The SSSIO provides free and essential healthcare of the highest quality to those in need, adhering to the principles of Sai Ideal Healthcare—often in remote, rural areas where such services are needed most but are not available or affordable. The SSSIO continues to practice, promote, and facilitate Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s global health mission. Highly skilled doctors and healthcare professionals render loving, selfless services throughout the world without regard for personal recognition, benefit, or remuneration.

Principles of Sri Sathya Sai Ideal Healthcare

Every year, hundreds of thousands of needy patients receive medical services - these are rendered in the following primary areas, and examples of the different universal humanitarian services are described below.

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Awareness, and Veterinary Camps.
• Mobile and Permanent Medical Clinics – over 40 in operation worldwide.
• Specialized Procedures and Surgeries (including vision, dental, cardiac, and gynecological surgeries, and endoscopy procedures).
• Blood Donation camps (Blood, Plasma, and Platelets) and Bone Marrow donation Drives.
• Medical Care following natural disasters.
• Telemedicine patient care, education, and teaching programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals worldwide.
• Health Education and Wellness Seminars for all members emphasizing preventive healthcare.
• Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) for healthcare providers.
• Delivery of medical supplies and equipment to hospitals as well as areas devastated by natural disasters.

Guyana

The Fibroids Project and Medical/Vision Services [March 17-24, 2023]

The Fibroids Project aims to alleviate the suffering of women in Guyana with uterine fibroids; 32 patients were screened, of whom 21 patients were selected for uterine fibroid surgeries, which were performed successfully at New Amsterdam Hospital. The project began in 2013, and 167 surgeries and 5 urological surgeries have been completed since then. Eye camps were conducted to check vision and provide free reading glasses. The camps also provided health screenings and education on diabetes, healthy living, and suicide awareness. A total of 986 patients were examined, and 867 eyeglasses were distributed. Doctors donated medical supplies to the hospital, and members from Prema Nilayam Sai Center and Sai Centers in Berbice provided assistance and volunteered for the fibroids project and eye camps.

USA

Medical Camps

In 2023, several Medical Camps were conducted, with a few in collaboration with community organizations that are also focusing on serving the needy in their communities. A summary of the Medical Camps conducted in 2023 is shown below:

During 2023 a total of 19 medical camps were held, serving 1,917 patients.

Vision Camp, USA, Region 8:

A vision camp organized by Region 8 (Southern California) was held at White Memorial Hospital in Downtown Los Angeles on December 3, 2023, in collaboration with the Lions Club of Downtown LA. Over 35 SSSIO volunteers, including YAs, participated, serving 127 low-income individuals without vision insurance. Participants underwent eye tests and received glasses provided by optometrists from White Memorial Hospital and donated by the Lions Club. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude and called the volunteers "Angels of Light."

Permanent Medical Clinics

Blood Donation Services: Whole Blood, Red Blood Cells, Platelets

The USA is facing a significant shortage of blood products, particularly platelets. In response, SSSIO Centers and Regions are collaborating with local organizations to conduct blood donation camps.

Region 1: On August 19, 2023 in Buffalo, New York, a blood donations drive was by conducted, resulting in 28 pints of blood collected from 28 donors. In addition, there were 10 bone marrow registrations.

Region 5: In September 2023, a blood donation camp organized by Young Adults at the retreat of the SSSIO-USA Region 5 resulted in 31 pints of blood collected from 31 donors. The Sri Sathya Sai Center of Detroit conducted blood donation drives in May and October of 2023, which resulted in a total of 55 pints of blood collected from 55 donors.

Region 8: On December 16, 2023, at Sai Prema Nilayam in Riverside, California, Young Adults organized a blood donation drive, collecting 22 pints of blood from 22 donors.

Dominican Republic

Medical Camps

Medical Camp in Herrera, Santo Domingo

On May 20, 2023, a medical camp was held primarily for women, but 97 people were served, including 50 women, 30 children, and 17 men, who were experiencing health issues.

Medical Camp in Ceiba de Mata Mamón, Santo Domingo

On November 25, 2023, the SSSIO of the Dominican Republic organized a medical camp in La Ceiba, a community with many families living in extreme poverty. The camp provided medical services to 67 children, 59 women, and 39 men.

El Salvador

Medical Camp in Jayaque, La Liberta

In February 2023, over 100 patients were provided healthcare and given free medicines and vitamins. On May 20, 2023, 40 patients were served by medical volunteers, including three Internists and two doctors from the U.S.A.

