Mizo Missionary Doctor Travels to Serve Kandhamal Victims

By Dibin Samuel

A nurse gestures at the Moorshead Memorial Christian Hospital Trust.

Thanks to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church, a missionary doctor will now be available full time to serve the victims of violence in Kandhamal.

Dr. KC Zova along with his wife and one year old son reached Kandhamal on Friday, January 28.

Dr. Zova will serve at the Moorshead Memorial Christian Hospital Trust (MMCHT), a reputed dispensary that has enormously contributed to improving health status and quality of life for dalits and tribals in the region.

"It was a very challenging decision to leave behind a good job and travel to a violence-affected region where I can serve the needy and displaced. I always wanted to use my medical expertise to serve God's purpose. I am happy I got this opportunity," said Dr. Zova, a native of Aizawl.

He added: "People here are in dire need of medical aid. Two years after the violence, still so much is to be done to restore their normal lives. After reaching I found that the families needed special care and treatment. I realise serving them is serving God.”

The hospital, which was founded in the year 1937, currently has 22 indoor patients who were victims of the 2008 violence and are cared by the staff. It runs a rehabilitation center for the mentally retarded and physically challenged, and also has a training school for students.
Incidentally, since 1970 the hospital has not had a full time missionary doctor to serve the needs of the poor.

"We are very happy to have an enthusiastic and committed person like Dr. Zova. His presence and support will help us serve the medically underserved communities, especially the families of the 2008 violence," said Dr. Pradeep Mallik, director of the MMCHT.

A people’s tribunal headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court AP Shah last year said there was a lack of trauma counselling, medical assistance and other forms of humanitarian assistance for Christians in the aftermath of the violence.

It urged the state authorities to provide immediate medical and psychological, particularly trauma counselling to the victims, particularly the women and children.

via christiantoday