Ludhiana, December 10
"Christian Medical College (CMC), a pioneer institute, was designed to train doctors till the highest level of excellence. For the progress of the institute, the management, the administration and faculty should restrain from treating it as a place for earning money." These views were expressed by Mr Charles Reynolds, international healthcare consultant, former executive director of the CMC Board in the USA and former member of the governing body of the CMC. Mr Charles is here on a private visit.
In an exclusive interview with Ludhiana Tribune, Mr Charles shared his feelings and memories about the institute. "The big institute like CMC cannot be run with a remote control. The management should find the director from their own country, who take interest in the benefit of the institute and should establish a good rapport with the faculty, which, otherwise has lost faith in the management", maintained Mr Charles.
On the issue of exodus of expertise from the CMC, Mr Charles said that it was because of unhappiness that prevailed amongst faculty members. "The institute has always been recognised worldwide because of its expert faculty members. In our times, i.e. in 1965, we had wonderful people. The students were very fortunate as they studied under brilliant
teachers. There were American doctors who served the institute without any ulterior motive. They had the missionary spirit in them. They raised money for the welfare of institute and students, developed programmes and built many new buildings. But now, things have changed. The leadership is entirely in the national hands, who are trying to fulfil their own agenda, thus neglecting the missionary spirit," said Mr Charles.
Mr Charles, who visited the Pondicherry institute recently, said that he was surprised to see the number of doctors from the CMC, Ludhiana, serving in that institute. "There is dedication and devotion among the staff, which are working under the leadership of Dr Abraham Thomas, a worldwide renowned plastic surgeon, who worked in the CMC for years but left the institute because of certain misunderstandings with the management. In the Pondicherry institute, there are 28 registered Ludhiana CMC Alumni. But the CMC faculty has its own grievances, they feel that they are not being heard", Mr Charles added.
Mr Charles, however, feels an institute is not recognised because of new buildings or beautiful campus. It is the satisfaction and happiness among the staff of that institute which runs it smoothly.
"At present, I am writing a book, ''The Holy Tree'' on the CMC. By the grace of God, I am planning to get it released by July next year. People say that CMC is facing a bleak future but I am sure God will provide support to the tree (CMC) as it is a healing tree. I feel that the pioneer institute will return to its past glory," said Mr Charles.
