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India’s Catholic Health Association vows to focus on sustainable healthcare for vulnerable communities

The Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI) held its 81st Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore last month. 

More than 300 participants, including priests, religious members, and healthcare professionals from across the country, gathered to discuss the future of healthcare services, emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity.

The theme for this year’s meeting, “Long-Term Sustainability of the Healthcare Mission,” focused on developing strategies to ensure healthcare initiatives are resilient and can meet the evolving needs of underserved communities. 



CHAI, which operates a network of over 3,500 healthcare and social service institutions, serves approximately 21 million patients annually, most from low-income backgrounds.

The Bishop of Agartala, Lumen Monteiro, CSC, who serves as an Ecclesiastical Adviser to CHAI, addressed the gathering and highlighted the Church’s role in providing healthcare to vulnerable populations. 

He reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that healthcare services are accessible and sustainable for the long term.

Fr. Esack Rayappan, Secretary of the Northeast Community Health Association (NECHA), pointed out the strong representation from the Northeast, reflecting the Church’s dedication to healthcare in often-underserved regions. 

Participants from the Northeast Community Health Association (NECHA) pose for a group photo during the 81st Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) of the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), held on September 26-27, 2024, at St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore. The event focused on sustainability and inclusivity in healthcare, bringing together healthcare professionals, religious members, and laypeople from across the country. Photo supplied
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He said that this participation was an indicator of the Church’s ongoing commitment to providing vital healthcare services.

A significant feature of the event was an exercise led by Claretian priest and social worker, Fr. George Kannanthanam, who organized a blindfolded walk to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the visually impaired. 

The exercise, which saw participants walking without sight, highlighted the importance of eye donation and fostering empathy for those living with visual impairment.

The involvement of participants from NECHA, including 21 representatives, demonstrated the importance of inclusivity in healthcare initiatives. 

Discussions during the event highlighted the need for healthcare services to address the diverse needs of communities across India, especially those in remote regions.

Following the AGBM, the Governing Board of NECHA convened on September 30 to discuss current healthcare challenges, review policy options, and draft proposals to raise funds for enhancing healthcare services in rural and underserved areas. 

The discussions aim to support CHAI’s mission of strengthening healthcare systems nationwide.

CHAI, which operates a network of 3,572 healthcare and social service institutions across 11 regional units, provides healthcare services to some of the most underserved communities in India. 

At the annual meeting, the organization emphasized its focus on sustainability and inclusivity, aiming to ensure its healthcare initiatives remain adaptable to the needs of vulnerable populations across the country.

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