Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba laid down four guiding principles for Healthcare Initiatives.
1) Medical care must be provided free of charge
2) Medical care must be administered with love and care
3) Every patient must be given the best available treatment
4) Finally “treat the patient and not merely the disease”.
“Doctors should win the hearts of the patients by talking to them with compassion and concern. Diseases are half cured when the doctors talk to the patients with love and consideration.” -Sri Sathya Sai Baba, January 21, 1994
“Doctors should serve the poor with spirit of sacrifice. There is no greater service than this. God is the sole refuge of the destitute and the forlorn. As man is the embodiment of God, it is his primary duty to help the destitute and the forlorn” – Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Bhagawan’s principal message to the medical fraternity during His Valedictory discourse at the International Cardiac Conference in 1995 was “Make love the capsule that you offer to your patients… anything you do with love will be rewarding.” This is the Divine direction for Medicare of the 21st century and Bhagawan has amply demonstrated to the world, through practical examples, what should be done and how it can be achieved.
Objectives of Sri Sathya Sai Medical Mission:
Principles followed in Health Care implementation:
Healthcare implemented by Sri Sathya Sai Baba is guided by the following six principles which are assiduously followed in every healthcare institution and every healthcare activity of SSSS Organisations throughout the World:
Medicine is meant to promote heart to heart, love to love relationship between the doctor and patient. Sri Sathya Sai Medical mission exemplifies this aspect by providing comprehensive care and regular follow up of treatment. The humane component is evident in the care in Sri Sathya Sai hospitals
Three- pronged approach of Sri Sathya Sai Health Care:
Sri Sathya Sai Health Care has a Holistic Approach which is executed through the following three- pronged approach:
Importance is given for Health Education at all levels viz Individual level, family level, group level and community level. Screening programmes are conducted at all levels.
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Medical Mission stands out as a beacon of hope and succor to innumerable ailing patients from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. The range of medical services which are offered include:
Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Health Care Services covers the following aspects of personal care also as part of the treatment:
Super Speciality & General Hospital
Bhagawan has set up a chain of super-specialty hospitals (Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Science at Prasanthigram & Whitefield) and General Hospitals ( Sri Sathya Sai General Hospitals at Prasanthi Nilayam and Whitefield) where the poor can walk in and get the best treatment possible without paying a single rupee irrespective of caste, creed, religion, and financial status in an atmosphere of love and care. Sri Sathya Sai hospitals run by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust provide free medical care to the sick and ailing with the dedication, commitment, love and the best of skills, so that they will be cured in body, mind and spirit.
Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospitals
Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital Prasanthi Nilayam is another unique free rural outreach health service which was launched by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on March 3, 2006.
Free Medical Camps
Inspired by Bhagawan’s example of selfless service, many all over the world have been inspired to be of service to their fellow men. Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, India is conducting free medical camps in areas with lack of access to medical care, educating the people about health and hygiene; these messengers of Bhagawan’s Love are creating a silent revolution. Medical camps are conducted to carry out health promotion, education, minor medical or surgical treatments and preventive healthcare services. Medical camps are organised on a regular basis in rural areas where patients are given medicines free of cost. Hundreds of thousands of patients are treated for eye ailments and thousands of cataract operations are performed. Free medical dispensaries are being run at various places by various Samithis of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations.
Medical Camps during Bhagawan’s Birthday Celebrations
Special Medical Camps are conducted every year at Prasanthi Nilayam during the month of November as part of the Birthday Celebrations of our Beloved Bhagawan. On an average, every year about 6000 – 8000 patients are given only primary care – including symptomatic and supportive medications. ECG facility is also available and if any advanced treatment is required, they are referred either to Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital,
Prashanthi Nilayam or to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram . A daily satsang is held in the evenings with everyone in the medical camp to review the day’s progress and recollect the teachings of our beloved Lord.
Mega Medical Camps for the period of 8 to 10 days are conducted in selected villages to extend the medical services to remote villages during Swamis Birthday celebrations in all states. General surgeries and cataract operations are done by bringing the patients to the nearest town, for getting the operations done.
Sri Sathya Sai Free Medical Clinics are being run by many Samithis, normally once in a week.
Eradication of Malnutrition.
Blood Donation Camps (otherwise known as Liquid Love Seva ) and Blood Group testing camps are organised on a regular basis by major Samithis in Cities where Blood Banks are available. Blood donation by members is a regular activity. Blood grouping activity is organized in many places; there is very impressive response from public and sevadal.
Medical Check-up at various Institutions
Medical teams from Sri Sathya Sai Organisations of various states visit orphanages, old age homes, leprosy homes etc. for medical checkups on a continuous basis.
In addition to the general medical camps students of local village schools are given a complete medical examination.
