A Free Multi-Speciality Hospital as a Precursor to Free Medical Education

Honourable Union Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone for a completely free-of-cost new 400-bedded multi-speciality hospital adjoining Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, along with Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.

This multi-speciality hospital shall provide free medical care to all. It will act as the precursor to establishing India’s first free Medical College, which shall bequeath medical education completely free of cost to the rural poor.

This is in keeping with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi’s call for greater participation of Private and Social Institutions to strengthen Medical Education in the country. The Prashanthi Balamandira Trust has undertaken this humanitarian service project of medical care along with medical education to create and nurture committed and skilled doctors to serve the country’s unserved geographies and populations, particularly in the wake of the dislocation of Indian medical students from Ukraine, opting for medical education outside India, due to the challenges of non-availability and unaffordability of medical education in India.

Already a completely free-of-cost, multi-speciality hospital without a billing counter – Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital has been rendering compassionate healthcare service to the needy sections of the society at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, and it was dedicated to the nation by Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka – Mr Basavaraj Bommai. The new 400-bedded hospital block by the Prashanthi Balamandira Trust, will cater to several other specialities absolutely free of cost.

Speaking at the event after laying the foundation stone, Mr Amit Shah said, “The vision of selfless service that I have seen here speaks for itself. The strength and the futuristic vision with which selfless service activities are being carried out here, with no desire for name or fame, by only keeping the whole nation’s welfare in mind, with total surrender—makes me fall short of words. Taking inspiration from Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s teachings, this institution at Sathya Sai Grama is carrying out a mahā yajña of sevā. Today the ground-breaking ceremony of the 400-bedded hospital took place. Running a free hospital is not easy; it could bring many challenges. However, I see that the Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital is running it all free, with upgraded facilities and technology. I am extremely happy to know that the institution is marching towards commencing a free medical college for students—this will be the first of its kind in India. This effort shall definitely find success.”

'Very soon, a free medical college will come up here'

Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai in His benedictory message, said, “The Indian culture always taught everyone to pray for the welfare of everyone else—vasudaiva kutumbakam – a global family is the Indian idea. Today, Honourable Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah graciously laid the foundation stone for the 400-bedded multi-speciality hospital.  The Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr Basavaraj Bommai, dedicated the Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital to the service of the nation. More than 19,000 patients have been treated completely free of cost at this hospital. In the coming time, this will become the most important centre for both health and education. Very soon, a free medical college will come up here. In truth, we are not doing anything new. Giving free services to all people for their basic needs was the original Indian way. In India, food, education, and health were never sold—food was served to everyone considering them as atithi— education was bestowed to students free of cost in gurukulas—vaidyo nārāyano harih – doctors were considered God because they served out of compassion without charges. We are only trying to revive the glorious Indian way back to its originality.

Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has said – sabka sāth, sabka vikās, sabka vishwās and sabka prayās. Ours is one such effort so that we can walk hand in glove with the Government to make India the viśvaguru, and everyone in India receives their basic rights of nutrition, education, and healthcare.”

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines – Mr Pralhad Joshi; Chief Minister of Karnataka – Mr Basavaraj Bommai; Minister of Small-Scale Industries and Municipal Administration of Karnataka – Mr MTB Nagaraj; Minister of Home Affairs, Government of Karnataka – Mr Araga Jnanendra; and Minister of Health & Family Welfare, and Medical Education, Government of Karnataka – Dr K Sudhakar were also present at the event to commemorate this new noble beginning.

At the event, Mr Amit Shah presented the ‘Chiranjeevi Bhava’ certificates to two mothers with their newborn babies and two children treated for heart defects at Sri Sathya Sai Sarla Memorial Hospital, Totally Free of Cost.