Shillong, 9 August 2026: The Caring Ministry of Sacred Heart Theological College (SHTC), Mawlai, organized a medical camp on Sunday, 9 August, for children suffering from rickets and related disabilities, continuing its longstanding mission of bringing medical care and hope to disadvantaged children across Meghalaya.
The camp was organized under the leadership of Fr. (Dr.) Joseph Anikuzhikattil, SDB, Director of the Caring Ministry, with the support of a dedicated team of medical professionals and volunteers.
The camp witnessed a significant response from families, with 340 new cases registered and 520 children with previous referrals returning for follow-up examinations and treatment. Altogether, 860 children were attended to during the medical camp.
The medical team comprised five doctors, two nurses, two physiotherapists, one pharmacist and 31 volunteers. The doctors conducted clinical examinations and reviewed the progress of patients, while nurses assisted with patient care and medication. Physiotherapists provided corrective therapy to children suffering from bone and joint deformities, while the pharmacist ensured the proper dispensing of medicines. Volunteers assisted with registration, record-keeping, crowd management and other needs of the children and their families.
A particularly encouraging moment of the camp was the certification of six children as cured. The attending doctors certified that the children had successfully completed their treatment and achieved full correction of their earlier rickets-related deformities.
The medical camp continues the legacy of the Rickets Ministry founded by Fr. Jose Chunkapura in 1989. Over the decades, the ministry has treated more than 26,000 children, becoming a significant source of medical assistance and hope for families in Meghalaya.
Fr. Joseph Anikuzhikattil reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to early intervention and continued medical care, emphasizing that timely treatment and consistent follow-up remain crucial in preventing and reversing rickets-related deformities.
The camp once again reflected the Caring Ministry’s mission of combining professional medical service with compassion, dignity and care for vulnerable children.
Ins Correspondent
