33rd AGBM of RUPCHA at Jalandhar
33rd AGBM of RUPCHA at Jalandhar
The 33rd Annual General Body Meeting of RUPCHA was held on Thursday, 09 November 2023. A total of 102 members participated in the meeting. The theme for the AGBM was, ‘Catholic Healthcare: Within & beyond the Walls’.
The meeting began with Holy Eucharistic Celebration at 9.00 a.m. Rev. Bp. Agnelo Rufino Gracias, Apostolic Administrator of Jalandhar Diocese was the main Celebrant.
The Inaugural session started at 10.45 a.m. with a general welcome by Fr. Dr. Sebastian OFM Cap., Director of Rupcha. Prayer service led by Sr. Linet SH, Director of Jeeva Jyoti Social Works, Najafgarh.
Fr. Sabu PL, Vice President of RUPCHA & Director of Fatima Hospital, Gorakhpur welcomed the dignitaries, the Chief Guest, Rev. Bp. Agnelo Rufino Gracias, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Jalandhar; Rev. Sr. Grace Poomkudy SH, Provincial, Jeeva Jyoti Province, Delhi; & the Resource Persons, Dr. Nirmal Ouseppachan IAS, Sr. Reshma Mathew UMI and Sr. Anila SABS, and delegates to the program.
Next Fr. Sabu presented the key-note address. He shared the gist of the theme – ‘Catholic Healthcare: within & beyond Walls’, purpose of the event, primary issues and need of the present time.
Chief Guest, Rev. Bp. Agnelo Gracias inaugurated the meeting by lighting the lamp, followed by other dignitaries on dais. Thereafter He delivered the Inaugural Address. He insisted on the need of telehealth in the present rural conditions.
Sr. Grace Poomkudy SH delivered the Presidential Address. She explained her experiences as a board member of Rupcha and as the former administrator of the Hospital. Telehealth is a vast area and shall be useful for our majority of institutions as they are working in the remote areas.
Then, Chief Guest, Rev. Bp. Agnelo Gracias released the Annual Activity report of Rupcha for the year 2022-’23. And Sr. Grace SH released the RUPCHA calendar for the year ‘2024’.
The Scientific Session was led by Dr. Nirmal Ouseppachan IAS, the doctor turned IAS officer hails from Kerala. The topic of the scientific session was ‘Catholic Healthcare: within & beyond the Walls’.
Next Sr. Reshma UMI, Director of Karunashraya Samajik Seva Kendra and Sr. Anila SABS, Administrator of Caritas Mission Hospital Bhikhiwind, shared their successful telehealth experiences, its advantages & benefits with real life examples.
The Business Session started with a welcome address by Fr. Sabu PL, the Vice President. He welcomed all and gave introductory notes to the session. Sr. Preeti Margaret presented the minutes of the previous meeting. Sr. Vinaya Francis UMI, Treasurer, presented the audited financial reports for the year 2022-23 and the forecast for the year 2023-24. Fr. Sebastian, Director presented the activity report, in concise.
The Integrated MoA and Rules & Regulation documents were presented to the general body for approval and the body approved the integration. It was approved by the governing board in its earlier meeting. And the new disintegrated policy documents were also presented for approval and the policies were approved by the general body.
An election to the Governing Board was conducted and Sr. Sini Kurian SH from Sacred Heart Hospital, Jalandhar & Fr. Sebastian Kollithanam from KNEUS, Agra were elected to the governing board by the general body. Thereafter Sr. Sini Kurian was elected as the Treasurer of Rupcha.
Sr. Dr. Preeti Margaret BS, Secretary said vote of thanks to the outgoing members, Sr. Vinaya Francis UMI & Fr. George PA.
Fr. Sebastian OFM Cap., Director of Rupcha said the vote of thanks to all, especially to the Sisters of Sacred Heart Hospital under the leadership of Sr. Usha SH, the Administrator. In between the sessions, students of Sacred Heart School of Nursing performed many cultural programs. Miss Rachel & Miss Cicy, Nursing staff of Sacred Heart Hospital were the MCs.
Next day, we had arranged an outing for the participants and 40 were participated in the trip.