Dreaded disease claims second Catholic missionary in GH
Tura: A Catholic missionary nun who came from distant Kerala to serve the people of remote Rabhagre village in Tikrikilla, West Garo Hills passed away on Tuesday after battling malaria. She was 47.
She is the second missionary to succumb to the dreaded disease while working at Rabhagre revealing the poor health scenario plaguing the Garo Hills where people lose their lives to common diseases that otherwise could have been prevented.
Sister Anns Augustine of the Sacred Heart congregation (S.H.) had been serving the people of Rabhagre as headmistress of St. Michael’s school for the last five years.
The only daughter in her family she had immense urge to work as a missionary and joined the Thalassery Province of Sacred Heart congregation in Kerela.
She came to Garo Hills in 2009 and began her missionary work imparting education for poor children in Rabhagre, a remote area of Tikrikilla where education and basic health care is a luxury for many.
Following complications from malaria and a secondary infection from hepatitis she was admitted to Solace hospital in Goalpara where her condition deteriorated.
On Monday morning she was shifted to Down Town hospital in Guwahati where she lost the battle against malaria and breathed her last at 3:30 in the afternoon.
A Requim service in honour of Sr. Anns is due to take place at Rabhagre on Wednesday morning before her remains are flown down to Kerala for the last rites.
In 2001 another missionary nun, Sister Joselyn (S.H.) passed away fighting malaria in that village.
The Diocese of Tura has joined the faithful of Rabhagre along with the students and staff of St. Michael’s school in paying their respects and condolence to the family and congregation of Late Sr. Anns.