ICMC St Patrick's Mission Hospital

Sakunthala, a young girl at House of Peace orphanage suffered from Mitral Stenosis. A fatherless girl whose mother earns just a dollar a day, could not afford the necessary treatments. Dr Neva took her to a cardiologist in a private hospital in Salem. ECG, Echo and other preliminary tests were done. The cardiologist said that there are two options: an open heart surgery where a large scar would be obvious and the post operative period of about 10 days would be painful. This surgery was cheaper – US$700 – but could be fatal. The other option was Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty where they reach the heart through the Femoral Vein and inflate a balloon where there is stenosis. This surgery is scar free and the post operative period of 1-2 days would be painless. However this surgery was costlier – US$ 2000.

We prayed and said that God would provide money for this girl so told the cardiologist that we would opt for the Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty. Supporters from the US came forward to support the surgery. Sakunthala is now fine and happy with no more distress. She is currently on Infective Endocarditic prophylaxis and anti-coagulant medication which she will continue all her life.

Sakunthala after recovering from her operation

Burn-contractures Released

Mani, a 13 yr old boy, has a tragic story. His mother committed suicide by burning herself in a fire, dragging Mani into the flames following a quarrel with her husband. Luckily a neighbour heard the commotion but sadly could only save the badly-burned Mani. His father re-married and had further children, discarding Mani to the House of Peace. Mani had contractures in his arms and finger. We took him to a plastic surgeon who released the contractures. Now Mani can stretch and use his hands like any other child. Mani loves the House of Peace orphanage and enjoys staying there.

Dr Neva tells Mani’s story.

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Special Individual Care

Removal of Plate

Vijaya, 8th std underwent surgery for the removal of a steel plate from her left leg which was causing much pain.

A Special Shoe for a Special Boy

Muthu pandi has deformities in both legs and was taken to the Orthopedician to be provided with special corrective shoes.

Artificial Leg Provided

An artificial leg was provided to a boy who had to undergo a below knee amputation due to sarcoma of his left knee. His father is blind and his mother has a heart disease; they couldn’t afford his treatment so they came to us.

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Accident & Emergency Care

Appendicectomy

Appendicitis is a medical emergency where surgery is mandatory as soon as possible. As it is an emergency, we rush the children to the hospital.

Broken Bones

With children being children, there are always scrapes and broken bones that need tending to. These children are taken to the orthopedician, where X-rays are taken and necessary treatment given.

Iyyanar with his broken arm and a wide smile

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Health Checks

Vision

Children with vision problems such as long/short sightedness are checked at the House of Peace and taken to the Ophthalmologist for check up.

ENT Care

Children with Ear, Nose and Throat problems are taken to an ENT specialist in Salem city and operations or treatment such as tonsillectomy are performed.

Dental

All of the children undergo a routine dental check-up every six months by the medical team. Extraction, filling, root canal treatment and other dental procedures are then performed by a qualified dentist in Salem city if needed.

Eye test — An eye test being carried out at the Promised Land orphanage.

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Deworming

Worm infestation is very common among children in developing countries. All the children at the House of Peace, Promised Land, Mission Centre & Eden Garden are dewormed every six months.

Children waiting to receive their tablet

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Multi-vitamin Tablets

Thanks to the Irish team, we are able to provide Multi-vitamin tablets for the children daily for two months upon arrival. As our children come from very poor backgrounds, many hardly had one meal a day so are malnourished and anaemic. Thus the multi-vitamin tablets boost their health.

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Prevention is better than cure

In 2007 a vaccination programme was launched at the House of Peace. This continues today and thanks to the Irish and US supporters all newly admitted children are vaccinated as they are admitted. We are proud to say that the House of Peace orphanage is the only orphanage where all children are vaccinated. The children are vaccinated against HIB, Hepatitis-B, Typhoid, MMR, and OPD.

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Health Education

Always a Warm Welcome

Educating the children regarding their health is very important. The medical team gives health education to the children every month. They educate the children on personal hygiene, hand washing, cutting of nails, combing of hair for lice, brushing, bathing and toilet hygiene.

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