Moolai Hospital Jaffna – Reaching For New Vistas
By S. Sivathasan –June 26, 2016
S. Sivathasan
Plumbing new ground, embracing bold initiatives, sustaining effort amidst adversities and bouncing back even after grave situations, have remained a hallmark of the Jaffna man’s attributes. The vicissitudes of Moolai Hospital epitomize these characteristics. Commenced in 1935 as the first Cooperative Hospital in the country, it developed at high speed attracting attention of medical professionals, drawing a multitude of patients from the North and prospering as well.
Fulsome Praise
In the early fifties, there was a news item quoting V. V. Giri from a speech he made in India. Therein he said that the co-operative movement was highly developed in Ceylon and particularly in Jaffna. He stated pointedly that there was even a well-run cooperative hospital in Jaffna. It was a reference to Moolai Hospital. Giri served as the first Indian High Commissioner in Ceylon during 1948 to 1951. He was President of India 1969 to 1974. He had observed the growth of the cooperative movement in Ceylon. His insight on Jaffna was sharp. Moolai Hospital had caught his attention and prompted a keen remark. The accolade was well merited.
Dr. N. T. Sampanthan and Moolai Hospital were one
Origins
The institution built with motives that were altruistic, was envisaged as a non-profit taking venture with benefits accruing to society. It is this hospital which is now on the threshold of setting its sights high. What were its origins? In 1934 a group of socially minded individuals in Jaffna outlined a project for a hospital to be established along cooperative lines. Well known among them was a great cooperator V. Veerasingham, who was Principal of Manipay Hindu College and later the MP for Vaddukkoddai 1952 -1956. Veerasingham Hall a part of the Cooperative Federation complex and a landmark in Jaffna is named after him. Last month the Postal Department issued a stamp honouring his services to the cooperative movement and siting his contribution to establishing the Moolai Hospital.
Moolai Hospital, Jaffna District
American Missionaries
Moolai was aptly chosen to site the hospital. It is located a mile away from Jaffna College, Vaddukkoddai founded by American Missionaries in 1823. Manipay 5 miles away from Moolai was another great centre of health care. Dr. Green a great American Missionary founded this hospital in 1848 and also established the first Medical School in Ceylon. A School of Nursing too developed alongside at Manipay Hospital. Under the benign patronage of American Missionaries, education and health care developed apace. In the same cradle, Moolai too grew reaching the status for a private Medical College to be recognized in the eighties.
