Mangaluru: The Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) have taken a major leap forward in pediatric healthcare with the inauguration of Baandavya Child Development Centre, a one-stop hub offering comprehensive care for children with developmental challenges.

The centre, located on the 3rd floor of the Utility Building, was inaugurated by Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of FMCI, and Dr Rajesh Shetty, Managing Director of First Neuro Hospital. Purposefully designed to be child-friendly, Baandavya eliminates the need for parents to navigate multiple hospital corridors, ensuring seamless access to specialist services under one roof.

Visionary initiative for children’s development

Baandavya is the brainchild of Dr Anil Shetty, Professor and Head, Department of Pediatrics, who envisioned a space where medical, emotional, and social needs of children are addressed collaboratively.

“Children are the dream of every parent and the hope of every nation; here, we ensure that hope is nurtured,” prayed Rev. Fr Faustine during the blessing ceremony.

Adding to the warmth of the occasion, interns presented a vibrant and heartwarming reel that captured the spirit of Baandavya, earning loud applause from the audience.

Emotional connections and community impact

Speaking at the formal programme in the Decennial Memorial Hall, Dr Rajesh Shetty reflected on his personal connection to Father Muller, where he was raised as the son of Dr K. Sudhakar Shetty, the institution’s first qualified psychiatrist who served for over five decades.

“This centre is a boon for Mangaluru and will, in time, be the apple of the eye of Father Muller Medical College Hospital. Baandavya reflects a rare blend of vision, compassion, and affordability,” he remarked.

In his presidential address, Rev. Fr Faustine explained the meaning of Baandavya—a bond uniting the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of a child. Citing St. Irenaeus, he added, “The glory of God is man fully alive,” reinforcing the mission to help children reach their highest potential.

Multidisciplinary care under one roof

The centre offers developmental assessments, counseling, interventions, parental education, and personalised therapies for conditions such as:

  • Developmental delays

  • Learning difficulties

  • Behavioral disorders

  • Autism spectrum disorder

  • ADHD

  • Speech and language impairments

  • Motor skill challenges

Its multidisciplinary team includes developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, audiologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, special educators, occupational therapists, neurologists, and nutritionists—all working towards helping children thrive at home, in school, and in society.

Celebrated inauguration

The event was compered by Prof. Cynthia Santhmayor, Principal, Father Muller College (Speech & Hearing), who also welcomed the gathering. Dr Jason Glen D’Souza, Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, delivered the vote of thanks.

Also on the dais were:

  • Rev. Dr Michael Santhumayor, Administrator, FMMC

  • Rev. Fr George Jeevan Sequeira, Administrator, FMMCH

  • Dr Antony Sylvan Dsouza, Dean, FMMC

  • Rev. Fr William D’Souza, Assistant Administrator

  • Dr Uday Kumar, Medical Superintendent

The 350-seat hall was filled with faculty, well-wishers, and dignitaries, reflecting the community’s pride in this new chapter for FMCI.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Anil Shetty expressed gratitude to FMCI’s leadership for their unwavering commitment to children’s healthcare and prayed for blessings on all who seek healing at Baandavya.