Blessing and Inauguration of the NEW RIHAA Kripa De-addiction Centre, Mandar, North India

Medical Mission Sisters in Unit North India are delighted to announce that the inauguration of the new Rural Integrated Holistic Approach to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction (RIHAA) Kripa De-addiction Centre took place on 29th June, 2024. 

The solemn celebration began by welcoming guests of honour, including Sister Agnes Lanfermann, Society Coordinator of the Medical Mission Sisters, Irene Fernandez, Former Society Coordinator, and others - notably, the chief guest, the Archbishop of Ranchi, Most Reverend Vincent Aind.  The women working at The Mandar Holy Family Hospital Society (TMHFHS) welcomed them in a traditional manner by washing their hands, putting sandalwood paste on the forehead, singing and dancing and holding beautifully decorated umbrellas as a sign of respect. The building was then formally blessed and a colourful cultural programme followed during which the guests were further honoured with gifts.

Medical Mission Sisters were very happy to have their Society Coordinator, Sister Agnes Lanfermann, in their midst along with other guests of honour, notably: Reverend Binay Kandulna, Bishop of Khunti; Reverend Linus Pingal Ekka, Bishop of Gumla; Mrs Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Member of the Legislative Assembly; former Member, Mr Bandhu Tirkey; and Sister Manju Ekka, MMS Unit Coordinator, and some of her team members.  Other well-wishers, present to show solidarity and love on this joyful occasion, included: RIHAA benefactor, Mrs Violet Kandulna; Mr Shubash Jain Bothra and Mr Sanyo Bothra, contractors of the new RIHAA building; priests, youth representatives and men and women from Mandar parish; and members of the Archdiocese of Ranchi.    

The new Kripa De-addiction Centre with all the new facilities for treatment and rehabilitation that it brings is a long-awaited dream which now stands fulfilled. The seed, planted in 1992 by Holy Family Hospital, has grown and, in 2024, borne fruit.

Around six hundred people attended inauguration ceremony. A documentary film about RIHAA, depicting its history, growth and the activities, was screened to help those present to understand how the Centre works and the ways in which it treats patients - right up to the present day. The celebration offered a wonderful opportunity to make this important mission known, raising awareness among the general public about how MMS’ healing presence develops and continues in a significant way. 

In previous years, the de-addiction program was functioning from the Holy Family Hospital, which earlier belonged to MMS, and has since been handed over to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). CBCI have renamed the hospital, the Constant Lievens Hospital and Research Centre.  With the new RIHAA centre built on land belonging to MMS, the de-addiction program will move out of the hospital building, enabling MMS to continue serving people affected by substance abuse for years to come.  This gives a clear signal to the local community in Mandar and to the Church in Chotanagpur that, as a congregation, we are alive and vibrant with a deep passion for mission.

At the Centre, we admit and treat people with drug and alcohol addictions. The duration of their treatment can last from one to three months. It starts with detoxification, followed by sessions on drug awareness, individual and group counselling, yoga and spiritual therapies. There are group activities as well, whether group or work therapy, entertainment, meditation or prayers, designed to make the treatment holistic - physical, mental, and spiritual in its approach.

Today, alcohol and drug addictions are a cause of great concern within society at large, and especially among young people in Jharkhand. MMS’ mission in Mandar aims to help those affected by these addictions to overcome them and adopt more healthy life-styles. The treatment equips students to regain their interest in studies, provides pathways back into employment for others, and helps broken families to function again.  By supporting individuals affected by addiction, the treatment cycle saves entire families from violence and breakdown.

This newly constructed building will provide a very conducive environment for the future treatment programme, whether individual counselling, family counselling or other sessions and seminars. Additionally, RIHAA has a good outreach programme, providing follow up, motivation and awareness seminars.  In past years, there was always an overflow of patients and often the management team had to turn down new admissions, which disappointed families, who were often in despair. The new Centre should overcome such problems, given its additional space and capacity.  On many occasions, people's names were put on a waiting list to gain admission which, in turn, caused tension for the staff team, who were anxious to accommodate all people in need and did not want to send anyone away without treatment.

This Centre requires day and night supervision, which is being offered by MMS. The programme is also used to give: student nurses psychiatric experience for one or two months; MSc students time for exposure; and other religious congregations an opportunity to gain experience in counselling or to work as interns. For one month a year, the Centre is open for counselling education. 

In conclusion, Medical Mission Sisters and the Centre’s staff team are immensely grateful to the main donor who has made the new building possible - namely, Stichting Vrienden Medische Missiezusters in The Netherlands - affectionately known as “Vrienden”.  The generosity of Vrienden’s Trustees has enabled completion of the new building.  We are also grateful to Italian Bishops’ Conference for their generous support, as well as to each and every local donor, and we ask God’s blessings for all.

Sister Anna Varkey - Director, RIHAA Kripa Centre; Sister Pushpa Baxla - Administrator, TMHFHS; and Sister Shiela Tigga - Programme Coordinator, RIHAA Kripa Centre