On 14th March 2020, Bhagawan departed from Muddenahalli for a two-day visit to the first of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Paediatric Cardiac hospitals, in Chhattisgarh. Bhagawan reached the hospital 3:05PM in the afternoon and after a break, He was accompanied on a tour of the hospital by Sri B N Narasimha Murthy, Sri C Sreenivas, doctors, guests and Pre-University students from the Muddenahalli campus. Bhagawan spent more than two hours visiting every department of the hospital including the non-medical departments, interacting with doctors, nurses, staff, patients and families, showering them with much love and compassion. Bhagawan also unveiled the model of a 500KW Solar Plant proposed to be installed in the hospital, which will offset 40-50% of the hospital’s electricity charges.
As the heads of each department offered updates about the activities of their respective departments, Bhagawan emphasised that the sole motto of the hospital is to ensure the maximum welfare of all the patients, in all possible ways and means. He lovingly explained that the hospital should endeavour to prevent patients from having to spend large amounts in travelling to other hospitals, before coming to one of the Sanjeevani Centres. Therefore, in aid of this and to reach out to the neediest of patients, Bhagawan spoke about the District-level Tertiary Centres to be set up by Sanjeevani in collaboration with the Chhattisgarh State Government. With the establishment of such centres, it would be ensured that no patient would have to travel more than six hours for early detection of heart ailments. Bhagawan then spoke about the need to intensify the campaign against malnutrition among pregnant women and children, through the expansion of programmes like the Divine Mother and Child Programme.
Thereafter, Bhagawan proceeded to Sri Sathya Sai Sowbhagyam, where He blessed everyone with a group photo in front of the majestic statue of Lord Vishnu.
Bhagawan then made His way to the Dr C Rajeswari Auditorium, for a meeting with hospital staff. The session began with an invocatory recitation of the Ganapati Shloka by Sister Farzana. Thereafter, Dr Nikhil Shukla spoke about the significance of Sanjeevani and outlined the parallels between the Sanjeevani plant that had saved the life of Lakshmana in the Treta Yuga and the life-saving temples of healing established by Bhagawan today.
Dr Ashish Katewa, Director and Chief Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, then made a presentation titled, “The Journey So Far”. He narrated the journey of more than seven years of Sanjeevani and reflected on the magical figures, soul and spirit of Sanjeevani, its Medical Missions abroad and Sanjeevani footprints in other countries. He said that the future plan envisaged by the honourable Chairman, is 2500 surgeries per year in each Centre. This will be possible if the Sansthaan (institution – like Sathya Sai Sanjeevani), Sarkar (government) and Samaaj (society) work in tandem.
Dr Ashish also spoke about the historic day of 11 surgeries, when 11 surgeries were performed all on a single day beginning from 7:30 in the morning untill 1130 PM. Dr Ashish emphasised that being able to perform 11 operations between two Operating Theatres and a small surgical team, is something that could have only been possible at Sai Sanjeevani. Dr Ashish then touched upon some of the unique aspects of these hospitals and spoke about ways in which the outreach could be widened. Expressing his gratitude to the Sanjeevani team and to Bhagawan, Dr Ashish then concluded his presentation and introduced a young girl named Sheetal, who had been operated upon at Sai Sanjeevani, Raipur. He explained the complications that had occurred during the surgery and requested Sheetal to speak about her experience.
Sheetal, who hails from Jabalpur explained that she had always remained strong and urged her mother not to worry about her. She spoke about her conviction that she would become well and displayed a great deal of strength and faith.
Bhagawan then blessed Sheetal’s mother to say a few words and the emotional expression of the relieved mother brought tears to everyone’s eyes. She expressed her deep gratitude to the hospital staff and Dr Ashish, saying that she had not felt that it was a hospital, but a family.
Bhagawan then blessed young Sheetal, who aspires to become a Police Inspector, along with her mother and brought the evening’s session to a close as Mangala Arati was offered.
