FMCI Signs MoU with SSVP Mangalore Central Council to Extend Credit-Based Healthcare to Needy Families
Mangaluru: In a significant step towards making quality healthcare accessible to economically disadvantaged families, Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP), Mangalore Central Council, on November 5, 2026. The MoU aims to provide credit-based healthcare assistance to families adopted by SSVP under its Diamond Jubilee Project. 
Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, signed the MoU on behalf of Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH) and Father Muller Hospital, Thumbay (FMHT). Rev. Fr. Ashwin Crasta, In-charge Administrator, FMMCH, and Rev. Fr. Rohan Dias, Administrator, FMHT, attended the signing ceremony.
Representing SSVP Mangalore Central Council were its President, Mrs. Preetha Lobo, Treasurer, Mr. James Lewis, and Secretary, Mrs. Flavi Mascarenhas. Under their leadership, the Council continues to uphold the organisation’s century-old tradition of service, compassion and commitment to supporting underprivileged families across the Diocese of Mangalore.
The partnership builds on SSVP’s longstanding charitable mission in the Diocese of Mangalore. The organisation began its journey in 1926 and completed 100 years of service on January 26, 2026. The centenary celebrations were further commemorated by a visit from the International President General of SSVP.
The healthcare initiative covered under the MoU is part of the Diamond Jubilee Project, launched in 2019 to provide timely medical assistance to underprivileged families. Recognising that healthcare expenditure in the region is largely borne out of pocket, SSVP endeavours to support members of the Diocese of Mangalore who live below the poverty line or face financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances. Currently, 623 adopted families, comprising 1,749 members, are covered under the project.
Beyond financial assistance, SSVP’s mission places equal emphasis on providing moral support and helping families regain stability, dignity, and independence. The initiative seeks to empower beneficiaries to become self-reliant and earn their livelihood. The organisation mobilises resources through contributions from its members, door-to-door collections, donations from well-wishers, and support from former beneficiaries who, having overcome their financial difficulties, return to help others in need. This spirit of giving back is also carried forward by their children and succeeding generations.
At Father Muller Charitable Institutions, SSVP currently supports three dedicated healthcare funds: SSVP Trinity Kidney Care, which presently assists 18 patients; the Kidney Care Fund; and the Diamond Jubilee Project.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Rev. Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo appreciated the commendable commitment of the lay faithful who have come together under the banner of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to improve the lives of financially disadvantaged families. He lauded their selfless dedication in reaching out to families in distress, providing not only much-needed financial assistance but also moral support, encouragement, and companionship during challenging times.
He observed that such collective acts of compassion and solidarity empower individuals to regain their dignity, rebuild their lives, and work towards financial independence. He expressed his gratitude to SSVP for its continued service to humanity and appreciated the meaningful partnership with Father Muller Charitable Institutions in making compassionate healthcare accessible to those in need.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Preetha Lobo, President of SSVP Mangalore Central Council, expressed her appreciation for the association with Father Muller Charitable Institutions. She said she had always experienced a homely and friendly atmosphere at the institution, where every patient is treated with utmost care and compassion. She also acknowledged the institution’s commitment to ensuring that patients receive not merely medical treatment but also a reassuring and caring environment throughout their healthcare journey.
Father Muller Charitable Institutions, through its two hospitals — Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Kankanady, and Father Muller Hospital, Thumbay — has consistently extended healthcare services to people from all walks of life. Guided by its motto, “Heal & Comfort,” the institution remains committed to ensuring that financial constraints do not become a barrier to accessing healthcare. Through NGO-supported assistance, institutional concessions, government healthcare schemes, and other welfare initiatives, FMCI endeavours to reach patients in need.
The MoU further strengthens the shared commitment of both organisations to compassionate healthcare and social responsibility. By combining SSVP’s extensive outreach among vulnerable families with Father Muller’s healthcare infrastructure and expertise, the initiative seeks to facilitate timely medical intervention, financial assistance, and renewed hope for families facing healthcare-related hardships.
The collaboration is a meaningful expression of the enduring belief that healthcare is not merely a service but a responsibility towards society. It seeks to ensure that compassion translates into accessible, affordable, and dignified healthcare for those who need it most.