On November 18, 2023, 79 patients were served. Four general practitioners were in attendance; blood pressure measurements were taken, and free medications were distributed.

Mexico

Medical Camps

Medical Camp in Sathya Sai School, Cuernavaca

On February 4 and 5, 2023, seven internists and two pediatricians served 156 patients, including school students and parents.

Medical Camp in Tizate, in the municipality of Zapopan, Jalisco

On April 16, 2023, 43 patients were served by healthcare volunteers, including two doctors who provided 40 reading glasses and various prescriptions. On June 25, 2023, 35 medical volunteers gave free medicines and 35 reading glasses to 35 patients.

Medical Camp in Sathya Sai School in Cuernavaca

In October 2023, a team of six internists served 109 patients, including school students and parents.

Medical Camp in Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero

A medical camp organized in Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero, Mexico, served 101 patients on December 2 and 3, 2023. A general practitioner, otolaryngologist, psychologist, and nurse practitioner rendered the services and provided free medications.

Permanent Medical Clinic in Iztapalapa Community Sai Center

In 2023, an Internist and a nurse served 105 patients in Iztapalapa, Mexico City. In August 2023, 27 children attended a medical clinic where doctors and nurses provided free medical certificates to the schoolchildren.

Argentina

Permanent Medical Clinic in Florencia Varela

In 2023, the Clinic served 169 patients in February, March, June, July, September, October, and November with the help of a general practitioner, a pediatrician, and 15 general volunteers.

Brazil

Medical Camps

In 2023, two medical camps were conducted in Lauro de Freitas-Bahia and Fortaleza state of Ceará, serving 215 and 36 patients, respectively.

On May 6, 2023, a Medical Camp Program (PAM) was held in Lauro de Freitas, Bahia, Brazil. The event took place at ACCABEM, a non-profit charity institution that houses the elderly and disabled and provides daycare for children. The SSSIO led the camp, offering free and loving medical care in specialties that are difficult to access. Eighteen doctors from various specialties, three psychologists, and ten medical students offered consultations and performed procedures. Patients requiring more complex procedures or follow-ups were referred to Hospital Santo Antônio for further care and treatment.

Health Education

On October 28, 2023, Dr. Roberto Cunha delivered a lecture about breast cancer in the Municipality of Ceará state.

Colombia

‘More Happy Families’ Program

A program called "More Happy Families" involving five medical volunteers resumed in June 2023 after the pandemic. It provides psychological support to 105 students and their families at the Human Values School of Funza and Prema School of Barroblanquito, promoting mental health in both institutions.

Paraguay

Cataract Surgeries

The Sri Sathya Sai Center of Asunción has set a goal to perform 1,000 cataract surgeries for the needy in Paraguay, free of charge, as an offering to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on His 100th Birthday in 2025. The initiative began in November 2019 with 26 surgeries but was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, 197 surgeries were performed, followed by 227 in 2022 and 182 in 2023, bringing the total to 632 surgeries. The initiative is supported by 19 doctors and 35 non-medical volunteers and serves people who would otherwise be deprived of vision.

Peru

Medical Camps

On July 27, 2023, 30 patients were seen in "Mirador el Valle" in San Antonio, Huarochirí, Lima. The doctors specializing in General Medicine and Dentistry, three medical volunteers, and two non-medical volunteers provided medical care. At the end of the medical camp, the general practitioner gave a talk to ten mothers in the community on how to make better use of the nutrients in food.

Fiji

Medical Camp

A team of 88 health professionals and volunteers from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and the USA, along with volunteers from Fiji, served 2,530 patients at six locations (Lautoka, Tavua, Ba, Ra, Nadi, and Sigatoka) during the 16th Annual Medical Camp in Fiji from July 23 to 28, 2023, over six consecutive days. Services included screening for hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular risk factors, and cervical cancers, consultations and treatment by various specialists, and medical services such as surgery, psychiatry, oncology, and dentistry.

During camps, diagnostic evaluations were done, including blood tests, electrolytes, creatinine, cholesterol, and blood sugar testing. ECG, spirometry, ultrasound, echocardiogram, endoscopies, and Pap smears were also provided. These facilities improved patient evaluation and disease management and aligned with the Sai principle of accessible, quality medical care. Free medications were dispensed to all patients, including enough supplies for managing chronic diseases, especially in remote locations, to ensure continuity of care.

