Melbourne Australia and Emmanuel Hospital Association, appeared in The Indian Journal of Medical Research 122(3), September 2005: 187-272. A cross-sectional survey of 266 Healthcare workers (78% female) from seven rural north Indian health settings (EHA Hospitals) was undertaken in late 2002. The objective of this study was to asses HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and risk perception among a group of rural north Indian Healthcare workers, and to identify predictors of willingness to provide care for patients with HIV infection. The contributors to the study were Michelle Kermode, Australian International Health Institute, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne; Wendy Holmes, Burnet Institute; B Langkham & Mathew Santosh Thomas, Emmanuel Hospital Association, New Delhi & Sandy Gifford, Refugee Health Research Centre, LaTrobe University, Victoria, Australia. Link to The Indian Journal of Medical Research Consultative Workshop on National AIDS Control Programme - III
Temjen Toy, Commissioner and Secretary presented a paper at the workshop. Dr. Kumuni Kathipri, Project Director, NSACS, highlighted the findings of the Participatory Site Assessment (PSA) which was recently conducted in different districts of Nagaland. Dr. Langkham, Project Director, Project Orchid and a member of the NACP- III team, presented an introduction to the State Programme Implementation Plan and interacted with the participants. A basic framework for the preparation of a State Plan was outlined by different groups among the participants, which was followed by in-depth discussions about the process of planning and preparation of a state- specific programme, due for submission by November 2005. The workshop was attended by 25 NGOs, related Government departments, representatives from Churches and civil societies. Morung Express News, October 10, Kohima New Structure of EHA
After major consultations with the units and overseas representatives, the new structure was presented at EHA’s Board of Directors and Executive committee Meetings held in Delhi on August 19 & 20, 2005 where it was passed. The Executive Director in his letter to the units introducing the new structure said “these changes are not intended for control but for measurable effectiveness and outcome. Though change is difficult for all of us, let us join hands together and move forward. Let us take heart that God will take us to heights that we have not experienced so far... I want to close with the words of Samuel spoken to Saul before he became king (1 Sam 10:6, 7): “The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power…and you will be a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” The changes made are expected to accommodate growth and complexity of the present day EHA. The new structure is designed to provide clarity in accountability and management. Preservation and protection of EHA’s culture of caring and its spiritual foundations is of utmost importance. The structural changes will prepare EHA to face several challenges in the coming few years. The New Structure The New EHA organizational structure has three Levels: Unit Level The hospital, the community health department and the HIV/AIDS program, form the integral part of each unit The SAO/Managing Director is the responsible leader of the unit. The UMC is an internal management committee of the unit and supports the SAO/MD. The other leaders in the unit are:
Each Unit is a Registered Society as a Legal Entity. On the Governing Board of each society, the units from the same region are represented along with EHA Central Officers as ex-officio members. Regional Level A new Regional Administrative Structure is introduced with Regional Directors. This will help in providing much more support to the units and projects in planning, administration and in improving quality of services of the units. The four New Regions are: 1. Northern Region Each region has a Regional Governing Board and Regional Administrative Committee. This provides a platform to the units to interact with each other and help and strengthen the fellowship. The Regional Governing Board is responsible for
Central Level The three levels of Central leaders are:
