SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL, PUTTAPARTHI (PRASANTHIGRAM)
(Inaugurated On 22/11/1991 By Prime Minister Shri P V Narasimha Rao)
‘We have here today the President of India, the Chief Minister, the Governor of the State and other eminent persons. In the sphere of education, if we establish a system of free education for all without distinctions of rich or poor, or classifications like ‘backward’ and ‘forward,’ the nation will take a great leap forward on the path of progress. We are wasting crores of rupees on many unrewarding ventures. If we ensure the right kind of future for our children, the nation will benefit immensely. Free education and medical relief should be provided to one and all.
With this object in view, we decided yesterday to establish a big hospital here. Many people appealed to Me to set up the hospital here in our urban centre. There are many medical institutions run purely on business lines in several cities. There are few facilities for the poor. Therefore, we have decided to establish a hundred-crore hospital near Prasanthi Nilayam itself. Just as higher education is free here, ‘higher medicine’ also will be free. People spend lakhs of rupees to get a heart surgery done in U.S.A.. But what is the plight of the poor? Who looks after them? If they go to cities, they will not even get ‘coloured water’ (medicinal mixtures)!. Recognising this fact, we have launched this, hospital project. Whether it is heart surgery or kidney transplant or brain surgery, everything will be done free. The hospital will be opened on November 22,1991. This is ‘Sai Sankalpa’; no one can fathom it. In the case of Sai, thought and action are simultaneous like the light and sound that emanate when a gun is fired. Hence it is not easy for everyone to understand Sai’s resolve.
Embodiments of divine love, there is not a trace of self-interest in Me. Whatever I do is only for the sake of others. In fact, I do not consider you as ‘others’. All of you are My own people, Such an all-encompassing feeling cannot be found anywhere in the world. Have you seen anywhere else an organization, which has grown so stupendously in fifty years? In the case of the earlier Avatars, their fame spread only long after their passing. In this case of the present Avatar, in His own lifetime, a university, a big hospital, an aerodrome and many other institutions are being established for the benefit of one and all, especially the villagers. Many more will follow in the years to come. Many people wonder as to how all these are being accomplished. The advent of this Avatar took place sixty-four years ago. All these years, I have never stretched My hand at any time to seek anything from anyone. I have not asked anyone, I will never ask anyone, and there will never be an occasion for it. How are then these things happening? For any good and self less work, there is no impediment in this country of Bharat. When you want to do any good work, money will flow in torrents. The narrow-minded who undertake any work will never be free from want. Such people cannot understand the actions of those who are large-hearted and broad-minded.
I do not expect anything from you. Only, I want you to develop love in your hearts. Treat all mankind as your brothers and sisters. Recognise that all are children of God. Bear no ill will or hatred towards anyone. Only such a large- hearted attitude will confer on you limitless bliss. This is the birth-day gift that I desire from you. Have unity among yourselves. Strive to revive and promote the glory of Bharat.
As I was coming here, some people greeted Me with the words, ‘Happy birthday! Happy birthday to You’ I am always happy. I do not need such greetings! Only those who are not happy need them. I am filled with infinite joy at all times. I have never had any worry at any time. What is the reason? I am aware that all things are transient like passing clouds. Then, why worry about them? We should not be elated or depressed by births or deaths. We came naked into the world. When we leave, we cannot leave our address with our kith and kin. How can they be our kinfolk, all these are worldly phenomena. As long as we live we should spend our lives in harmony and love. All our difficulties can be overcome by contemplation on God. What do you achieve forgetting God and immersing yourselves in worldly concerns? Have firm faith in God. Don’t give any scope for differences on the basis of caste, creed or nationality. All names and forms belong to the Divine. All that you see is the Cosmic Form of the Lord. With firm faith in the Divine, chanting the Lord’s name, redeem your lives’
(SSSm Vol.6 pp.346-349)
(Col Joga Rao was worried about the super specialty hospital, as there was not much time left and there were no sufficient funds also to complete the project. Even after completion, where do funds come to run a free hospital of such magnitude on a sustained basis? That was the worry and he had no sleep that night and the next morning Swami asked the reason for his sleeplessness and when he said Bhagavan knew the reason, Bhagavan declared)
‘It was I who promised that super specialty hospital will be opened in November. Why do you worry about it? Our country Bharat is a Punya Bhumi, Yoga Bhumi and Tyaga Bhumi. In this sacred land, if anyone takes up any activity with a pure and selfless motive, all that is required for the fruition of that activity will come spontaneously. There will not be any dearth of funds for our super specialty hospital. Rest assured! (SSSm Vol.6, p.359)
‘The government is seeking to provide various amenities in the villages. But it is one thing to proclaim one’s intentions and quite another to fulfil them. Speaking is easy; acting is difficult. Neither the authorities nor the leaders appear to be concerned about the plight of the villagers. The villagers are also apathetic. Bharat is not lacking in resources. It is well endowed in every respect. Had it been so, it would not have attracted to many invaders from outside. Today, Bharatiyas themselves are considering their country as poor and belittling its status. This by itself is not a great danger. The greater danger is the development of a mood of cynicism – ‘Avishasam’. It is only when the pessimism among the people is transformed to robust optimism, will the country march forward. The retrograde movement has reversed. Material prosperity, which is transient, is not important. Real and lasting wealth lies in good qualities and morality. It is this form of wealth that should be acquired.