A team of 13 registered nurses, one second-year nursing student, and two lab technicians assisted patients in various health services, including surgery, endoscopy, dental, eye, and emergency care. They triaged patients, performed blood tests and blood pressure checks, and identified patients requiring pap smears. Some nurses also served in a local hospital with a gastroenterologist, performing endoscopies. Collaboration with local Fiji government nurses also helped empower local nursing teams, promoting greater independence and continuity of patient care.

Seventeen doctors, including two senior medical students, served patients. This was a valuable learning experience for many medical students from Umanand Prasad School of Medicine (UPSM) who were volunteering with the team.

Nine doctors conducted interactive teaching sessions at UPSM on Day 1, covering topics such as compassionate care, medical ethics, mental health, surgical emergencies, foot care, acute asthma management, chest pain management, and abnormal uterine bleeding. The sessions were well-received by students and staff.

Mental Health

Psychiatry consultations were conducted in 'stress management' with a consultant, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and six counselors from BIRTH Fiji (an NGO providing counseling and mental health support services), including two i-Taukei and three Hindi-speaking counselors.

Surgeries

Surgeons from Auckland and Brisbane performed 62 surgeries under local anesthesia over six days. Local follow-up ensured continuity of care and prevented potential complications of infections.

Endoscopy

Forty patients underwent endoscopic examinations for gastrointestinal symptoms, including 36 gastroscopies, 2 flexible sigmoidoscopies, and 2 colonoscopies. Due to a shortage of scopes, the team assisted Lautoka Hospital with gastroscopy on some patients. Two patients had cancers and required further follow-up and healthcare management. Medical and Surgical Registrars were keen to learn the procedures and found the sessions beneficial.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists treated 416 patients, including sports injuries, amputees, stroke patients, diabetic patients, musculoskeletal ailments, occupational overuse muscle imbalance injuries, torn ligaments, sprains, and osteoarthritis, ensuring expert treatment and management.

Optometry

The Eye Team, consisting of an Optometrist and six volunteers, saw 963 patients and provided 1,071 eyeglasses across six camps.

Dental

The dental team, consisting of four dentists, one dental therapist, one dental surgery assistant, and three volunteers, provided emergency dental care, pain relief, and referrals. They provided treatments like ultrasonic and hand scaling to remove plaque and tartar to prevent further deterioration. Oral health education, including dietary advice, was also provided. A total of 507 patients received services, including scaling, dental fillings, extractions, fluoride application, and surgical extractions.

Dieticians

The team served around 190 patients over six days and locations, with most consultations being one-on-one with patients.

Gynecology

Gynecology services were rendered to 275 patients at camps, including 160 pap smears, which were particularly beneficial for rural women. The team diagnosed advanced and complex gynecological conditions which were referred to the Lautoka Hospital OB-GYN Department for ongoing management. This was especially beneficial for women in villages who never received a cervical pap smear test.

Australia

Health Seminars, Health Outreach, Medical Education

On October 5, 2023, medical students in Fiji attended medical education seminars on viral gastroenteritis, thyroid disorders, and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Sai Health Week activities in August 2023 included ‘Eat Sleep Move’, ‘3 Pillars of Healthy Lifestyle’, ‘Walk for Health’, ‘Yoga for Health’, and ‘Power of Positive Thought.’

Fiji

Health Education Seminars

Dr. Rajat Gyaneshwar gave four talks on ‘Respectful Care’ in 2023, with an average of 20 attendees at Nadi, Sigatoka, Tavua, and Lautoka Hospitals.

Video on ‘Respectful Care’: https://vimeo.com/875474557?share=copy

Outreach for Medical Initiatives

In August 2023, Ms. Jenny Monson, a counselor, did outreach for medical initiatives. She conducted workshops on ‘End of Life Care in Lautoka,’ which were attended by 35 health personnel from the Ministry of Health. She also assessed ‘Counselors at BIRTH,’ an NGO that provides counseling services for Viseisei Sai Health Centre, and conducted community outreach on improving spiritual health in the community.

Local Fiji Medical Camps

Two local medical camps were conducted in Fiji during September 2023.

Blood Donations in Zone 3:

The following whole blood, plasma, and platelet donations were collected in Zone 3:

New Zealand

Medical Camp – Otara Community, Auckland

SSSIO provided a free medical check-up, health promotion, and flu/covid vaccination to the Otara community in Auckland, New Zealand, serving around 100 people of different ages and ethnicities. The team included two doctors, four nurses, and one dietician. In October 2023, the Community Support Program Medical Arm followed up with seven patients with chronic medical conditions at Rongomai Preschool, Auckland.

