The 81st CHAI Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) took place on the 26th and 27th of September 2024, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM at St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore. The meeting has the participation of over 250 onsite attendees and more than 500 online participants from CHAI’s 11 regional units.

Reflecting the internal and external challenges faced by CHAI’s member institutions, theme chosen for this year was, “Long-Term Sustainability of the Healthcare Mission,” which explored through three key dimensions: Sustainability of Mission & Ministry, Financial Sustainability, and the Self-sustainability of Leadership.

Day I:
The event began with a Holy Mass led by Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CHAI’s ecclesiastical advisor, followed by the hoisting of the CHAI flag and the inaugural session has begun with a warm welcome to the participants Sr. Victoria Narichiti JMJ, President of CHAI, and Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam, Director of St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, extended his greetings.

Thematic session commenced with an introduction to Long-Term Sustainability by Fr. Mathew Abraham, C.Ss.R, Director General of CHAI. He shared insights on CHAI’s wide reach through its health centers, care and support institutions, and partnerships with public and private sectors.

Sustainability of Mission & Ministry – I was presented by Dr. John Oommen, followed by Sustainability of Mission & Ministry – II by Sr. Britto Madassery, HC, who discussed sustainable initiatives in healthcare. Financial Sustainability of Mission & Ministry – III was led by Sr. Marina Abraham, SCC, while Fr. George Kannanthanam, CMF, facilitated a discussion on Sustainability of Mission & Ministry – IV.

A panel discussion moderated by Mrs. Mercy John addressed how hospitals can develop sustainable strategies and navigate current challenges. This session included valuable inputs from Fr. Mathew Abraham, Sr. Britto, Dr. John Oommen, Sr. Marina Abraham, and Fr. George Kannanthanam.

Post-lunch, the focus shifted to Sustainable Leadership and Financial Sustainability, with presentations from Dr. Santhosh Mathew, Sr. Dr. Blanch Ancintha Rosario, FdCC, and Dr. Evita Fernandez, who reflected on seven decades of financial management at Fernandez Hospital. The ensuing panel, moderated by Dr. Priya John, explored practical steps to address the sustainability and how to deal with burnout in leadership and staff.

The event ensued by MGLB award presentation for institution outside CHAI Network presented to the organization People with Hearing Impairment Network, and the award for organization within the CHAI network is presented to “Anandavani, Sacred Heart Congregation”. In the category of individual within CHAI network is presented to Sr. Anupama SND and individual outside CHAI network to Mr. Kumar Raju. The Mother Giovanna Alberoni Memorial Award was presented to Sr. Dr. Hermina from the Sisters of St. Ann’s Society. The evening closed with a cultural celebration featuring traditional performances by young sisters and students.

Day II:
The second day began with a Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore. The day’s thematic sessions centred around Financial Sustainability, with presentations by Dr. Vijay Anand Ismavel, Fr. Binu Kunnath, and Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanickam. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Swami Subramaniam explored the balance between compassion and financial sustainability in not-for-profit hospitals.

Later, Mr. Senthil Kumar Gurunathan spoke on achieving Data, Visibility, and Sustainability for CHAI’s member institutions, followed by Fr. Biju Madathikunnel, C.Ss.R, who presented on how to effectively showcase work done by MIs to potential funders in the session titled “Telling Our Stories for Sustainability.”

Post lunch the business session commenced with announcement of the upcoming Director General by Fr. Mathew and later welcomed the new DG Sr. Dr. Helen and introduced her to the floor. Election of office bearers for the national board was conducted during the Business Session. The event concluded with discussing various statutory matters.

Please click the link to view the content from the thematic sessions as a learning resource for CHAI’s 3,500+ members, especially for those unable to attend the event in real time.