Inauguration of Fourth Operating Theatre (OT) – March 15, 2020, Morning
On 15th March 2020, the fourth Operation Theatre (OT) & Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was inaugurated by Bhagawan in the presence of Sri B N Narasimha Murthy, Sri C Sreenivas, Rotarians Kamal Sanghvi, Ranjit Singh Saini, Anil Shrivastava, Yogesh Beriwal and H.S.Hura. The inauguration of the fourth operating theatre at the hospital was organised by the Rotary Club of Greater Raipur in association with Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital at Raipur and stands as an eternal testimony to the power of selflessness as the day marked an expansion in the selfless endeavour of saving little hearts.
The main function was held in Dr C Rajeshwari Auditorium in Sri Sathya Sai Sowbhagyam, a magnificent structure beside the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital. As the ceremonial lamp was lit by the dignitaries, the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Nursing & Health Care Sciences and the staff members of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, offered a beautiful welcome song. Bhagawan then took His seat on the dais, flanked by: Sri B N Narasimha Murthy, Sri C Sreenivas, RID Kamal Sanghvi, PDG Shiva Shankar Murugan, PDG B M Shivaraj, PDG Harjit Singh Hura, DG Ranjit Singh Saini, RTN Yogesh Beriwal, President, RTN Anil Shrivastva, Project Chairman and RTN Ritesh Jindal, Secretary.
Sri Yogesh Beriwal then welcomed everyone and recounting the genesis of this project, expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity of being a part of such a noble cause.
PP Mr Anil Shrivastav then presented a general overview of the project and spoke about the fifty-year long association between the Rotary Club and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Thereafter, a short film on the newly constructed Operating Theatre and ICU was presented and Sri Prashant Kolhe, Bio-Medical engineer spoke about the state-of-the-art equiPMent.
PDG H S Hura then acknowledged the contributions of each and every member of the hospital and recalled the speech of Dr Munesh Tomar, Chief Cardiologist at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Palwal, in this very auditorium in 2017 during the Cath Lab inaugural meeting. He recollected how later in a special meeting with her where there were discussions on how to reduce the waiting list of 24 months, the idea of another Operating Theatre and ICU was born.
PDG Murugan then addressed the gathering and expressed his support for the unique service rendered by Sai Sanjeevani, pledging his support for the hospital in the future as well.
PDG Shivraj was the next speaker and being overwhelmed with joy, assured the Sai Sanjeevani team that the Rotarians would be partners of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals. Pledging his own individual support to the hospital, he also remarked that one should serve beyond one’s capability so that one can bring happiness to many more people.
Felicitations were then offered to members of the Rotary club, after which, Sri C Sreenivas, Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust, addressed the gathering. Sri Sreenivas offered his deep gratitude to the members of the Rotary Club and assured that by working together, Sai Sanjeevani and the Rotarians would write a chapter in history for such unique and selfless work which has arisen out of pure love. Sri Sreenivas also spoke about technological advancements taking place as a newly created Blood Bank Application would allow blood donation to reach an extensive number of needy people in a short amount of time.
Thirteen-year-old Sheetal from Jabalpur then once again narrated her emotional story and expressed her desire for Sai Sanjeevani to continue mending little hearts like her own, granting more children the gift of life.
This was followed by the presentation of Gift of Life certificates to the most recently operated children who hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tanzania.
DG Saini then addressed everyone, saying that that this saga of friendship would continue as Sanjeevani held full confidence in the Rotarian family.
Bhagawan then remarked that pure souls are revered more than God himself, as it has been proven time and again that selfless acts undoubtedly become successful. Thus, the partnership between the Rotary Club and Sai Sanjeevani has embodied the ancient idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family).
Thereafter, RID Kamal Sanghvi spoke about the background of his “Save Little Hearts” programme back in 2009. He spoke about the idea of serving mankind as being the main purpose of the Rotary and outlined the ways in which the Rotary would support the efforts of Sai Sanjeevani. He then concluded his talk, emphasising that each person should pledge to save at least one child during their lifetime.
Sri Vivek Gupta, then addressed everyone and expressed the immense admiration and respect held by the Rotarians for Dr Ashish Katewa, Director and Chief Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital.
Thereafter, the entire medical team was felicitated and the remarkable efforts of each staff member were recognised and applauded.
The morning session then came to a close.