Agartala — Health Care services in the northeastern state of Tripura got a much-needed impetus with the inauguration of St. Joseph Hospital at the capital city of Agartala on 19th March 2015. Shri Pabitra Kar, the Local MLA and Deputy Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly inaugurated the hospital and called it a ‘boon for the people of Tripura’. Built, managed and owned by Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy (SJA) Bhubaneswar, St. Joseph’s has become the first Catholic hospital in the northeastern state of Tripura.

The inauguration was immediately followed by blessing of the newly built hospital building by Holy Cross Bishop Lumen Monteiro of Agartala who had stood at the same spot and laid the foundation for the structure in May 2012.

The Agartala diocese has donated the plot of land to St. Joseph of Annecy Sisters for the purpose of the hospital.

Addressing a large gathering Bishop Monteiro said that St. Joseph’s Hospital added ‘a new dimension to the ministry of the Church’ and is undoubtedly a ‘welcome addition to the many developmental activities’ the Church is engaged in.

The prelate further called it a red-letter day in the annals of the Catholic Church in Tripura, a day on which its much awaited dream became a reality. He hoped the hospital that began in a humble manner would grow and become an institution whose contribution will bring about significant improvements in the lives of the people of Tripura.

Minister for Education, government of Tripura Shri Tapan Chakrabarty thanked and congratulated “those who have taken this wonderful and immensely relevant initiative and wished it all success.”

The minister also praised the work of the missionaries in the state of Tripura.

Sr. Linette, the Provincial Superior of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy, Bhubaneswar province said they hope to provide ‘quality patient-centred health care at affordable rates’ at St Joseph hospital.

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy had its origin in France and came to India in 1849 with the noble mission of providing education, health care and social service to everyone, especially to the poor and disadvantaged sections of the society. They run hospitals and dispensaries in a number of places in urban and rural India. They arrived in Tripura in 2010 in response to the invitation of Bishop Lumen of Agartala.

Sr. Linette says, “At the moment the following facilities will be available at St. Joseph Hospital: Critical care unit (Casualty), Out- patient department (OPD), General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laboratory service (Pathology, Hematology, Biochemistry) and Holistic Nursing Care. END