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1993
Introduction
This article gives an overview of the SDFI’s endeavours from its inception in 1993 till 2000. It highlights some of the remarkable events that occurred, and the initiatives taken in the early years to strengthen the Forum.
As the Chinese proverb says, “In the evening you turn back and see how beautiful the day was!” Yes — as we turn back into history, 1993 was a memorable year for SDFI. The Forum was born during the Golden Jubilee celebration of CHAI at Kaloor, Kerala, when the Sister Doctors were present. Fr. John Vathamattam SVD, who was the Director of CHAI then, facilitated the formation of SDFI.
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1994
The 1st National AGBM of the SDFI — Bangalore, May 1994
About 90 Sister Doctors attended the meeting. The General Body elected Sr. Dr. Lillian as President, Sr. Dr. Terezine as Vice President, Sr. Dr. Hermina as Secretary and Sr. Dr. Rosina as Treasurer.
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1994
Memorandum, rules and national office
An important achievement was the preparation of the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations and By-laws. Dr. C.M. Francis, Dean of SJMC, assisted in framing the draft. This was circulated to members at the regional level, and after studying their reactions, suitably modified and approved by the members of the AGBM. The National office of SDFI was established at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore.
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Regions
Eight regions
The Forum, which had 400 members then, formed the following eight regions: Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Western Region, Northern Region, Central Region, and Eastern Region.
The office bearers of SDFI visited the regional units to strengthen them, offered suggestions and encouraged them. Identifying the main thrust areas, the Governing Body gave an action plan to the regional units: (1) Women and Health, (2) AIDS, (3) Rational use of drugs, (4) Pastoral care.
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1995
The 2nd AGBM — SJMC, Bangalore, 20 December 1995
190 members attended. A programme of CME was held on 17th, 18th and 19th December 1995. The CME covered medical problems, AIDS update, obstetrics and gynaecological update, common skin problems and psychiatric problems. There was a discussion on human life issues — ethical and legal aspects — and rational drug therapy.
The members of SDFI have been of immense help to Sister Nurses, Sister Paramedical staff, and other health personnel working in different remote parts of India. Members also showed keen interest to be financially self-reliant and took steps to build a Corpus Fund for the Forum.
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1998
The 5th AGBM — Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, 3 May 1998
Being the year of the Holy Spirit, there was a special sharing on the healing and transforming power of the Holy Spirit by John Vattamattom SVD. Prior to the AGBM, a National Symposium on “Health Priorities and Challenges in India Today” was held on 1st and 2nd May 1998.
Dr. Lillian and Sr. Dr. Hermina were re-elected as President and Secretary. Sr. Dr. Florine was elected as Treasurer.
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2000
The 6th AGBM — Jeevan Jothi, Secunderabad, 18 February 2000
The theme was “Health Care Challenges in the Third Millennium — Our Response as Sister Doctors.” About 90 Sister Doctors attended. Rt. Rev. Dr Arulappa, Archbishop of Secunderabad, gave the presidential address.
The Forum took the initiative to respond to the disastrous situation in Orissa due to the cyclone. Some of the Sister Doctors joined the medical team of SJMC along with CHAI and Action Aid for the relief work.
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2000
Collaboration with CHAI, CMAI, and VHAI
The Forum participated in programmes in collaboration with CHAI, CMAI, and VHAI, including themes on health care priorities, effects of globalization, globalization and liberalization, and alternative models for health.
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1998–2000
CME and international participation
About 50 Sister Doctors attended the CME programme on “Recent Trends in General Practice,” organized by St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences.
About seven Sister Doctors from the Forum attended the international seminar for health personnel at Vatican City, Rome, in October 1998, organized by the Holy See in view of Jubilee 2000. One of the members, Sr. Dr. Concilia from Vijaya Marie Hospital, presented a paper on “Health Situation in Asia” during the seminar.
About eight Sister Doctors who are also Major Superiors attended the National Assembly of CRI at Chennai from 10th to 15th January 2000. The theme was “Yesu Krist Jayanthi — A renewed call for discipleship in the pluralistic context.”
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2000
CRI recognition and closing message — Sr. Dr. Lillian
Sr. Dr. Lillian, the Founder President, contacted the CRI President of the Women’s Section for SDFI to be approved by CRI. She also contacted the Major Superiors of all the Congregations to encourage the Sister Doctors of their congregation to become members of SDFI.
“I thank the Board Members and all the Sister Doctors for their co-operation in building and strengthening the Forum, so that the members may fulfil the aims and objectives by following the mandate of Jesus Christ, the Divine Healer, to bring about health, wholeness and healing to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, age, sex, etc.”