Baptist Christian Hospital Nursing School Celebrates Golden Jubilee and Graduation Ceremony04 October 2005: The Nursing School’s Golden Jubilee and Graduation Ceremony was celebrated with great joy on September 29, 2005 by the faculty, students and the entire family of Baptist Christian Hospital, Tezpur. The ceremony was graced by Ms. Kiran Borgohain, Joint Director of Health Services (Nursing), Govt. of Assam, Guwahati who was the chief Guest. She delivered an address and distributed Diplomas to the Graduates. Ms. Arunjyoti Borah, Assistant Professor, LokoPriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, gave a key note address on the theme ‘Quality Nursing Care’. The TNAI President, Nursing Tutors and staff members of both Civil Hospital and Mental Hospital also attended. The occasion was also graced by Shri. M. K. Subba, Member of Parliament, Tezpur constituency, who came for a short while. He announced a grant of Rs.100,000 from his MP fund to construct a road inside the hospital. Rev. P. Daimari, General Secretary, NBBCA; Mr. Lukas Bhengra, Secretary, Christian Literature Centre, Tezpur; Ms. Pratima Hainary, Secretary, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Tezpur and several other members of the Church and old staff members also attended the function. It was a heartening moment when the first student of the Nursing School was honored along with other Ex-Nursing School staff at the occasion. The Nursing student presented a tableau remembering the origin of the school. The best meritorious award was given to Miss. Joymati Basumatari who ranked first in her 1st year & 3rd year exams. All the graduates were presented with a Bible. A new look enclosure of the Garden in front of the Hospital was constructed as the memorial of the day. The Celebrations ended with dinner for all the dignitaries, staff members and their families. Mr. Arwin Sushil, SAO EHA Conducts Research Workshop in Delhi
The topics discussed were on what Research is and is not; Research Methodology; Research Process; Criteria for selecting a Research topic; Problem statement in Research; Review of literature; and Definition of Objectives. Basics of writing a Research protocol and writing a Research paper were also discussed. At the end of the workshop Dr. Rao encouraged the participants to select a topic in one’s own setting, write the problem statement and objectives and to send them to him through the Research manager of EHA to develop it further. He also stated that it is possible to bring out a research paper by one year. It is expected that the enthusiastic participants will be actively involved in conducting research in the days to come and that EHA will be able to publish several papers. Dr. Jameela George, Manager- Research and Bioethics Research Study on "Incidence of Neural tube defects in the least developed areas of India"
The study was done in Utraula and Gaindas Bujurg in Balrampur District of Uttar Pradesh, India, between October 2002 and September 2003. The study was based at Prem Sewa Hospital in Utraula (a unit of Emmanuel Hospital Association), a 30-bed mission hospital with only three full-time physicians. A population-based door-to-door survey of mothers living in remote clusters of villages in Balrampur District in Uttar Pradesh, a region ranked as the least-developed area in India, was done. The data showed that the incidence of Neural Tube Defects was 6·57–8·21 per 1000 livebirths, which is among the highest worldwide. The study discusses the policy implications of their research and the need for periconceptional folate supplementation. The other contributors to the study were Robyn Bullock, Siju Seena and Asok Antony. Anil Cherian, Robyn K Bullock, and A C Antony conceived of the study and contributed to writing the manuscript. A Cherian also supervised the fieldworkers, data acquisition, and analysis. Siju Seena participated in supervision of the field-workers, data acquisition and analysis. This work was mostly supported by charitable contributions to Emmanuel Hospital Association, New Delhi, India, and was initiated during a Fulbright Scholarship awarded to Professor Antony in 2001. Link to The Lancet EHA Dentists Conference held at Duncan Hospital23 August 2005: The 5th EHA Annual Dentist Conference was held from June 22 to 25 at the ComDent Rural training institute, Duncan Hospital, Raxaul. EHA dentists and other dental missionaries participated in the conference. It was an exciting time of learning, interaction and sharing for both the faculty and participants. The topics covered during the conference were community based approach to dentistry, biblical approach to oral health, atraumatic restorative therapy, integration of oral health into community health, the WHO package of Oral health care, oral cancer strategies for third world countries; oral surgery and some new initiatives. The didactic lectures, chair side clinics and hands on demonstration were new aspects of the conference. Dr. Robert Yee, Director of Oral Health program, UMN; Dr. Shaji Thomas, Prof. of Oral dental surgery and Dr. Mathew George, EHA were the resource persons. Dr. Shaji conducted three chair side clinical classes on certain rare oral infections that had been detected at the clinics and recalled during the conference. He also demonstrated two surgical techniques on patients with the participants assisting. Though the participants were few in number, the efforts in conducting the conference was not a wasted endeavor as the interactions were very personal and meaningful. Dr. Mathew George, Dental Coordinator EHA Conducts Workshop on Community based Disaster Preparedness
