Myanmar – Fr Giacomin Clinic in Anisakan re-opened

21 June 2019

(ANS – Anisakan) – The 50 year old tradition of Anisakan Salesians caring for the poor and sick in the neighborhood was given a new start on 3 June with the opening of the “Father Giacomin Clinic” thanks to the initiative of the Provincial House community with the support of the Planning and Development Office (PDO). After three days of intense prayers before the opening, the Salesians gave thanks to all the benefactors and volunteers involved in this project: Raymond and Joyce Family, Martin and Geri, as well as many others.

The Giacomin Clinic is located in the Salesian compound at Anisakan, and features two volunteer doctors: Han Zaw Htun M.B., B.S. (Mandalay) and Thu Thu Nyein M.B., B.S., a husband and wife team. Through them the Salesians shall contact two more doctors from Pyin Oo Lwin. The Clinic shall open 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) from 5 to 7 PM, when people are usually free and back from work. One College student volunteer is keeping the Register and the records during office hours. So far, the basic equipment and medicines have all been provided.

The history of the Clinic goes back to 1957 when the Nazareth Aspirantate in Anisakan opened a small infirmary for the boys attending the 'Nazareth Seminary'.  Services slowly extended also to the local population with a small clinic. Thanks to the regularity and quality care offered to the poor and sick people around Anisakan area, our services became a very much appreciated social work serving hundreds of local people of any and all cultures and religions, the majority being Buddhists. Thanks to the personal interest and commitment of the late Fr Fortunato Giacomin, who was based in Anisakan from 1968 until his death in 2000, this ministry has flourished. He gave his heart and soul to this ministry which has maintained and provided a high level of health care to people.

The clinic's two spacious rooms, at the entrance to Nazareth Aspirantate, were well-supplied with medicines. Three volunteer medical doctors from Pyin Oo Lwin (nearby town, where our Postnovitiate is now located) would come 3 times a week and offered free medical services. When they were absent, Fr Giacomin would dispense medicines according to doctors' prescriptions. The Salesians also offered free transportation for patients from distant areas. However, due to lack of financial support after Fr Giacomin's death, these services slowly faded. With the reopening of the Clinic we reconnect to the 50 year old tradition and to the heritage of the late Fr Giacomin.

Source: AustraLasia

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