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| Name |
Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital |
| Address |
PB No 50, Thiruvalla |
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| Town |
Thiruvalla |
| State |
Kerala |
| Country |
India |
| Post Code |
689 101 |
| Phone |
91 469 2630144 |
| Fax |
91 469 2630106 |
| Email |
admin.tvla@gmail.com |
| Website |
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Specialization Of Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
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About Thiruvalla Medical Mission Hospital
Tiruvalla Medical Mission (TMM) exists to share the compassion of Jesus Christ with the sick, by offering affordable medical services and spiritual counsel, leading to wholesome healing and hope.
Location: At the south western tip of India one finds a small but beautiful State, nick-named by its people ‘God’s own country’. Official name is Kerala, meaning land of coconuts. Its area is only 39000sq.km which is occupied by a population of 33,000,000 persons. The literacy rate here is 97% which is above all other States of India. Official language is Malayalam. English is taught as second language and widely used. Most of the educated people have a working knowledge of English. It is believed that the message of the Christian Gospel was brought to this part of India by Apostle Thomas and the Church formed here in the first century itself. Presently 19.3% of the population of Kerala is Christian with 4.4% Protestants/ Independents. Brethren movement began in this State a little over 100 years ago. As Indian Brethren and Western Brethren missionaries worked together with great zeal many churches (Assemblies) , schools and other institutions were established all over this State.
Medical Ministry: About 80 years ago a few Brethren missionaries initiated a medical work in Central Kerala and concentrated in and around the town of Tiruvalla (now Thiruvalla). Their selfless and sacrificial services, especially in the health-care of the poor and down-trodden were greatly appreciated by the local people. One such admirer of this missionary work was Dr. Dewan Bahadhur V.Verghese, the Chief Physician of the King of Travancore. Tiruvalla Medical Mission began as a dream in the heart of Dewan Bahadur Dr. V. Varghese. As an ardent Christian, he read and studied closely the works of early missionaries. The life that most impressed him was that of George Mueller, a prayer warrior and a leader of the orphanage movement in England. Drawing a page from Muellers life, the Dewan dedicated his life, resources and skills for the betterment of society. The doctor’s passionate dream had now become a fervent desire.
A Visionary in Action: Therefore, when Dr Verghese retired from the royal service, he immediately began to give shape and structure to his vision. And by 1935, he established a six-bed hospital on a small wooded hillock near the Tiruvalla railway station, Kerala, India. Along with laying the foundation for the hospital, he also laid the principles for service and administration all decisions had to be in accordance with ethical and Christian principles. Thus, TMM began as a small step of faith for Dewan Bahadur, but a giant leap for the people of Central Travancore. Soon, advancing age weakened Dr Varghese and he began to earnestly pray for someone to take over the responsibility of the hospital. The answer to his prayers arrived in the form of Dr and Mrs. R. S Churchward, medical missionaries from New Zealand, belonging to the Brethren Assemblies. Dr Verghese handed over the hospital with a ten acre land and few old buildings in the heart of Tiruvalla totally free for the medical work of the Brethren as a token of his appreciation of their work. With the cooperation of Painummoottil P.V. George, missionaries E. H Noel and G. L Fountain, the Churchwards took the opportunity as a divine commission in 1940, and was registered as a Charitable Trust. Dr. Churchward, as a Trustee and Chief Medical Officer took charge. The people of Tiruvalla and central Travancore nicknamed the establishment as Sahibs Hospital (Saayippinte Aasupathri in Malayalam).
The Growth: Overseas missionary doctors, Eric Rea, Gilmour Davies and Brian Smith served the mission, and later eminent Indian doctors carried on this noble service to the society, taking it to higher levels, meeting contemporary challenges. Renowned Urologist Dr C. Kunjappan John, and eminent Neuro Surgeon Dr K. Nambudiripad served as directors for several years, taking the hospital to greater heights with modernization process.The medical ministry began to grow rapidly. Within a few years a Nursing School was added to the hospital which began graduating highly skilled and dedicated nurses. Two branch hospitals within a radius of 40 km from Tiruvalla were opened as outreach ministry. By 1980 the last missionary doctor Gilmore Davis left country. An effective Governing Board of Indian Brethren took over the rein as the work kept growing. Latest addition to the mission is a College of Nursing affiliated to the university that awards BSc Nursing degree to our graduates. Thus from the 6 bedded clinic in 1936 Tiruvalla Medical Mission has grown to be three hospitals with 350 beds and two nursing educational institutions giving a four years training to 340 students.
