A young girl from Chhota Udaipur district, Nayana is the fourth child of her labourer parents. It was when she was merely a year old that Nayana accidentally fell into a fire that left her scalded badly on her face, neck and palms. In spite of a couple of months of treatment that cost her parents a few months’ earnings, she was left with scars on her face and fingers stuck to the palms, leaving her handicapped and helpless.
Seeing her condition, her teacher recommended visiting Kaka-Ba hospital. The hospital performed a surgery, free of cost, helping her gain full functionality of her hands. This is one of the many inspiring stories that thousands of Kaka-Ba patients have to share.
Extending selfless and noble support to the poor and needy, Kaka-Ba hospital, a multi-specialty charity hospital at Hansot village managed by Kaka-Ba and Kala Budh Public Charitable Trust, has been relentlessly working towards providing free-of-cost medical care to the marginalized population.
Established by the visionary founder of Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, Indravadan A Modi, Kaka-Ba hospital has been instituted in the memory of his cousin who died due to typhoid due to lack of medical facilities at Hansot, a small village in South Gujarat. Determined to provide quality healthcare services at affordable cost to the poor, Shri Modi set up Kaka-Ba hospital.
Poverty and inadequate healthcare had left Hansot village in a miserable state. Kaka-Ba Hospital was set up in 1985, and since then there has been no looking back. Over a span of three decades, the hospital has saved thousands of valuable lives.
With ultramodern facilities and an exhaustive list of departments and facilities such as General Physician, General Surgery, Plastic surgery, dental, Ophthalmology, gynecology, psychiatry, dermatology, neurology, physiotherapy, etc., the hospital is an epicenter of medical wellbeing and other welfare activities for the deprived sections of the community.
Enrolled as Nodal Hospital by the Government of India for Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) in the year 2008, Kaka-Ba hospital was awarded by the Government of Gujarat for commendable work for RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme) in 2010-11. Moreover, the hospital has been felicitated by Public Relation Society of India (PRSI) for the 3 decade long dedicated service in the area of healthcare.
Over the years, Kaka-Ba and Kala Budh Public Charitable Trust have also branched out support to a host of other causes such as creating health and hygiene awareness as well as promoting education and welfare initiatives for women and children. Under their rural development initiative, they aim at integrating social, economic and environment concerns by undertaking community development activities.
One such notable maneuver is the renovation of S L Patel High School in Bhat village. With dingy walls and dilapidated classrooms, the school was in no shape to harbor education and development leading to growing school dropouts, particularly girls. Cadila Pharmaceuticals, through the charitable trust, agreed to extend support with financial aid for the construction of classrooms.
Spacious and well ventilated classrooms were then constructed which led to over 150 students enrolling for IX and X grade education. Not stopping at that, the trust continued to support the school by conducting exposure visits and motivation programs, enriching the school library and supporting state and national level competition. On account of this intervention, the school was honored with the Best School in rural area of Ahmedabad District.
Chasing Hope
Bidyut, a young boy from Assam was suffering from Bone Tuberculosis. This disease caused stiffness in the spine and joint pain which made him bedridden for 13 years. Despite an anti-TB treatment, he still suffered from pain and was left handicapped.
Seeing his pitiable condition, Bidyut’s friend recommended him to visit Kaka-Ba Hospital in Gujarat. He informed him of the hospital’s provision of free surgeries and medication for the underprivileged. With a hope to gain respite from his pain, Bidyut traveled from Assam to Hansot.
At Kaka-Ba, he had undergone a complete examination of his condition by various specialists. It was diagnosed that Bidyut was suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), a form of arthritis that affects the spine. If untreated, this inflammation could severely affect his spine, bowel and lungs.
A team of doctors developed an extensive line of treatment involving a hip replacement surgery, physiotherapy and medication. This cost a staggering Rs. 20 lakhs which was beyond the reach of Bidyut. Seeing his severe condition, Kaka-Ba team offered free treatment and medication. After six months of intensive care and support from the Kaka-Ba team, Bidyut’s condition began to improve. The stiffness of his spine, neck, back and joints were reducing and he was able to gain 90% improvement in physical movement.
The hospital’s benevolence and dedication towards his recovery left Bidyut speechless and inconsolable. “I traveled from east to west in search of hope and betterment and I was not disappointed. Kaka-Ba Hospital’s unflinching efforts and sahara has made me walk again and has renewed my purpose and perspective on life. I thank Kaka-Ba Hospital for giving me a second life.” said Bidyut.
This is an instance of Kaka-Ba’s many compassionate stories that have impacted lives of many underprivileged patients who have been uplifted from their dire state with the provision of free of cost healthcare. Speaking on the charitable hospital’s mission was Dr. Bharat Champaneria, Chief Coordinator – Kaka-Ba Hospital, “At our hospital, we believe that quality healthcare is everyone’s right. Our mission is to provide the highest form of care to anyone who steps into our hospital irrespective of their caste, origin, religion or status. For over three decades, this philosophy has earned us happiness and smiles that no monetary reward can ever fulfill.”
Today Bidyut is traveling back to Assam with his teary-eyed mother. He can now enjoy the serenity and peace of his train journey and hope for a better life.
