EHA

The Emmanuel Hospital Association celebrated 40 years of existence on November 21^st, 2009 at the Ambassador Hotel. About 200 guests gathered in front of the stage with an attractive backdrop featuring EHA’s anniversary theme “Reaching the Heart of India’s Need’ in colours of blue and green. The theme verse was Mark 1:41 – ‘Filled with compassion, Jesus reached His hand and touched the man.’ The guests included previous EHA staff and leaders, heads of partner organizations, representatives from every hospital and community project, and friends and well wishers from within India and abroad.

It was a time of celebration and thanksgiving for God’s faithful guidance from the initial idea and planning stages to the present growing and vibrant organization. Dr. Sudhir Joseph, Director of St Stephens Hospital, Delhi opened the event with prayer. The history of EHA was traced from the initial 6 hospitals to the present 20 hospitals, 26 community projects, 6 nursing schools, 6 HIV/AIDs projects and key departments such as disaster management and research and bioethics. Mr. Lalchuangliana, the first national Executive Director, gave his reflections, impressing us with the fact that the organization had just Rs.1.50 to its name when he took over. Dr Uttam Mahapatra (Medical Director, Robertsganj) and Mrs. Lily Kachhap (Principal, Nursing School, Satbarwa) gave an account of their memories of working over the years with EHA in different capacities. Dr. Howard Searle, the first Executive Director felicitated the 14 staff members who had served in EHA for 35 years or more, honouring them with gifts of a shawl and a specially crafted watch.

The anniversary memento, a beautiful coffee-table book that depicted the history of each member unit and department, was released by Mr. Amarjit Sinha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, who was also the Guest of Honour. He spoke warmly of his visits to several EHA hospitals. A team from Prem Jyoti Community Hospital, Barharwa, Jharkhand presented an entertaining skit depicting health problems in their tribal area. The Chief Guest, Dr. Kuruvilla Varkey, past Chairman of EHA’s Board, and a mentor to many EHA doctors, gave the thanksgiving address. He stressed the need to see our work in the light of God’s bigger plan and the need to nurture younger people to join missions as a way of life. Dr. Santhosh Mathew, present Executive Director, gave the vote of thanks and Rev. C.B. Samuel gave the final blessing. The EHA choir ably led the worship through congregational singing.

A sumptuous high tea was the final highlight over which guests had the opportunity to meet and interact with EHA staff and other friends. It was truly a time of gratitude and celebration!