Medical Camps

In 2023, 21 medical Camps were conducted in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, serving 3,917 patients.

Blood Donation Camps

Blood donation camps were conducted throughout 2023, with 5,297 volunteers donating blood.

Blood Donation Camps
Country	Number of Camps	Blood Donors
Indonesia	4	256
Malaysia	15	4,783
Sri Lanka	11	258
Total	30	5,297

Indonesia

During 2023, 4 blood donation drives were conducted, and a total of 256 volunteers donated blood.

Malaysia

During 2023, seven medical camps were conducted, serving 1,283 patients.

Philippines

On September 24, 2023, a dental and vision camp was held at the Sathya Sai School in Pillila, Rizal, Philippines. The dental team applied 163 doses of fluoride to the teeth of children, and the vision team provided eyeglasses to 30 students and teachers.

Sri Lanka

Cataract Surgeries

1,290 cataract patients in the North, North-Central, and Eastern regions were treated free of charge in hospitals. SSSIO volunteers provided eyeglasses and transported them to the hospital. During the event, they also provided meals and other assistance.

Contribution of Medical Equipment

Two slit lamps were donated to General Hospital Vavuniya, a government hospital in Sri Lanka that provides free medical services. These slit lamps helped the hospital offer quality eye care to patients in need.

Mobile Medical Camps

Ten Mobile Medical Camps were conducted in four regions, providing dental, eye, and other medical services to 1,915 patients in adopted villages and other locations.

Sathya Sai Suwa Sevana, Hospice facility

Sathya Sai Suwa Sevana, a Hospice facility, is located in Hanwella (one hour drive from Colombo) in a serene environment on a three-acre property. In 2023, 32 terminally ill patients were treated at this Hospice facility, with the help of nurses, attendants, and cooks, all on duty 24/7 to take care of their needs. A panel of Sai doctors visits the residents every Sunday. The Young Adults, women volunteers and SSE children take turns to visit them every month, entertain them, and encourage the residents to share their talents like singing and dancing and also encourage them with art, sewing, and knitting.

Health Awareness Camps

37 health awareness sessions were held, benefiting 2,163 recipients of all ages, from schoolchildren to the elderly. This included drug awareness sessions for schoolchildren and teenagers.

Blood donation:

Eleven blood donation camps were conducted, and 258 pints of blood were donated to hospitals.

Hong Kong

Medical Camp

On May 27, 2023, a medical camp was held, serving 40-50 individuals. Free Health Assessment including Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, and Blood Cholesterol were performed. Additionally, a Health Awareness talk was given during the Camp.

Mental Wellness Workshop

On June 24, 2023, 16 couples attended a mental wellness workshop.

In the first half of 2023, volunteers organized 11 training webinars on different activities of Medical Volunteer Camps in Zone 8. In total, 330 participants attended these webinars throughout the year.

Azerbaijan

A pediatrician and a psychologist from Azerbaijan provided seven patients with free psychological consultations: five for therapy and two for disease prevention.

Russia

Siberian Region

A dentist conducted preventive dental cleanings with ultrasound for 7 patients in one city and 11 patients in a second city and gave them new toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Northwestern Region

In June 2023, a small volunteer camp was held in Russia's northwestern region. Four specialists—a psychologist, a cosmetologist, and two massage therapists—served 17 men and 95 women.

Botswana

Permanent SSSIO Health Clinic

The permanent SSSIO Health Clinic in Botswana continued to provide essential healthcare services to the community of Gaborone, operating diligently every Sunday in the Sathya Sai Center. In 2023, the clinic served a total of 2,761 patients, 856 male and 1,905 female. The team of healthcare professionals, consisting of 13 general practitioners, 12 pharmacists, 3 opticians, 4 dentists, 3 ultrasound technicians, and 2 physiotherapists, provided a wide range of medical services to address the diverse needs of the local community. From general consultations to specialized vision care, dental, physiotherapy, and ultrasound services, the goal of the clinic is to ensure comprehensive healthcare access for all.

Blood Donation Camps

Two blood donation camps were conducted during 2023 as part of the ongoing commitment to addressing the critical shortage of blood in Botswana. The first camp was held on March 19, 2023, and the second camp on November 26, 2023; 44 pints and 34 pints of blood were collected at the first and second camps, respectively.

