‘Urgent’ funds needed to complete Indian Orthodox Church’s mega project at Parumala, the St Gregorios Cancer Care Centre

The Indian Malankara Orthodox Church
Liju Cherian
29/6/2012

SGICCC to be Asians Largest Cancer Care Center

# Fr Shaji M Baby, Finance Director, begins Gulf visit to source funds
# Long-term investors to be issued bonds signed by HH Catholiocs
# Work now on in progress at Blocks ‘A’ and ‘B’
# Building when complete to have 10 floors
# Individuals and corporate companies requested to contribute

MUSCAT — Construction work is on a brisk pace at the Indian Orthodox (Malankara) Church’s mega project for charity, St Gregorios International Cancer Care Centre, coming up at Parumala. Parumala is a small village and island on the banks of Pampa River in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district and immensely popular for the presence of the tomb of St Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni), the greatest saint belonging to the Indian Orthodox (Malankara) Church.

The prestigious Rs 120-crore project and the only one of its kind in Asia when ready, is being owned and managed by the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Indian Orthodox Church.

Rev Fr Shaji Mukadiyil Baby, the newly appointed Finance Director by HH the Catholicos, is presently undertaking a visit to Orthodox churches in the Gulf to source funds for the timely completion of the cancer care centre by 2014. Fr Shaji, looks after the financial aspects of the construction work and is engaged in sourcing funds required to complete the work on time for this prestigious project. He is presently visiting Orthodox church members in Muscat and Salalah in the Sultanate to drum up support towards this missionary cause.

St Gregorios Medical Mission Hospital, is the parent organisation of St Gregorios International Cancer Care Centre. It is owned and controlled by the society of Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Syrian Church, and its Head HH Baselius Marthoma Paulose II, the Catholicose of the Apostolic Throne of St Thomas is also the Metropolitan President in a new role. The high-power committee is aided by three other Metropolitans in HG Dr Mathews Mar Severios, Metropolitan, Kandanad West, HG Dr Yuhanon Mar Chrisostomos, Metropolitan, Niranam, and HG Dr Zachariah Mar Aprem, Metropolitan, Adoor Diocese.
Rev Fr Shaji Baby took over from Rev Fr Alexander Koodarathil, who was the Chief Executive Officer, for the project when it was launched in 2009.
At the Muscat Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka (MGOME), Fr Shaji screened a documentary titled Thoovalsparsham detailing about the latest works being undertaken at the centre and explained about the urgent need to fulfill the task on time. By 2014, the dream project of the Cancer Care Centre aimed at providing treatment for cancer patients at an affordable cost should be ready.

Later addressing a meeting of the parishioners in the presence of MGOME Vicar/President Rev Fr Joji George and Associate Vicar, Fr Binu John Thomas, Fr Shaji explained about the dire need for funds to stave off an impending crisis. “The construction is divided into 3 blocks namely A, B & C with A, B being the ongoing projects. “At present building for the first floor is on. On an average we require over a crore every month for the construction works to carry on smoothly. The ground level will have 2 floors with the remaining 8 coming above for a total of 10 floors. Due to shortage of funds, I decided to visit the Gulf countries where I am confident the Orthodox faithful will help me tide the crisis.”

Contributors investing in the project can get back the amount after 5 years. They will be provided bonds signed by HH the Catholicos and also stand to benefit from yearly treatments. Institutions, churches and individuals can also name the wards in memory of their dear ones and have plaques installed.
Rev Fr Shaji, formerly Vicar of Muscat Mar Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka (2005-2008), began his Sultanate visit upon specific instructions from the Supreme head of the Indian (Malankara) Orthodox Church. He will also soon undertake visits to Orthodox churches in the UAE.

A seven-member executive committee, technical committee, engineers, supervisors, project directors meets every Wednesday to take stock of the progress on the project and also holds technical meetings.

Work on the cancer centre began in 2009. The structural work for the mega project is expected to be over by next year and the centre is expected to be fully operational by 2014. Chennai-based Consolidated Construction Consortium (CCCL) is the lead builders for the project.
In January this year, the final concreting of bunker area was held marking an important mile stone of the Cancer Care Centre. The concreting of the bunker roof was held non-stop for 64 hours by Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC). The project boasts 350,000 square feet building with 450 beds. Also planned is a Medical City that includes a world class Cardio Vascular Centre headed by famous cardio vascular surgeon Dr K M Cherian, a De-addiction Centre, and Mar Osthathios Palliative Services (MOPS).

The St Gregorios Medical Mission at Parumala, since 1975, already possesses clinical facilities, except radiotherapy facility at the centre. The full-fledged cancer centre will have exclusive cancer wards, qualified and experienced personnel and radiotherapy treatment facilities. The new facility will have 17 different departments including palliative care, hospice, nuclear medicine, radio therapy and others.
Rev Fr Shaji Baby has kindly requested to contribute towards this healing mission built in the name of St Parumala.
Contact the Finance Director on +91- 9446600107, +91-9526390810

Cheques/drafts in favour of SGICCC, Parumala.
A/C # 11310200003697, IFSC Code: FDRL 0001131
Federal Bank, Mannar – 689 622, Kerala, India.
St Gregorios International Cancer Care Centre (SGICCC)
Parumala P O, Pathanamthitta Dist, Kerala – 689 626
E: sgicccparumala@gmail.com
www.sgiccc.com
Tel: +91 479-2312266/2312465
Fax: +91-479-2312866

Source:
Liju Cherian