The Indian Psychiatric Society-Karnataka Chapter, today at its 29th Annual Conference, conferred on Father Muller Charitable Institutions in Mangalore, the SPANDANA AWARD, for the year 2019-2020.
Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) has seen 14 decades of steadfast service towards the health and well-being of humanity. Established in the year 1880, by Fr Augustus Muller, which once began under a humble banyan tree as a Homeopathy dispensary in Mangalore, has now become an institution of acclaim and one among the few institutions to be nationally accredited by national bodies. Today, FMCI runs 13 institutions related to health and health education with over 2500 employees.
Psychiatry in FMCI came into existence in 1966 and what started with a modest outpatient and 25 bedded inpatient facility has now grown into a full-fledged department with 140 beds and 60 beds dedicated to de-addiction facility.
The De-Addiction Center of Father Muller Medical College Hospital(FMMCH), since its inception in 1992, has been providing quality treatment for a person’s dependent on various substances. Manned by an expert team of de-addiction treatment specialists, the centre functions round the clock with an average of 700 patients per year availing its services. The centre operates under the name of Vailankanni Ward with FMMCH management at Kankanady, Mangalore, in a separate building with modern medical facilities. The facility has separate male and female inpatient unit provisions to cater to individual treatment needs of both genders. The facility offers a one-month residential treatment program, which is effective and flexible and offers hospitalization, detoxification, daily interviews by psychiatrists, psychological therapies, group therapies, family counselling, recreational activities, Yoga therapy, AA meetings, and follow up services. The centre also provides de-addiction training for graduate and postgraduate students in various disciplines such as Psychiatry, Psychiatric Nursing, Clinical Psychology, and Psychiatric Social Work from various institutions in and around Mangalore. The centre also does community outreach programs, focusing on early case finding and management, referrals, and raising public awareness against substance abuse and dependence through public programs and media campaigns. All this has helped thousands of patients over the years to live a life of sobriety and hence experience fuller and meaningful lives. It is this service towards humanity that deserves our respect and heartfelt appreciation.
In recognition of the relentless services rendered towards alcohol-related problems, Indian Psychiatric Society- Karnataka Chapter, honoured Father Muller Charitable Institutions, of Mangalore, with the Spandana Award, for the year 2019-2020.
Rev. Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho, Director of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions reminisced that during his tenure as the then assistant director along with the Director Most Rev. Fr Bernard Moras along with Dr KS Shetty and Dr Satheesh Rao and help from Link Integrated Rehabilitation Centre For Addicts and Prajna Counselling the Vailankani Ward was set up with much thought after the miracle healing of body and mind at the Holy Shrine at Vailankani. This was the first step in de-addiction the hospital took and the rewards were bountiful with people from all strata of life being cured of their addiction and joining the mainstream of life to begin anew. He wholeheartedly thanked the efforts of the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Psychiatry in helping people in their times of darkness and bringing them to the light of life.
Dr Sateesh Rao the chief guest read out the citation and presented the cash prize of Rs 10,000/- and certificate to the Director. He spoke of the due recognition of the award the Father Muller Charitable Institutions and of the hard work and efforts of the management placed from 1966 under Dr KC Shetty and with him during his stint of 18 years in Father Muller Medical College in 1991 to start up the de-addiction centre. Even though he is the professor in the KSHEMA his heart still beats for Father Muller’s. His friendship with the current HOD and faculty is most precious to him making him feel always comfortable and at home. He recalled the helpful and courteous nature of the Director and Management to him always which he cherishes forever.
The introduction of the guests was done by Professor Dr Aruna Yadiyal, and the Vote of thanks by Professor and Head Dr Shafeeeq AT, who made it a point to thank the efforts of the previous and present heads and staff for their efforts in bringing this centre to a centre of excellence. He thanked Dr B.R. Madhukar President IPS-KC and Dr Sunil Kumar Patil Hon Secretary IPS-KC for their faith reposed through this award in the institution. Dr Priyanka D’Souza Post Graduate was the MC for the event.
Administrator’s Rev. Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, Rev Fr Ajith B Menezes; Asst. Administrator Rev Fr Nelson Pais; Dean FMMC Dr Jayprakash Alva; Dean FMCOAHS Dr Antony D’Souza; Vice Dean FMMC Dr Ramesh Bhat; Medical Superintendent Dr Udaykumar; CNO Sr Janet D’Souza; Liaison Officer Dr Kelvin Peter Pais along with the departmental faculty and staff were present for the event. Dr Priyanka D’Souza compered the brief programme.
