Mangaluru: Father Muller Medical College strengthened its rural healthcare outreach with the inauguration of a Dental Outpatient Department and Specialty Outpatient Departments at the Father Muller Salvadore Monteiro Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC), Bajpe. The facility serves as the rural extension arm of the institution and aims to deliver accessible and specialised medical services to underserved communities.
The newly established departments were blessed by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, who also led the prayer service. A welcome address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Michael L. Santhumayor, Administrator of FMMC. The facilities were formally inaugurated by local donor Mr. Salvadore Monteiro by cutting the ribbon, marking the commencement of expanded healthcare services for Bajpe and neighbouring rural areas.
Strengthening rural healthcare access
The Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) functions as a vital extension of the teaching hospital system, providing primary and preventive care to rural populations while also serving as a training ground for medical students. According to the concept of a Rural health centre, such facilities bridge the gap between tertiary hospitals and remote communities by ensuring essential medical services are available closer to home.
Delivering his message, Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo emphasised that the addition of dental and specialty services at Bajpe was intended to reduce the burden on rural patients who often face difficulty travelling to the main hospital at Kankanady for routine consultations and treatments.
He clarified that while essential and primary treatments would be provided at the Rural Health Training Centre, patients requiring advanced medical intervention would continue to be referred to the Kankanady campus, where comprehensive tertiary facilities are available.
“Our doors are always open for care. Our motto is ‘Heal and Comfort’. We do not only aim to treat illnesses but also to ensure that patients feel supported and cared for,” he stated.
Multi-disciplinary services under one roof
Along with the Dental OPD, extended services from the Department of Physiotherapy will now be provided at the Bajpe centre. In addition, specialty consultation units from Father Muller Medical College Hospital will function at the RHTC on designated days, enabling rural patients to access expert opinions without long-distance travel.
The dental section was inaugurated by Mr. Salvadore Monteiro, the specialty consultation units by Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, and the Physiotherapy unit by Fr. Michael L. Santhumayor.
The initiative represents a coordinated effort to decentralise healthcare delivery while maintaining quality standards aligned with the parent institution.
Acknowledging community support and service
Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo expressed gratitude to donor Mr. Salvadore Monteiro for his generous support in enabling the establishment and expansion of the centre. He acknowledged that philanthropic contributions continue to play a critical role in strengthening community-based healthcare infrastructure.
He also appreciated the dedication of doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and support personnel who serve in comparatively challenging rural conditions. Their commitment, he noted, ensures that quality healthcare reaches marginalised and underserved populations.
Among those present on the occasion were Dr. Antony Sylvan D’Souza, Dean of Father Muller Medical College; Dr. Sudhir Prabhu, Head of the Department of Community Medicine; Fr. George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital; Prof. Cherishma, Principal of FMCOP; Dr. Nandita, Head of the Dental Department; Dr. Rachana K. Nair, Assistant Professor and RHTC In-charge; Dr. Madhu Malar; along with faculty members and staff.
The entire programme was arranged by Dr. Rachana K. Nair and compered by Dr. Madhu Malar, Senior Resident, Community Medicine.
Commitment to grassroots healthcare
The inauguration of the Dental and Specialty OPDs at Bajpe underscores Father Muller Medical College’s continued focus on grassroots healthcare delivery. By extending essential and specialist services to rural areas, the institution reinforces its mission of combining medical education with compassionate community service.
With these new facilities in place, residents of Bajpe and surrounding villages can now access quality dental, physiotherapy and specialty consultations closer to home, reflecting a sustainable model of rural healthcare strengthening in coastal Karnataka.
