Father Muller Medical College (FMMC) has expanded its rural healthcare outreach with the inauguration of a Dental clinic and Specialty Outpatient Departments at the Father Muller Salvadore Monteiro Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) in Bajpe.
The new facilities aim to provide accessible and specialised medical services to underserved rural communities while reducing the need for patients to travel to the institution’s main campus at Kankanady.
The departments were blessed by Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, who also led a prayer service. Rev. Dr. Michael L. Santhumayor, Administrator of FMMC, delivered the welcome address. Local donor Mr. Salvadore Monteiro formally inaugurated the facilities by cutting the ribbon.
The RHTC serves as the rural extension arm of the teaching hospital system. It provides primary and preventive care to nearby villages and functions as a training centre for medical students. Rural health centres are designed to bridge the gap between tertiary hospitals and remote communities by delivering essential services closer to patients’ homes.
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo said the addition of dental and specialty services would ease the burden on rural patients who face difficulties travelling long distances for routine consultations and treatment.
He clarified that the centre will offer essential and primary care, while patients requiring advanced medical intervention will 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 aim not only to treat illness but also to ensure patients feel supported and cared for,” he said.
Along with the Dental clinic, the Bajpe centre will now provide extended physiotherapy services. Specialty consultation units from Father Muller Medical College Hospital will operate at the RHTC on designated days, enabling patients to access expert medical opinions locally.
The dental unit was inaugurated by Mr. Monteiro, the specialty consultation units by Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, and the physiotherapy unit by Fr. Michael L. Santhumayor.
Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo thanked Mr. Monteiro for his philanthropic support, noting that community contributions play a vital role in strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure. He also commended the dedication of doctors, nurses and support staff serving in rural areas under challenging conditions.
Among those present were Dr. Antony Sylvan D’Souza, Dean of FMMC; 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, RHTC In-charge; and Dr. Madhu Malar, along with faculty members and staff.
The programme was organised by Dr. Rachana K. Nair and compered by Dr. Madhu Malar.
The inauguration marks another step in FMMC’s commitment to grassroots healthcare. By decentralising services while maintaining institutional standards, the college aims to strengthen access to quality dental, physiotherapy and specialty care for residents of Bajpe and surrounding villages in coastal Karnataka.