National Medical Conference Gets Underway…

The National Medical Conference under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations got underway this morning in a glittering function held in the hallowed Prasanthi precincts in the immediate Divine Omnipresence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Over 1500 medicos and paramedics are attending the 2-day Conference being organised for the first time. The Conference is themed after “Reaching Holistic Healthcare At Doorstep”.

In the morning, the programme commenced at 0820 hrs with a brief introductory note by a young medico, who introduced programme and the Chief Guests for the inaugural function. Sri Ramesh Kumar, Hon’ble Minister Of Health, Govt. Of Karnataka along with Dr Kamineni Srinivas, Hon’ble Minister For Health & Medical Education, Govt Of Andhra Pradesh, were the Chief Guests for the occasion. Dr B. Somaraju, Director, Care Hospitals, Hyderabad, was the Guest Of Honour.

Delivering the welcome address, extending a hearty welcome to all present, Dr S Gurumurthy, Director, SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram spoke on the greater relevance of the Sai Medicare Mission that aims at taking the holistic healthcare to every doorstep. Reliving the legend of the epochal Sai Medicare Mission dates back to the old Puttaparthi of decades ago, Dr Gurumurthy highlighted the fact that the Sai Healthcare Mission stands as a testimony of Divine Love and Compassion across the world. “Anything done with pure love, sacrifice and commitment is eternal…and this is what Sri Sathya Sai Medcial Mission is all about” said Sri Gurumurthy, referring to the several question marks raised from many quarters about the sustenance of the ‘free’ mission. Health care should be a seva with love and compassion completely free of cost, extending comprehensive treatment of body, mind and soul with specific focus on preventive aspect of the disease, said the speaker referring to Bhagawan, exhorting to move on to the next step of delivering holistic seva at doorstep.

A musical note vide a video presentation on the theme of the Conference followed next, presenting beautiful glimpses from the past, of Sai Medicare Mission.

A new initiative, a quarterly newsletter entitled “Sri Sathya Sai Aarogya Premanjali” was launched next, releasing the same at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Sri Nimish Pandya, President, SSSSO – India, speaking next highlighted on the yeomen service being rendered by the medical fraternity under the Sathya Sai Medicare Mission. I take this opportunity to salute all the doctors for the extremely sacrificial service they are doing over the years, echoed Sri Nimish Pandya, stressing on the miracle that all are a part of, by being in this epochal mission. Love and blessings of Bhagawan’s Mission has opened the door for a new healthcare system where money does not claim any importance, but love and sacrifice. Reiterating the telling impact of the Mission wherein society along with the fraternity are  relieving the poor of their suffering, absolutely free of cost, Sri Nimish Pandya, in conclusion, listed out the three major goals of the Conference that being, (a) deliberating on taking the healthcare to doorsteps by preparing a blueprint with expert help (b) special stress on preventive healthcare focussing on making people aware of ‘how not to fall ill’ (c) focusing on synergising the entire system to attract more and more to the fraternity to take the service to far and wide.

The first edition of Sri Sathya Sai Dhanwanthari Seva Awards were presented to some of the selected medicos for their outstanding contribution to Sai Medicare.  A curtain-raiser with a nutshell presentation on the awards, by Dr Mohan, Member, SSSCT, preceded the award ceremony. The awardees were Dr A.N.Safaya, Founder Director Of SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, who was awarded posthumously, Dr B. Somaraju, Director, Care Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr DC Sundaresh, Director, SSSIHMS, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Dr K. Narasimhan, Director, Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Hospitals, Dr (Ms) Inder Prabha, Sr. Consultant Gynaecologist, SSSGH, Prasanthi Nilayam, Dr (Ms) Vasundhara Devi, Sr Medical Officer, SSSGH, Prasanthi Nilayam, Dr H. Sundanda Bai of SSSGH, Prasanthi Nilayam, Dr (Ms) Neelam Desai, Senior Consultant – CTVS & HOD and Dr V. Mohan,  Chairman & Chief Of Diabetology, Mohan’s Diabetes Centre, Trust Member, SSSCT.

Dr V Somaraju, the Guest Of Honour who addressed the audience  next, mentioned about the stark contrast between the Temples Of Healing instituted by Bhagawan and the so-called commercialised medical profession thrusting on the greater relevance of holistic approach as promoted by the Sathya Sai Medicare Mission. Referring to the lacuna in the modern medical approach, that being fragmentation and super-specialisation, Dr V Somaraju speaking further gave valid suggestions to improve the already operational mobile medicare system and medical system in general delivering service with a bio-psycho-social-spiritual medicinal approach. Dr Somaraju was actively involved in the initial phase of SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram along with Dr Venugopal of AIIMS, Delhi.

Next came a rare ‘political’ camaraderie. When two health ministers from neighbouring states met up together at the Sanctum Sanctorum, it turned out to be a rare camaraderie, perhaps unusual anywhere else, but not in the Ultimate Divine Presence.

Speaking first, Sri Ramesh Kumar, Hon’ble Health Minister Of Karnataka, started off in his natural, humorous, witty yet emotional style, asking the audience to keep the Swami within ever sanctified and unadulterated. He then mentioned about some of the governmental measures his ministry has taken to safeguard the interests of the common man. Banking on his written speech, often getting into an ‘impromptu’ mode, the minister left the audience spellbound with his sheer simplicity, genuine and frank approach, calling for a greater responsible approach. Hailing the Sathya Sai Medicare Mission, expressing gratitude to Bhagawan, the hon’ble minister reminded his counterpart from Andhra Pradesh that, both of them should adopt Bhagawan in their manifestos. Referring to the previous speaker’s (Dr Somaraju) recommendations and pointing to some of prevalent unethical practices, the minster fervently prayed to Bhagawan to save all from such disgraces, guiding all to behave well. Before concluding, the Minister also touched upon some of the unique healthcare missions that are being implemented in Karnataka, owing immense gratitude to Bhagawan. “We Are Soldiers At Your Command”, he offered his assurance as a Minister to SSSCT for spearheading His Mission. He then invited his gentleman colleague from the neighbouring state to take a pledge in Bhagawan’s Presence that they will struggle together in relieving the suffering of the poor. Both the Ministers then moved to the Sanctum Sanctorum offering their pledge at His Lotus Feet.

Dr Kamineni Srinivas, speaking last, had showers of praise for the fraternity, who are dedicated to the Sai Medicare Mission. A tough, genuine and straight forward person, Dr Kamineni Srinivas then explained, how, as a person he is trying to implement righteous practice in his ministerial duties, by being duty-bound, incorrupt and truthful.  He also explained in detail about some of the unique governmental healthcare initiatives being initiated in the state. Congratulating the medicos and paramedics for their selfless service, the Minister observed that it is by Bhagawan’s sheer grace that such things are made possible. In conclusion, the Minister offered his unconditional governmental support for the Sathya Sai Medicare Mission Of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.

Bhagawan’s Divine discourse was then aired through the public address system. The discourse was an exclusive ‘medicare’ treat, with Bhagawan thrusting on the need to do selfless service to the poor.

Bhajans next ended with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II