Medical Activities & Sri Sathya Sai Sai Village Intergrated Programme (SSSVIP)
Medi Care (activities) is to be integrated along with the other cares executed in Sri Sathya Sai Sai Village Integrated Programme (SSSVIP) such as:
Sri Sathya Sai Health Care Project (SSSHCP)
Sri Sathya Sai Health Care Project was launched by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 28th January, 2007 at Chennai. Doctors having their own Private Hospitals/Diagnostic Institutions in major cities had come forward to offer, One Bed totally free of cost for the benefit of the poor and the needy.
Telemedicine:
Telemedicine service offers phenomenal opportunities for doctors to meet patients. Treatment would not be rendered at these centers. It is only a data interchange center to refer to the hospitals and to convey their instructions to the patients. Mostly the information to be conveyed will be the date of visit to the hospitals and the proposed course of treatment there.
Disaster Management:
Whenever natural calamities have caused havoc to human life, the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation has been extremely responsive in providing assistance to the affected population.
Sai Rehabilitation Programme (SRP)
Even after treatment, people suffer from the disabling squeal of illnesses that can interfere with daily life. It is during this difficult phase of their life that they require specialised care that addresses their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Rehabilitation programmes instituted by the SSSSO enables patients to function as self-reliant members of their communities. Sai Rehabilitation Programme has been implemented in the States of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka. West Bengal and Orissa would be implementing Sai Rehabilitation Programme in their States shortly. Sri Nimish Pandya, All India president of SSSSO India emphasized the fact that no man can inspire thousands of people to spend their own money to serve the society and that only God can do this. Hence, Bhagawan Baba is verily Divine.
Doctors should recognize the importance of the five human values; Truth, righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence. Love is the basis for all the other values. Doctors can infuse courage in patients by the Love they show towards the patients. If doctors carry out their duties with love they will be crowned with success –Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations platform is open to all members of the Medical Fraternity to render Medical Seva, be it urban or rural , so that more and more members can join this holy work.
Mobile Medical Vans in AP
The impact of the Mobile Hospital services has been tremendous. On the curative front, it has given a sense of great security to people living in villages. It is a boon for patients with chronic ailments who can never dream of buying medicines on a continuous basis. The preventive services have created a huge wave of awareness on major health issues, which is slowly getting translated into changing habits, for the better. The spiritual component of the service has strengthened the community bonds and has reminded people that spirituality is the way of life and practicing human values leads to positive health and happiness. The Mobile Hospital is thus acting as a silent vehicle for providing comprehensive healthcare and is also becoming an instrument for dissemination of the ideals of healthcare which Sri Sathya Sai Baba has set for all. It is not only a state-of-the-art rural outreach service but also a state-of-the-heart caring and loving service.
Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospital Seva has been instituted in Andhra Pradesh.
"Service to Man is Service to God”, is the often repeated quote of Bhagawan and taking inspiration from that, the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Andhra Pradesh initially launched five Mobile Hospitals on 28th Nov 2010 to benefit Villagers who live far away from health care facilities.
As on Nov 2018, Eight miniature mobile hospitals with most modern diagnostic equipment/facility including Ultra Sonogram, X-ray, E.C.G., Semi Auto Analyser, Haemo Meter, Centrifuge, Autoclave, Steam Steriliser, Eye-Refraction Equipment, ENT, Orthopedics, Blood Glucose Monitor, Ophthalmology Scope, Nebuliser, Dental Equipment and Gynaecology Test Kit have been acquired to take health care to the doorsteps of the needy, ill and poor villagers in the districts of Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Kadapa, Chittoor etc.
With these Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospitals, Primary Care will be rendered along with health and hygiene awareness education. With the help of voluntary services rendered by Doctors, Para Medical Staff and Sevadal, the patients who need critical care, secondary and tertiary care will be hospitalised in the affiliated nursing homes to our organisation in towns and cities and they will be provided the essential medical care with love and compassion.
Total cost of the vehicle is Rs.11 lakh and equipments cost around 4 lakh. The monthly expenditure will be around Rs. 40,000. The services of the mobile hospital will be concentrated in tribal villages and slums. A cluster of 10 to 15 villages in tribal area will be selected and door-to-door survey will be conducted to identify those needing treatment and to arrange doctors, technicians and medicines. A centrally located village will be identified as camp point.
Sl. No. |
District |
Sl. No. |
District |
1 |
Visakhapatnam |
5 |
West Godavari |
2 |
Chittoor |
6 |
Krishna |
3 |
Nellore |
7 |
Srikakulam |
4 |
East Godavari |
8 |
Vizianagaram |
Hundreds of follow-up cases come across in the medical camps. Some seem to be serious, and volunteers make note of these them, arrange dates for operation/treatment, bring the patients to Hyderabad City, accommodate them in local Sathya Sai Temples, and provide them with food and other necessities. The next day, the patients are taken to the hospital, where doctors carry out investigations and take up surgeries. In some cases, the patient is asked to come for many sittings/visits; Sathya Sai Volunteers pay for incidentals and arrange the operation dates. A few patients are described below; many such cases have been taken up during the period.
