THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Joykutty, a senior office assistant at Mar Baselious College here, providing succour to the poor patients is the biggest duty and a satisfying one at that.
It’s been more than 12 years since he began to serve free food to the patients of the Regional Cancer Centre. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, a car comes to the Medical College Hospital premises with food. At 5 p.m., there is a long queue of patients and their attendants to collect food.
“I provide fresh homely food since it is consumed by patients in the cancer ward and children in the paediatric surgical ward. I have secured a licence from the officials of food safety and Medical College Hospital for preparation and distribution of food,” he said.
Joykutty was inspired by his friend Sabu Jose and his wife Elsy from Ernakulam who used to feed the destitute and inmates of orphanages. “The problems of the poor patients in the medical college also moved me,” he said.
Joykutty, who hails from Vallikunnam, Alappuzha, lives in a rented house at Nalanchira with his wife and two children. His family and friends have also helped him carry on with the service all these years.
“Many people on their anniversaries and birthdays also help us feed the patients,” he said.
“It is a big relief for people like us. Hotel food is unhygienic and beyond our means,” said Padmavathi Amma of Kataikonam whose grandson is under treatment. Despite offering such selfless service, he had to face several problems.
“Anti-social elements often issue threats as I refused to provide them the food meant for patients. The indifference of the authorities strengthens such elements,” he said.
While he wishes to continue the free food programme, his ultimate dream is to open a shelter home for helpless mothers abandoned in the streets of cities.
