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Sr. Consilia

One roll of her round eyes and mischievous children in church would freeze in their seats. The stern appearance apart, late Dr. Sr. Consilia Fernandez was the epitome of patience and gentleness, blessed with able hands (especially in surgery) that healed hundreds, if not thousands of women she treated at Vijay Marie Hospital, Khairatabad. In stark contrast to medical practitioners of our time, she was all ears when patients narrated their tales of woe. In addition to explaining prescriptions, she would take time to counsel them on diet and precautions.

Although there was reason enough to be proud, she was the model of humility. In 1991 a meritorious service award was conferred on her, the Indira Gandhi National Integration Award in 1996 and the Millennium Excellence award in 1999 on World AIDS Day mostly for her work in mother and child health. Diagnosed with breast cancer way back in 1979, when pursuing her final year of post-graduation, she soldiered on despite being tormented by many more ailments over the years. Through all the trials and tribulations, she never discarded her duties in the hospital, convent or community, where she held high positions. As her colleague Dr. Sr. Susheela Gayam said in tribute at her funeral service, Sr. Consilia’s ‘zest for life, strong desire and determination to live long made her cope with many serious illnesses and multiple surgeries.’ As the end approached, it was a struggle while on the ventilator. But when she breathed her last earlier this month, she was the portrait of peace. The world will certainly be a lesser place without the kind and gentle touch of Sr. Consilia.

A. JOSEPH ANTONY

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