The Kasturba Health Society paid tribute to the late Shri Dhirubhai Mehta, President of the society, during the Shradhanjali prayer held on April 23, 2024, in the new auditorium. Among the dignitaries present on the dais were Shri PL Tapadia (Vice-President, Kasturba Health Society), Mrs. Vibha Gupta (Chairperson of Magan Sangrahalaya Samiti and Founder-Director of the Center of Science for Villages, Wardha), Shri Gautam Bajaj (from Pawnar Ashram), Dr. BS Garg (Secretary, Kasturba Health Society), Dr. AK Shukla (Dean, MGIMS), and Dr. Poonam Shivkumar Varma (Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital).

A significant number of faculty, students, staff, and well-wishers gathered to offer their respects to Shri Dhirubhai. Mrs. Vibha shared fond memories of her association with him, describing him as one of the sharpest minds who eschewed the temptation of corporate world in favor of serving the community. Shri Gautam Bajaj spoke about Shri Dhirubhai's passion for literature and spirituality. Reflecting on his close bond with Shri Dhirubhai, Shri Bajaj remarked, “Shri Dhirubhai lives within each one of us through the profound impact that he has created in our lives.” Dr Garg expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the institution.

Adding to the tribute, Shri Tapadia provided insights into Shri Dhirubhai's life, offering a vivid picture of his legacy and contributions. He spoke about Shri Dhirubhai's remarkable character, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his immense contributions to the organizations that he was a part of. Shri Tapadia eloquently described how Shri Dhirubhai's vision and leadership transformed the landscape of healthcare services and medical education, leaving an indelible mark on the society he served. “It is a great loss for the institute and each one of us. Shri Dhirubhai's vision and dedication have been invaluable pillars of our community, and his absence will be deeply felt in every aspect of our endeavors”, said Shri PL Tapadia.

The assembled gathering held 2 minutes of silence and paid shradhanjali as a mark of respect and love for the great leader. They also offered prayers and marigold petals to the portrait of Shri Dhirubhai.

With heavy hearts, the Kasturba Health Society announces the passing of Shri Dhirubhai Mehta, President of the Kasturba Health Society, Sevagram. Born in 1936, he rose from humble beginnings, excelling in academia and finance before dedicating his life to philanthropy and healthcare. A staunch follower of Gandhi's principles, he transitioned from a successful corporate career to leading the not-for-profit sector.

In 1982, Mrs Sarla Parekh introduced Shri Dhirubhai to Dr. Nayar, recommending his financial acumen for the medical school. Dhirubhai eagerly joined the Kasturba Health Society and later became its president. "When I came to Sevagram in 1982, I couldn't even spell or pronounce names of half the departments of the hospital," Dhirubhai would often jokingly say. Under his guidance, the medical college flourished, embodying integrity and excellence. The budget grew substantially from a meager 80 lakhs to 240 crores per annum, with a focus on ethical practices and excellence in healthcare.

Neither the commercialization of medical education, nor the proliferation of medical schools in the country, nor the expansion of private for-profit hospitals in the vicinity of Sevagram could deter him or lead him astray from his principles. Dhirubhai adhered to organizational ethics to the hilt—ensuring fairness, honesty, transparency, efficiency, and displaying zero tolerance for corruption. “All I want is for MGIMS to provide top-notch education and healthcare that's accessible to all," he would summarize his philosophy in a straightforward statement.

Under his leadership, MGIMS completely unlinked itself from the sponsorship of the drug industry, successfully ran a low-cost drug initiative in the hospital, and introduced various essential initiatives. These included a hospital information system, a unit for adopting newborns of unwed mothers, trauma centers, medicine department buildings, ICUs, a Cath Lab, dialysis units, alcohol and drug de-addiction centers, a mother and child center, and a palliative care center. He also oversaw the construction of numerous hostels for medical students and residents. He also supported the  Melghat hospital, encouraging staff dedication through personal visits and support. Dhirubhai's passion for public health was evident in his nurturing of the community medicine department, where he encouraged innovation and supported the implementation of new ideas and concepts. He fearlessly championed social causes, opposiing injustice and advocating for ethical governance.

“I love to take risks in life. And my intuitions and risk-taking ability have paid off, most of the time," he would say. Dhirubhai Mehta's willingness to embrace risks reflected his confidence and adventurous spirit, leading to many successful endeavors throughout his life. He was an avid reader, immersing himself in literature in both English and Gujarati. He eagerly devoured whatever material he could get his hands on. In February 2016, he authored a 551-page book “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel- A Man of Few Words and Many Triumphs”. He also wrote hundreds of articles expressing his views on different matters of national and social importance. His articles always carried his frank viewpoint on many political decisions and developments of many successive governments.

Sevagram held a special place in Dhirubhai’s heart and soul. Just a fortnight before, he had visited Sevagram and actively participated in the inaugration of several new facilities across the hospital. His wife Nanda often remarked that he lived and breathed Sevagram every day of his life. In the final stage of his life, nothing mattered to him more than Sevagram. He dedicated his thoughts and efforts to preserving the tradition and culture of the institute he had been associated with for four decades. “In our quest for greatness, Sevagram must not stop working hard. Let's come together to embrace new ideas, use technology, and build more facilities to make sure everyone in our community can access healthcare," he would passionately advocate, repeating his vision, year after year.