With a view to setting an example to the authorities, to the community and to every individual, Swami is undertaking activities, small and big, in various spheres. This hamlet of Puttaparthi had a population of barely eight hundred. To conceive of a University for such a village was a fantastic dream. Another amazing phenomenon is the construction of an aerodrome near such village, when there are no aerodromes even at the district headquarters. Puttaparthi has become the cynosure of all highly sophisticated and most modern hospital, which should be located in a well-developed metropolis, has been set up in this rural area. The wealthy can anywhere and get medical relief with their abundant resources. But the rural poor cannot go far from their villages for medical treatment. It is for the sake of such poor folk this hospital has been established. I have told our doctors to examine the heart ailments of the villagers around here. Today, an auspicious announcement has to be made. Within fifteen minutes of the inauguration of the hospital by our Prime Minister, (22/11/1992) the first surgery was begun in the hospital. Within three hours four operations were performed. One was a very complicated case. All surgeries were carried out successfully and all the patients are doing well.
You should know how the hospital came up. The Larsen and Toubro Company is known for its massive constructions in India and abroad. But nowhere else was such enthusiasm and zeal displayed by the workers in the construction on this hospital. Even the smallest worker did the work of ten persons with cheer and joy; they did it with great devotion. Work on the hospital began in the month of May after My return from Kodaikanal. Within six months from May to November, a work, which would have normally taken five years, has been completed. This is a gigantic project. It is intended to benefit people for a thousand years.
This hospital has been set up to provide relief to villagers suffering from various diseases. No distinction will be made, however, between villages and cities. Diseases do not afflict only villagers; they make no territorial distinctions. Likewise, there will be differentiation in providing relief.
For achieving anything in the world, a sound body is essential. The body is the primary requisite for the pursuit of Dharma and it has to be in good health. Even for this realisation of the four goals of life- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha – sound health is essential. Having regard to this importance of health for all purposes, Swami has launched such medical institutions.’
(SSSm Vol.6, p.372-374)
SUPER SPECIALITY HOSPITAL, WHITEFIELD
- (Inaugarated by Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajapayee on19th January 2001)
Last month when I was in Bangalore, one day, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Patel came to Me and said, ‘Swami, You have constructed a Super Speciality Hospital in Prasanthi Nilayam, which is of immense benefit to the poor. But diseases are common for both the rich and the poor urban or rural. It will be of great help to the people of Bangalore city, if You would be kind enough to establish another Super Speciality Hospital here.’ I just smiled and did not say anything. The very next week, the Chief Minister, the Finance Minister, the Revenue Minister and many other dignitaries came here with the documents concerning the registration of 70 acres of land. This plot is situated adjacent to the Information and Technology Park. They are supplying water and electricity. If you are prepared to undertake noble tasks, the whole world will support you. An American devotee by name Sinclair has come forward to donate a few crores of rupees for this hospital. Previously he had given a few crores of rupees for the Super Speciality Hospital in Prasanthi Nilayam also. I have not told about this project to anyone else, otherwise there would have been a shower of gold. (DD on 28.7.99, p.8)
This hospital will surely attain an exalted position. You may not understand now, but you will surely realise it in future. People belonging to different parts of the world will come here for treatment. This hospital has such a divine potential in it. Do not entertain any wrong notions about the hospital. Earlier when the Super Speciality Hospital was established at Puttaparthi, people had their misgivings about the functioning. Now, in the surrounding villages, you don’t find anybody suffering from heart diseases.
