Bethany Hospitals held the 2nd Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang Memorial Oration yesterday, an annual event to commemorate the legacy and contribution of the hospital’s founder.
Dr Sailo Ryntathiang was one of the very first casualties of Covid-19 in Meghalaya in 2020.
This year’s oration was delivered by Kethoser Kevichusa, a prominent public speaker and acclaimed writer. Kevichusa’s notable achievements include being the recipient of the prestigious first Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature.
Kevichusa reflected on the core values of Bethany Hospitals – Compassion, Care and Commitment. He stressed the significance of compassion in the medical field, distinguishing it from empathy, emphasising that compassion involves not only understanding the pain and suffering of others but also having a profound desire to alleviate that suffering.
He also discussed the history of hospitals evolving from places of cure to places of care. Kevichusa praised hospitals for their compassionate approach to healthcare. The speaker pointed out that while hospitals primarily aim to cure, care is equally vital. Care, in this context, is not just about physical healing but also about providing comfort and support to patients. The speaker advocated for healthcare professionals to see their patients as individuals, emphasising quality of life rather than quantity.
Kevichusa emphasized the need for a commitment to care in healthcare, suggesting that care transcends curing, providing comfort and focusing on the quality of life. Additionally, he discussed the importance of a commitment to community, charity, confidentiality and conscience within the medical field.
In conclusion, Kevichusa suggested that healthcare professionals should consider their work a calling from God. Finally, the speaker reflected on the term “Bethany” which means “house of misery” or “house of suffering” and that Bethany Hospitals symbolises “hospitality in the house of affliction.”
