Srinagar: Fr Jeejo Antony Vazhappilly, a priest from Gorakhpur diocese, has been appointed the director of the north Indian arm of the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI).
He replaces Sebastian Kunnathu, who has served as the head of Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Catholic Health Association (RUPCHA), for the past 25 years.
Fr. Antony has been appointed by the Executive Board of RUPCHA.
RUPCHA, which celebrated its silver jubilee in December 2015, is one of the oldest regional forums of CHAI. Originally meant to cover healthcare works of the Church in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, RUPCHA now has all north Indian dioceses under its wing.
Today, it has 27 associate members and more than 200 hospitals, clinics and dispensaries in its fold. Kunnath, who guided the forum from its inception, had to vacate the position after he met with a road accident in December.
Fr Antony has been coordinating health programs in eastern Uttar Pradesh for the past 19 years. Besides, Fatima Hospital he has guided various common projects for health services in eastern UP.
He is a member of T.B Society, Gorakhpur District. He holds a post-graduate degree in health care management from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.