TMM’s services specially noted and appreciated by the public:
1. Patient’s care- specialized nursing care given along with effective treatment.
2. Affordable cost for the middle-income patients.
3. Free medical treatment for economically weak patients.
4. Prayer and spiritual counsel offered to all who desire such.
Core Values: The core values of TMM include the following:Provide opportunities for spiritual healing and hope along with physical healing. This is the foundational strength of TMM.Treat every individual as dignified personalities created in the image of God.TMM is a Bible-based ministry of compassion, and therefore shuns all types of commercial exploitation. No diagnostic test, of any kind, will be carried out unless it is medically compelling. No drug will be prescribed without a medical reason. No surgery will be undertaken without a medical reason.No foetus abortion will be undertaken. No Capitation fee is levied from any student for the TMM training courses.Economically backward patients get almost 75 per cent of their bills waived, at the discretion of the management.
Our evangelistic effort: A Chaplain and his wife work full time in the hospital. In addition to this, one evangelist sent from his Assembly spends one full week serving in the hospital. All patients, their by-standers, and visitors get an opportunity to hear the gospel, spiritual counsel and prayer.
Treatment for Snake BiteSince its early days, TMM has played a pioneering and crucial role in providing life-saving treatment to victims of snake-bite. Over the years, while offering treatment and improving and perfecting treatment, the hospital had been disseminating the knowledge gained by study through paper presentations at conferences and publications in medical journals. The hospital is now well equipped to admit serious cases of snake bite poisoning with the confidence that we can offer almost cent per cent cure, provided the patients are brought to the hospital without undue delay. Treatment is available 24 hours.
A work of Charity: Besides offering loving services, the hospital spends a considerable amount of money by way of free medical treatment. During the last fiscal year free treatment to the tune of Rs.5,500,000 (US $114,583) was given away to the poor patients, staff and their dependants as well as evangelists. In spite of heavy financial commitments this is continued listening to God’s word “Blessed is he who considereth the poor” Ps.41:1. Financial assistance is provided for the nursing students, some of whom can ill-afford the cost of their study .
Community Health and Development Programme: The vision of TMM has been to serve society not only in the area of healthcare but also in other developmental spheres. Therefore in 1970 TMM decided to initiate a Community Health and Development programme. By 1980, we decided to adopt Kuttanad, a village 5kms away from TMM, and organize a community development centre there. The level of unemployment is high in this area and poverty is rampant. This project aims to provide all round development by giving great importance to their cooperation, initiative and self help. Realizing the prime need of the community for curative medical work, the hospital started a small satellite clinical centre. In Agape Bhavan, Kaniampara, a medical clinic is functioning along with a lab technician Doctors visit regularly and a number of poor people are benefited.Also regular clinics are being conducted in villages including Chathenkery, Chumatra, and Abhay Bhavan. Also we train home nurses who would visit villages and teach health and hygiene.
Health EducationSchool of Nursing: In Kerala, it was again TMM that took a major stride in health education in the field of Nursing. In the beginning Mrs. Churchward and Miss F. Parkinson who were in charge of the nursing department sought to give instruction to the staff in quality nursing care. Later, a 4-year course in Nursing and Midwifery was launched and its first batch graduated in 1943. In 1947, it was recognized by the Nurses Auxiliary Christian Medical Association of India (NACMAI). This is the first nursing school in the private sector in Kerala.In 1952, it was further recognized by the Travancore Nurses and Midwives Council. In 1955, Madras Nurses and Midwifery Council recognized the TMM School of Nursing. Miss Elliot, Miss M.C Miller and Miss E. Pitts contributed much to the leadership of the School. In 1965, The Kerala Nurses and Midwifery Council recognized the school. It offered General Nursing. Miss M. Bardsely provided yeomen services to the School of Nursing for.years. Today, TMM School of Nursing is one of the most prestigious and finest nursing training centres in India, with over 1000 graduates already excelling in their skills and services, world over, including USA, Europe, Australia and the Gulf countries.
College of Nursing: Started in 2004, the TMM College of Nursing has already carved a niche among paramedical training in India. This four year programme leads to Bachelor of Science in Nursing, affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, and recognized by KNMC and INC. The college is declared by the National Commission for Minority Education Institutions as a minority educational institution. TMM does not take capitation fee from any of the students. Excellent faculty, modern academic and living facilities, a variety of skill development opportunities and a family environment add to the reputation of TMM courses.
Spiritual Care: Since wholesome care for the body, mind and soul is the commitment of TMM, Bible-based spiritual counseling is offered, free of cost. A Chaplain couple and other evangelists are totally available for this service. Open air sharing of the Gospel of Christ and personal witnessing in the wards are greatly appreciated by the patients. Moreover, a number of them approach the chaplain for counseling. The staff also have regular Bible study, besides occasional retreats and camps. We are delighted the heaven is rejoicing in our humble but significant labour of love in this regard. We thank God that a large number of students leave the campus after experiencing an inner transformation. Only eternity would reveal its full impact.
Expansion: A new multi-storey building with a total floor space of 80,000 sq. ft in four floors as the first phase is under construction. It is expected that in 2010 the new building will be completed and commissioned. In the second phase, another 4 floors will also be constructed. Those whose hearts are touched by God can share with this work as the Lord enables them.
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