Our CorrespondentLudhiana, January 18
A 10-bed free Shri Ganesh charitable ward providing free admission facilities and a free OPD were inaugurated at Dewan Hospital by Mr Vijay Chopra, Chief Editor, Hind Samachar group of newspapers, here today.
Mrs Neeta Dewan, director of the hospital, while welcoming the guests, said that these charitable facilities were dedicated to late Ms Sheela Dewan, mother of Dr Narottam Dewan, the founder of the hospital. Ms Sheela, before her death during a major cancer surgery in a local hospital, had expressed the desire that the family should create facilities for the needy and suffering patients.
Mrs Neeta said that all the modern facilities in the hospital would be made available to the charitable patients as well without any discrimination. The facilities, presently available included management of renal stones by extracorporal shockwave lithotripsy, management of gall stones by laparoscopy, hysterectomies, herniorrphy, haemorrhoidec-tomy and modified radical mastectomies. A new urethroscope from Wolf Co of Germany and a lithoclast were also being installed in the hospital, she added.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chopra appreciated the contribution of the Dewan family to the country in the field of social service, especially health and education. He hoped that other hospitals would also come forward to make treatment, especially high technology surgeries, affordable to the economically challenged members of society. He asked the people to shed superstitions and avail the modern medical facilities to get rid of the burden of diseases.
Dewan Jagdish Chandra, a veteran freedom fighter and patron of the hospital, recalled the days of freedom struggle. He regretted that even after more than five decades of Independence, free education and adequate medical facilities for the poor still remained a dream. It was all the more painful that the medicines required by the poor, including most of the life-saving drugs, were heavily taxed, he added.
Dr Narotam Dewan, chief surgeon and chairman, recalled his experiences of four annual free and concessional surgical camps held in the hospital over the past many years.
The function was attended by hundreds of patients who had got themselves operated upon at Dewan Hospital during the free and concessional camps held in the past. Ms Sukhwinder Amrit, a poetess of national repute, sent a poem, especially written for the occasion. Among others, Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP, and Lala Lajpat Rai, MP, were also present.
