Mangalore, May 2 (DHNS) : Recognising the services of traditional nurses who take care of puerperal women (Bananthi Sakuvavaru), Vamanjoor Peter Memorial Church honoured as many as eight Christian traditional nurses, as a part of 9th anniversery celebration of the Church, first anniversary of the new building of the church and May Day.
Frida Reena Maben (92) from Vamanjoor who has taken care of over 200 puerperal women, Jenet Salins (81) from Bokkapatna who has cared for 60 puerperal women, Stella Irene Soans (77), from Vamanjoor who has taken care of 25 such women, Sulochani L Maben (74) from Vamanjoor who has taken care of 136 women, Jeevarathna Soans (69) from Balmatta who has taken care of over 165 women, Celestine Maben (67) from Balmatta who has taken care of 22 women, Nanda Stella Soans (55) from Gorigudde who has taken care of 30 women and Esther Maben (44) from Thokottu who has taken care of 20 women were felicitated during the programme.Of the eight, Jeevarathna Soans, Nanda Stella Soans and Esther Maben still do the service while Celestine Maben only prepares special medicines and food given to puerperal women, on demand. The rest of them have stopped doing the service.
Most of the women have the experience of having taken care of some of the most challenging cases such as children born with cleft lips, children born in six months, underweight new borns and those kids with physical infirmities.
Jeevaratna Soans is said to have taken care of both the kids of Bollywood star Sridevi and some other small screen actresses.
Addressing the gathering, area corporator Meera Ashok, who also happens to be retired nursing superintendent, lauded the services of these traditional nurses who take care of the new born and mothers with great love and affection. “There are many women who have taken care of babies born in six months. Today, such kids are kept in incubator. Despite advances in technologies, the chances of such kids surviving is rather bleak, but here are these women having the experience of taking care of and giving life to kids born in six months, without any technological know-how. It shows their dedication and expertise,” said the Corporator.
Karnataka Southern Diocese Treasurer Udayraj Kaunds, Karnataka Southern Diocese DK area Chairman Daniel Kaudinya, Church Pastor Suguna Jathanna among others were present.