Kenya

Nairobi Medical and Dental Clinic

In 2023, the clinic saw 5,342 medical and 1,241 dental patients.

Mombasa Sai Center: Sai Vision

In 2023, the Mombasa Sai Center, with the help of two eye surgeons, conducted two outreach camps focusing on vision care in Malindi and Voi in conjunction with a group of eye doctors from nearby government hospitals.

After an eye test, patients were given free reading glasses, as well as eye ointments and drops. Those with complicated ailments were directed for further consultancy at Lions Medical Centre.

Those screened for cataracts were brought to Lions Medical Centre Mombasa and operated on the next morning. The Lions Bus dropped them back in their village the next day. Follow-up arrangements were made for patients to be examined after a month by the Lions Medical Center doctors.

For all Sai Vision Camps, SSSIO Mombasa Center partners with Lions Medical Centre and sponsors the outreach camps. The sponsorship includes free medicines, reading glasses, cataract surgeries, transportation, and follow-up of patients a month after surgery.

Madagascar

Vision Camp

The Sathya Sai Center in Antananarivo organized a vision camp on November 18 and 19, 2023, offering free consultations for eye diseases and vision problems. A pre-screening was conducted on 250 people; of these, 125 were found to have vision issues and received free consultations, and 96 patients required and received free corrective glasses.

Medical Dispensary

In 2023, the Sri Sathya Sai Center in Antananarivo offered free consultations and medicines twice a week, serving 1,066 people. Milk powder was provided to mothers for children in need. In addition, financial assistance was provided for medical care for 31 adults and 107 babies.

Malawi

Blood Donation Camps

Blood donation camps are organized about once every three months. In 2023, four camps were completed, and 100 pints of blood were collected.

Mauritius

Medical Camp at Gayasingh Ashram

On May 24, 2023, the SSSIO-Mauritius and the Global Rainbow Foundation served 70 women residents of Gayasingh Ashram, an elderly home, at a medical camp. The camp provided in-depth psychological evaluations to half of the inmates with psychiatric conditions and cognitive impairment and offered physiotherapy sessions to 24. Nearly all inmates were tested for visual impairment, and 11 received comprehensive eye examinations. Some residents were screened for breast cancer and anemia and treated.

Blood Donation Drive – Saint Pierre Marketplace

SSSIO-Mauritius and the National Blood Transfusion Service from the Ministry of Health and Wellness organized a blood donation drive on June 4, 2023, collecting 75 pints of blood.

South Africa

Blood Donation Camps

In 2023, five blood donation camps were conducted in South Africa, and 139 volunteers donated blood.

Tanzania

Nigeria and Benin

International SSSIO Medical Camps

In June 2023, a team of medical specialists from many countries of the SSSIO, supported by local volunteers, conducted medical camps in Nigeria and Benin. The team provided 2,504 patients with free medicines and eyeglasses and also conducted free glucose testing, malaria testing, and other blood tests.

The camp was held in Lagos, Nigeria, at the Sathya Sai Nursery and Primary School from June 9 to 10. The team served 251 patients on June 9 and 775 patients on June 10.

A camp was held June 12-15 in Benin (Abomey, serving 221 patients on the first day, 486 patients on the second day, 474 patients on the third day, and 297 patients on the fourth day). Referrals were made for follow-up and management of some patients at local hospitals.

SSEHV in Healthcare

SSEHV was launched in 2020 to introduce a Medical Education System based on human values for healthcare workers. It aims to improve patient outcomes, relationships, personal fulfillment, and self-care and prevent burnout for the caregiver. Workshops are also organized for schools and youth on health-related topics.

SSEHV Workshops conducted in 2023 for Healthcare Professionals

SSEHV workshops were conducted for healthcare professionals on the topic titled “Who Are We? - Holistic Human Values-Based Medical Practice”.

'Happiness Within Reach’ Program – EASE Into Health

The World Health Organization defines health as the complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, aligning with Sathya Sai Baba's teachings. The ‘Happiness Within Reach’ Program integrates SSEHV with outreach to promote healthcare and disease prevention, aiming to prevent diseases and improve overall well-being.

EASE into Health

E- Exercise regularly
A- Positive Attitude/Awareness
S- Sleep well
E- Eat Responsibly

Train the Presenter EASE Workshops have been conducted in 2023 and are in progress in Zones 1, 2A, 2B, 4, 5, 6, and 7.