Kannur mourns loss of Dr Mercy Oommen, leading physician and social activist

Kannur: Dr. Mercy Oommen (94), a renowned pathologist, partner at Oommen's Eye Hospital, and founder of Sara Memorial Blood Bank, the first private blood bank in North Malabar, has passed away. She was a native of Thiruvalla.

She received her medical degree from Vellore Christian Medical College in 1955. In 1956, she joined the Health Department. After resigning from government service in 1970, she started Oommen's Eye Hospital and Sarah Memorial Medical Lab in Kannur.

She was married to late Dr CE Oommen (Ophthalmologist). She is survived be her children Dr. Raj Isaac Oommen (Ophthalmic Surgeon, Oommen's Eye Hospital), Motty Oommen (Cannanore Drug House), daughters-in-law Dr Mary Oommen (Oommen's Eye Hospital), and Asha Oommen. The funeral will be held at 4 pm on Friday at the Cantonment CSI Church Cemetery, following a prayer service at her Payyambalam residence at 2 pm and a service at the Thekki Bazar Mar Thoma Church.

Loss of a vibrant presence in the social and service sector

With the passing of Dr Mercy Oommen, Kannur has lost a vibrant presence in its social and service sectors. Dr. Mercy was a person who constantly worked to bring women to the forefront of society. A native of Thiruvalla, Mercy resigned from her job in the Health Department to start Oommen's Eye Hospital and Sarah Memorial Medical Lab in Kannur with her husband Dr. C.E. Oommen. In 1987, the medical lab was converted into Sarah Memorial Blood Bank. It was the first private blood bank in North Malabar. At that time, even government hospitals did not have active blood banks. In 2002, a unit for separating blood components was also started here, which led to significant achievements in the medical field.

A former state president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), she was always ready to serve outside the medical field as well. Serving as the president of the State Women's Football Association from 1977 to 1985, Mercy Oommen dedicated time to nurturing female football players and providing them with training.

She served as the state president of the IMA from 1982 to 1983. She was the founder of the Rotary Inner Wheel School for mentally challenged children in 1987 and the YWCA hostel for women in 2002. From 2008 to 2013, she was a member of the Cantonment Board. She held various positions, including State President of the Indian Medical Association, Cantonment Board Member, and State President of the Women's Football Association. She was a founder member of the Rotary Inner Wheel School for mentally challenged children. She also played a role in establishing the YWCA hostel for women.