An orphan boy from one of the Sai Centers from Ubalanka, near Ravulapalem, E.G. Dist., suffering from a giant tumor on his right hand, referred to Hyderabad for treatment/surgery. He was taken and shown in Indo American Cancer Institute/Osmania Hospitals. After conducting various investigations like blood tests, X-Ray, MRI, bone scanning, and bone angiogram, Dr. Kodandapani, MS, Ortho Surgeon, performed surgery on 21.6.2012, and the patient was discharged on 4.7.2012 after recovery. The State President, SSSSO, AP visited Osmania Hospital on 23.7.2012 and saw the patient.
During one of the regular Mobile Medical Services at Krishna District, one Sri Moka Srinivasa Rao,(M/49) was suffering from infected big sebaceous cyst, which was affecting his daily activities. The patient was admitted to the Swamy Devotee hospital; surgery was conducted on 15.8.2012 by a devotee general surgeon. The surgery was successful, and the patient became comfortable and is attending to his normal duties.
A 4 year old boy, Chi. Rohit, was diagnosed during a routine medical checkup at Poleti Tippa village near Machilipatnam with a congenital anomaly: MENINGOCELE OF SPINAL CORD. If this was not corrected, the boy would suffer paralysis of both legs and would lose control in passing motion and urine in few months’ time. The boy was taken to a neuro surgeon at NRI Hospital and the defect was corrected in January 2013. The boy is doing well after the operation.
Sri Lakshmana Rao met with a fire accident five years back, and his right leg was burnt and twisted. The doctors in the Mobile Health Services camp suggested him for follow up treatment. The patient was brought to Rajahmundry and admitted to the Sai Orthopedic Hospital Rajahmundry for further treatment. Doctors did the treatment free of cost until the patient was totally recovered and discharged. The local Samithi (Sai Center) provided medicines and food to the patient.
Smt. Saramma, a Tribal woman residing at Busigudem became mentally retarded due to her husband’s misbehavior. She spent sleepless nights without food for her husband and became mad. The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, East Godavari District, while doing Mobile Health Services at Rampachodavaram, Agency area, East Godavari District, identified this patient, and she was brought to Rajahmundry and was admitted to the mental hospital. After 21 days of treatment, she recovered 75%. She was given further treatment, recovered totally, and was sent back home. Medicines and food were provided by the local Sai Center (Samithi).
ENT and eye surgeries are regularly taken up to benefit the villagers.
Kadapa_Mobile_Hospital_Services ->
Medical Van Report-11.Krishna ->
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***** Jai Sairam
Sai Rehabilitation Program is Healing the Body, Mind and Spirit for post discharge cardiac patients from SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram and Whitefield. The vision is that patients must reap the benefits of Sai free tertiary medical care by not only regaining their health, but also be able to resume their roles and responsibilities to their families. Program Mission is to realize the tertiary medical care, through a seamless integration of free tertiary care at the Hospital and local post discharge Sai Rehabilitation through Sri Sathya Sai Seva organizations.
It is a unique initiative of Baba's Super Specialty Hospitals in Puttaparthi and Bangalore, seeks to continue, sustain and boost the hospital-patient relationship. Elsewhere, once the bills are paid and the patient is discharged, the hospital has hardly any connection with the patient. But those operated in Swamy's hospitals are handed over to a local doctor for follow up and to take care of their health which is vital for cardiac patients. Post Surgery recuperative care and continuing doctor's consultation for a period of six months and regular medication and diagnostic tests and lifestyle changes are vital for cardiac patients as most patients are poor and illiterates.
Sai Rehabilitation Program was launched ten years back in Andhra Pradesh in January, 2008. The feed back forms of the patients are sent directly by SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram to the District SRP Coordinator, after discharge of the patient from the hospital. The District Coordinator contacts the patient directly/through respective Samithi Convenor and takes him to the District designated doctor for first, second and third check ups in a period of six months. Patients undergone Valve replacement surgeries are followed life long basis. About 100 qualified Doctors from all the 14 Districts are actively participating in the Divine activity voluntarily. All Samithis of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh are partners of this Divine project.
Patients are showing interest and approaching the SRP Coordinators to take them to the local Doctors, for their check ups on due dates. Patients are very happy with the services rendered by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, AP in regularly contacting them and enquiring about their health conditions and taking them to local Doctors on the allotted dates. Further many Samithis in majority of the Districts are inviting the SRP patients to their regular Bhajans, special programmes and introducing them to the gathering. Some of the District Organisations are extending their services to the SRP patients also like distribution of Amrutha Kalasams etc. A constant rapport has to be maintained with the patients even after completion of curative period of six months and invite their families to the organizational activities regularly.
It is proposed to strengthen further this Divine Task by more dedication and devotion by contacting the discharged patients personally and sharing our love and affection for their social rehabilitation and spiritual orientation.
No. of cases received from Super Specialty Hospital, Prasanthi Gram - 1484
No. of cases received from Super Specialty Hospital, Whitefield - 413 (from March,2009)
Total No. of cases - 1897"
***** Jai Sairam
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