On Saturday, Dhirubhai was admitted to Bombay Hospital for what was presumed to be viral pneumonia. Forty-eight hours later, today, on April 22, he passed away peacefully, with his son Nirad and daughter Maitry by his bedside. Dhirubhai dedicated four decades of his life to Sevagram, tirelessly striving to ensure that the institute maintained its position at the forefront of healthcare in the country. Despite personal challenges, his unwavering commitment to Sevagram never faltered. He remained steadfast in his principles, refusing to compromise despite the temptations of privatization and profit-driven medical practices. His commitment and integrity set a standard that will be challenging to match.

As we bid farewell to a remarkable person, we are reminded of the immense impact he had on Sevagram and the countless lives he touched through his selfless service and unwavering dedication. His departure marks the end of an era for Sevagram, yet his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in the years to come. Dhirubhai leaves behind a legacy of selflessness and integrity, inspiring generations to come.

“Shri Dhirubhai's legacy will forever remain ingrained in the fabric of our institute, guiding us with his principles of integrity, dedication, and compassion. His absence leaves a void that can never be filled, but his spirit will continue to inspire us as we carry forward his noble vision for the betterment of our community and beyond," said Shri PL Tapadia (Vice-President, Kasturba Health Society)."

World Health Day was celebrated at Kasturba Hospital, Sewagram, on April 7th, 2024, under the theme "My Health My Right" for the 76th World Health Day. The theme is chosen to champion the right as well as the responsibility of everyone, everywhere to enhance access to quality health services, health education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination. The hospital organized a series of activities:

WHO Program at Kasturba Hospital premises

In the hospital premises, the nursing staff, nursing students, and attendants organized a WHO Day program across various departments, including Medicine, Surgery, MCH Wing, Casualty, Radiotherapy, and Palliative Ward, actively participating in disseminating patient rights and responsibilities concerning their health needs. Mrs. Mangala Thakare, Assistant Matron, delivered an introduction and elaborated on the theme "My Health My Right." Posters displaying health-related messages adorned the premises, and slogans advocating for health, cleanliness, healthy diets, physical activity, and good health habits were prominently displayed. Health education sessions were conducted for patients and their relatives, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

A skit performed by the staff nurses in the Mother and Child Health Wing addressed the cessation of unhealthy habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and tobacco chewing, underscoring their adverse effects on health. The program successfully disseminated awareness and knowledge about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing illnesses. "It made me reflect on our own habits and the importance of making healthier choices for ourselves and our loved ones. This event has sparked a newfound commitment to prioritize health and well-being in our family," said a relative of the patient who attended the program.

Cyclothon to promote awareness against NCDs

Kasturba Hospital and Sanjeevani (a student-led organization at MGIMS) organized the “Pedal Away NCDs: Ride for Health” cyclothon to raise awareness about the role of exercise and a healthy lifestyle in curbing the menace of Non-communicable diseases in India. A total of 56 faculty, staff members, nurses, residents and undergraduate students participated in this awareness campaign. The participants paddled for 25 km covering nearby villages, displaying their banners and posters. The slogan for the event was “साइक्लिंग चा प्रवास -आरोग्यचा संघर्ष - बी.ई.एस.पी. शुग् र  चा नाश”. Dr O P Gupta (Former Director Professor of Medicine, MGIMS) flagged off the event from the hospital entrance at 5.30 AM. Dr Anupama Gupta (faculty coordinator), Mrs Shaily Jain-Kalantri (facilitator), Dr Atul Tayade, Dr Pramod Jain, Dr Ashwini Kalantri, Dr Hindol and Sanjeevani organizers: Ms Akshaya Mehta, Mr Nikish Kumar, Ms Sanchita Singh, Mr Abhijeet, Ms Tina Kolhe amongst several others were in prominent representatives of MGIMS, Sevagram.

“Even simple daily physical activities like running, walking, cycling or even playing outdoor games can have a great impact on decreasing the risks of Non-communicable diseases”, said Dr Anupama Gupta, an avid cyclist and Head of Pathology, MGIMS.

Shri Dhirubhai Mehta (President, Kasturba Health Society) and Shri PL Tapadia (Vice-President, Kasturba Health Society) expressed their commitment to providing health equity and accessibility for all. "Through such initiatives, Kasturba Hospital and MGIMS continue to demonstrate their dedication to advancing healthcare and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their well-being”, shared Dr Poonam Shivkumar Verma (Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital) and Dr AK Shukla (Dean, MGIMS).

“In recognition of our institute’s contribution to improving maternal, and child health, WHO has recognized us as a WHO Collaborative Centre for research and training in community-based Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health”, said Dr BS Garg (Director, Dr Sushila Nayar School of Public Health and Secretary, Kasturba Health Society).

Please find the photographs of the events attached.