Here the treatment will be rendered free of cost to the rich and poor alike. Even the food will be provided free. Our objective is to cure the patients of their ailments and send them home happy and healthy. This hospital will serve the poor for ever/. Some may have a mistaken notion that it will be a temporary one. All the institutions established by Sai are eternal! (SSSm Vol.7, p.305-306)
STI SATHYA SAI MOBILE HOSPITAL, PRASNATHI NILAYAM
Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital is a novel outreach programme that was started in April 2006. The hospital has the noble mission of taking healthcare to the rural doorstep. Every month, for twelve days, the mobile clinic with its team of doctors visits a village every day, offering diagnostic services and even performing minor surgeries and dental procedures. Where, urgent medical attention is necessary, the patients are referred to local Sri Sathya Sai hospitals for further treatment.
In many parts of rural India, healthcare is still woefully inadequate as is awareness of the basic principles of health and hygiene. Village folk fall prey to many diseases as a result. Many neglect their health problems since they subsist on daily wages and a day’s earnings would have to be foregone in trekking to and from a far off hospital. Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital is thus a blessing on wheels for those in the villages around Prasanthi Nilayam.
The hospital, a Siemens Sanjeevani, is equipped with diagnostic services including, X-ray, ECG, Ultrasound and Pathology. Offering their services free and in a humanitarian spirit each month is a team of 30 doctors, taken from a panel of 600 doctors ranging from professors to junior physicians and including private practitioners. The emphasis is on holistic healing over and above therapeutics.
The hospital offers medical services in the following departments:
|
· General Medicine · ENT · Ophthalmology · Dental medicine · Obstetrics and Gynaecology · Orthopaedics · Paediatrics · Geriatrics · Dermatology |
In addition to the general medical camps students of local village schools are given a complete medical examination.
The Mobile Hospital camps have two other aspects that embody Bhagawan’s philosophy of healthcare:
Creating basic awareness on Preventive medicine
Villagers recieve talks, demonstrations and video shows on basic health and hygiene covering food habits, personal hygiene and cleanliness of surroundings. They are also educated on the ill effects of vices such as drinking, smoking and chewing tobacco .
Water in rural Andhra Pradesh is very high in fluorides (2 to 4 ppm against the permissible level of 1.5 ppm) which causes Fluorosis, a crippling and painful disease affecting teeth and bones. Villagers are taught a simple method of reducing fluoride content using Alum to make their drinking water safe.
Emphasizing the importance of Spirituality in holistic health
The medical community is increasingly becoming aware of the link between spirituality and healing. Villagers are taught to spiritualize their lives since this will not only keep them away from vices but will also bring harmony to their homes and community.
Number of Villages Served: About 600 each month
Population Covered by the service: About 5,00,000
(Taken from Website of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust)
SRI SATHYA SAI GENERAL HOSPITALS
|
Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam |
This hospital was Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s first initiative in healthcare. Inaugurated on October 4th 1956, it was then, the only hospital in a 30 kilometre radius. Initially a primary care institution, it now offers both primary and secondary care.
The philosophy of this hospital in the words of Bhagawan Baba, the Founder, is as follows:
“People of this village and villages that are in the surrounding area, will resort to this hospital for medical relief and advice. Unfortunately hospitals that treat patients with love and care, with dedication and devotion, are a rarity. There are hospitals with costly equipment and expert doctors, huge buildings and spick-and-span interiors, but they indulge more in profiteering than affording relief. Their services are for those who can pay large sums of money. Villagers are not welcome there, who in turn do not feel at ease to approach them. Therefore this hospital is being started amidst the villages so that expert advice and treatment can be rendered, to them in a loving atmosphere of love and devotion.”
|
Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Whitefield |
Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Whitefield started as a hospital for women and children. It was inaugurated by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 28th August 1976. The hospital now has grown into a general hospital treating 300-400 patients a day