JAICARE is an acronym for Jesuit Antonyraj memorial Inter-disciplinary Centre for Advanced Rehabilitation and Education. It is the only hospital run by Madurai Jesuits. The hospital has not only a long acronym but also a long history. Fr. P. Antonyraj, SJ who shared the misery of marginalized people in his young age, resolved to ensure quality education and health care to the downtrodden people. Thus in 1994, he founded a trust called Madurai Jesuit Downtrodden People Welfare Trust. Today this trust runs two different institutions.
The first one is Dr. Ambedkar Cultural Academy which is commonly known as DACA. Today DACA in its premises, provides hostel facilities for 200 Dalit girls, and conducts 100 Evening Study Centers and 150 Self-Help Groups in the remote villages of South Tamil Nadu. The second one is JAICARE, which is named in memory of late Fr. P. Antonyraj, SJ. Today JAICARE focuses on clinical research and treatment for Autism. Its latest study by Dr. Raghavan on ‘the improvement of behavioral pattern and alpha-syncline levels in autism spectrum disorder’ was published in the British Medical Journal.
On 13th February 2022, ‘Autism Sunday’ was commemorated at JAICARE. Nearly 10 children with Autism participated in the event. Fr. Danis Ponniah SJ our Provincial, in his message, appreciated JAICARE’s collaboration with international medical experts, to serve the children with genetic disorders. Hon’ble Justice G.R. Swaminathan, Madurai High Court and Fr. S. Marianathan SJ, jointly distributed gifts to the children.
As part of the celebration, a virtual panel discussion involving Scientists, Clinicians and Social workers from UK, USA, Mauritius, Japan, Sri Lanka and India was effectively conducted by Dr. Samuel JK Abraham. We strongly believe that one day JAICARE will be known for its unique clinical research and services in the field of Autism.
