Disease does not discriminate amongst age, gender, race, nationality or social status. Therefore, it is the fundamental right of every person to be in good health. Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave the guiding principles of ideal healthcare to medical professionals, urging them to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive healthcare, with love and compassion, completely free of charge, the emphasis being on preventive healthcare. In the present day and age, there is more emphasis on scientific advancements and cutting-edge technologies and treatment, rather than the art of healing. This problem is attracting increasing attention, and in many parts of the world, compassionate and loving healthcare is being given greater emphasis. One such example is the Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare program started in the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University, in Boston. The emphasis of ideal healthcare is compassionate and loving healthcare, and improvements in the interpersonal and relationship skills, rather than the technical and scientific aspects. This is ideally practiced in medical institutions started by Sri Sathya Sai Baba in India, which are referred to as “Temples of Healing.”
Putting the ideal healthcare principles into practice, the Sathya Sai Global Health Mission has been providing primary to tertiary healthcare at many medical institutions in India, and in more than 30 countries worldwide. Millions of patients have received free, loving medical services, including fibroid surgery, cardiac surgery, and neurological surgery in India and across the world.
This book provides an overview of how loving and compassionate healthcare is delivered through medical camps, medical clinics, mobile clinics and during everyday interactions with patients. It is recognized that in remote, rural areas in many parts of the world, people cannot access healthcare because of their social and economic status. In many places, such as India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, mobile clinics that provide diagnosis and treatment to the rural patients, free of cost, have been established. In this book, we have also covered aspects of preventive healthcare, as an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. These include hygiene practices, immunizations, nutrition and exercise counselling, providing pure drinking water, and emphasizing measures to reduce exposure to environmental pollution. In addition, various measures to prevent trauma and enhance safety are also taught to the public. Finally, to take advantage of newer technological advances and internet communications, telehealth projects were started wherein patients who cannot come to hospitals are provided consultation and treatment. This is recognized as an important service and a major modality of patient treatment, particularly for low-income patients. Telehealth is also used for the education of healthcare professionals, to manage and improve their skills and medical services in day-to-day activities.
Utilizing these various available avenues, every healthcare professional can take advantage of the opportunity to serve our fellow human beings with love, compassion and enthusiasm, which is the essence of Sathya Sai Global Health Mission.