Science College and Heart Surgeries: How Gurudevshri Rakeshji is Transforming South Gujarat
From heart surgeries to the first science college in 238 villages, discover how Gurudevshri Rakeshji is revolutionising healthcare and education in South Gujarat.
In the tribal heartlands of South Gujarat, a profound transformation is taking place. What was once a region where families had to flee for basic medical care or higher education is now becoming a destination for life-saving services and advanced learning. This shift is driven by the visionary institutions established by the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur (SRMD), founded by Gurudevshri Rakeshji.
As the Mission celebrates Gurudevshri Rakeshji's 60th birth anniversary this week, the impact of his long-term vision is evident in the lives of thousands of tribal residents who previously lacked access to even the most fundamental services.
A Milestone in Organ Donation
A recent, miraculous event highlighted the growing medical sophistication in the region. In May, a 40-year-old man from Vansda taluka was rushed to the Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Research Centre in Dharampur with a severe brain haemorrhage. Despite the intensive efforts of the ICU team, he was declared brain dead.
In a historic moment for the district, his family chose to donate his organs. The hospital successfully coordinated a complex logistics operation: his heart was transported via a green corridor to Daman airport and flown to Ahmedabad, while his kidneys were sent by ambulance to a kidney institute. This marked the first organ donation facilitated by the hospital and a landmark achievement for the entire South Gujarat region, providing a new lease of life to three different patients.
Revolutionising Tribal Healthcare
The Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital Network has expanded to 2,000 beds, serving more than 500 villages. The flagship multi-speciality hospital in Dharampur provides care either free of charge or at highly subsidised rates, addressing the needs of one of India's poorest rural populations.
Key medical achievements include:
- Paediatric Care: It stands as the only hospital in the area capable of performing paediatric open-heart surgeries.
- Neonatal Support: The neonatal intensive care unit has treated thousands of newborns.
- Early Intervention: The District Early Intervention Centre has supported over 1.1 million children facing neurological conditions and developmental delays.
Upcoming Medical Infrastructure
The Mission has announced several major expansions to ensure comprehensive care for the 11 lakh tribal residents in the area:
- Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Cancer Hospital: This facility will offer state-of-the-art Da Vinci robotic surgical capabilities, aiming to conduct 1,000 surgeries and 10,000 chemotherapy sessions annually.
- Shrimad Rajchandra Kidney and Eye Hospital: This will provide essential services including regular dialysis, transplants, and advanced ophthalmology.
- Love and Care Centres: A national network of these centres will act as primary emergency mini-hospitals across various rural pockets.
Building an Educational Ladder
Beyond healthcare, the Mission has addressed the educational vacuum in the tribal belt by creating a complete academic pathway, from primary schooling to university-level research.
The educational ecosystem includes:
- Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyavihar: A residential school specifically for children from remote tribal hamlets.
- Shrimad Rajchandra Gurukul: Providing secondary and higher secondary education, including a new campus for 700 students and the Shrimad Rajchandra Chhaatralay hostel for over 200 youths.
- Shrimad Rajchandra Vidyapeeth: A groundbreaking modern science college. It is the first science college established across 238 villages, allowing tribal youth to pursue tertiary education without the financial and logistical burden of leaving their homes.
- Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal University: Currently under construction, this university will bring multidisciplinary higher education and research directly to the rural landscape.
To ensure economic independence, the Shrimad Rajchandra Skill Development Centre also provides vocational training to tribal youth, bridging the gap between formal education and livelihood opportunities.