The Prime Minister’s speech at the inauguration of Saifee Hospital Mumbai, June 4, 2005
The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan
Singh, inaugurated the Saifee Hospital at Mumbai on June 4, 2005. Following is
the Text of the PM’s speech –
“It is a doubly blessed day for me.
We have gathered here to inaugurate yet another noble act by the Dawoodi Bohra
community in the service of mankind by the inauguration of this grand hospital
and what a coincidence that this event coincides with the 94th
birthday of Syedna Dr. Mohammad Burhanuddin Sahib. That this inauguration
is taking place on such an auspicious day. It in itself speaks about the glorious
future of this great institution that this Saifee hospital has become. My first words are words of gratitude to all
of you for giving me the opportunity to inaugurate this magnificent hospital.
When I look at the growth of Indian civilisation through the centuries, I
am reminded of a couplet from Dr. Mohammad Iqbal when he compared our civilisation
with the civilisations elsewhere, he said “
That our civilisation has been a
living civilisation of centuries and thousands of years which is because this
civilisation has been blessed by numerous saints, philosophers who have showed
us the way and the Daowoodi Bohra community in own old times has been a pace setter
in emphasising the value of unity in diversity in this great ancient land of
India. And therefore, I am delighted
that I am in your midst today. I just
had a brief tour of the hospital premises and I see before my eyes a world
class healthcare facilities, another landmark in this commercial capital of
India that Mumbai is. I have no doubt
that the Saifee hospital will address the growing demand for state-of-the-art
humane but efficient healthcare, as a multi speciality tertiary hospital.
It is not only the modernity and
excellence of this hospital that is so impressive. I am truly touched by the
philanthropic spirit of Syedna Sahib and the Daowoodi Bohra community that
stands before us today in the form of bricks and mortar in the service of the people
of this great metropolitan town that Mumbai is. It is highly creditable that this project is primarily financed
by donations and through charity. Indeed, it is more so, because the doors of
this hospital are open to all and because healthcare will be provided to those
who need it, not merely to those who can afford it. And for this magnificent hospital, I pay tribute to the Late Dr.
Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb in whose memory we are dedicating this hospital today.
His spirit of humanism and compassion have been inherited by Syedna Dr.
Mohammad Burhannuddin Saheb who is respected all over the world for his deep
religiosity and philanthropy. This
hospital is a symbol of these fine qualities of head and heart that endear Dr.
Syedna to so many people all over the world.
Once again, on this auspicious day, I wish Syedna Mohammad Burhannuddin
Saheb, I thank him for the establishment of this hospital and I greet him on
behalf of the entire Indian nation on this auspicious occasion of his birthday.
Specialist hospitals must meet the
needs of all segments of our society. They must respond to the felt needs of
the community at the grassroot level. Medical and para medical personnel must
be imbued with the commitment to ensuring the welfare of the community they
serve. It is therefore very satisfying
that the Saifee hospital is inspired by a larger commitment to humanity.
Premier tertiary level institutions such as this magnificent hospital must be
the role models for medical institutions at other levels. This is particularly
so when the community at large reposes great trust and faith in charitable
hospitals that are managed by the community organisation. Experience has shown
that neither government-run hospitals nor private corporate hospitals have
succeeded in fully addressing the healthcare needs of our people. On the other
hand, charitable institutions have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to
care irrespective of which community is involved. It is my firm belief that all institutions that serve the cause
of God by serving the needy first usually end up serving all of the society
best. I shall like to clarify that I do not oppose the involvement of the
private sector in healthcare. On the contrary, in a large and diverse country
such as India, involving the private sector in healthcare is inevitable and
indeed desirable. However, our effort must be to guard against inadvertently
creating two worlds separated by an insurmountable distance – a world of high
class medical care for a privileged few, and a larger world of neglect of the
interests of many. It is incumbent for State and local Governments to show a
renewed commitment to public health and to public healthcare institutions.
Therefore, I am convinced that the public sector must remain an integral part
of the healthcare sector. But there is enormous scope for involvement of the
community and charitable associations and this hospital is a shining example of
that.
Healthcare is an essential part of
our Government’s commitment to our people. Not long ago, I launched the National
Rural Health Mission as part of our pledge to complete what Jawaharlal Nehru
described as the ‘unfinished agenda of our freedom movement. Closing the health
gap among our people is a matter of top priority, if we are to succeed even
in partial measure in building a genuinely free, fair and equitable society.
This hospital as I said, will make a magnificent contribute to realising this
national ideal. Today, our country
stands at a peculiar crossroad of history. Not only are we burdened with communicable
diseases like tuberculosis and malaria – the diseases of the past but we are
also increasingly afflicted with lifestyle ailments, such as diabetes, hypertension
and coronary artery disease, cancer – the diseases of our future. We must therefore all work together to devise
imaginative ways and means to tackle both sects of maladies simultaneously.
This is of course not an easy task when there are innumerable contenders for
limited financial resources. And it is in this context that today’s function
derives it great significance. I see the proactive role of charitable institutions
and community organisations as cause of hope. Very simply, without the support
of all segments of the society, it will not be possible for the state alone
to bridge the healthcare gap that is so visible in our country. I therefore
compliment the Saifee Hospital Trust and the members of the Dawoodi Bohra
Community for their yeoman public service. Indeed, this is a well deserved
reputation that this noble community has earned over the centuries. The fact
that you are giving back so much to the wider community is not only a credit
to our Dawoodi Bohra brethern and sisters, it is also a testimony to the success
of the experiment that is the building of modern India, an inclusive society
where people of all religions can live together as brothers and sisters, as
equal partners in processes of development. Therefore, when I see ventures such as this
magnificent hospital and I see its success, it gives me great hope for the
future of our vast and ancient land. I therefore, conclude my speech by complimenting
the Saifee Trust and all those associated with this hospital on this very
happy and auspicious day. I wish this hospital and the members of the Bohra
community all success in the noble task that you are engaged in. And as I
said, for me it is a doubly blessed day because today happens to be the 94th
birthday of Syedna Dr. Mohammad Burhannuddin Saheb. To him I pay my respects
by quoting another couplet
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