The resource persons comprised of staff from EFICOR and EHA who had experience in the field of disaster management. Dr. Jeevan Kuruvilla from EHA's tsunami relief team in Andaman & Nicober Islands was one of the resource person. Some of the topics dealt in the workshop were : Global and National Disaster Scenario, Types of disasters, Developmental approach to relief, Rapport building and understanding the community, Fund raising, Proposal and Budgeting, Health Services in disasters & Health team in disaster. The participant came up with an action plan by the end of the workshop. Discussions were held on how to carry the concept forward and network together. Though the discussions were not conclusive, yet many gave commitment to be involved in a network of Christian agencies in Disaster Management. The scope and modalities of such a network are yet to be worked out, for which the participants suggested that there be a follow up. |
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NEWS 2005
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04 December 2005: After more than a year of planning, preparation and prayer, The Duncan Hospital launched into the final celebration of it’s Platinum Jubilee 75th Anniversary Celebration on November 21 to 27. The festivities were blessed by the many special guests who made efforts to attend the celebrations and partake with us. Dr. Varghese Philip (Executive Director of EHA), Dr. Mathew Santhosh Thomas (Eastern Regional Director) as well as other central officers, officers from other units and former staff members provided encouragement through their attendance. In addition, four special guests from U.K. attended the week’s events. Drs. Matt and Joanna Peacock, Joyce Ritchie and Elizabeth Rogers all served at Duncan in the 1950’s to 1970’s and helped us to reflect on God’s faithfulness to those serving here in the past. In addition, we were well aware of the prayer support of many people who could not be with us and that in itself was a tremendous blessing to us.
04 December 2005: As the whole world gets down to the business of celebrating Christmas this season, SHALOM Delhi in its own quiet way, celebrated the coming of Jesus to this earth, along with its HIV/AIDS patients and families on December 3, 2005. It was a time for the families, staff, volunteers and well wishers to remember the meaning of Christ’s coming to this world and to encourage one another with the good news.
03 November 2005: EHA’s Emanuel Training Service (ETS) organised a workshop at Lucknow, from October 25-30, for Community Health & Development (CHD) project directors and project managers. 30 participants from different EHA projects attended the 6 day workshop.
13 October 2005: A one day Consultative Workshop for Stakeholders on the National AIDS Control Programme, Phase-III (NACP-III), organized by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) was held on October 10, 2005 at Hotel Japfu, Kohima. The meeting discussed the state’s plan for the next 5 years starting from July 2007.
As an organisation, EHA is poised at a very important juncture in the history of India. New realities and new environment of working now require a new structure, new strategy and a new organizational thrust. Faced with several major challenges to function effectively and efficiently, and be quality service providers to the poor and marginalized communities whom it serves, the need for revamping the existing structure arose.
26 September 2005: A one-day Research Workshop was conducted by EHA to motivate potential researchers from EHA to do research. This workshop was conducted at C.N.I Bhawan, Delhi on September 20, 2005. Dr. Sunder Rao, Research Co-ordinator of TLM was the resource person. 20 participants from 13 EHA units and 3 DNB students attended the workshop.
A Research study on "Incidence of neural tube defects in the least-developed area of India - a population - based study," conducted by Dr. Anil Cherian in Utraula, appeared in The Lancet 2005; 366:930-931.
10 July 2005: The Workshop on Community Based Disaster Preparedness was held in Deodars Spiritual Life Centre, Mussoorie from June 14 - 18. The workshop was organized by EHA, and EFICOR was asked to provide the technical inputs. 34 participants from EHA, EFICOR and their partners attended it. They include Indian Evangelical Mission (IEM), Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS), Evangelical Social Action Forum (ESAF), Neethi Integrated Development Agency (NIDA) & Pillars Health Centre.