Skip to main content

Top Ahmedabad hospital trustees tell Modi, Rupani: Allow public hospitals to flourish

By A Representative
In an “appeal” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, trustees of Chinai Maternity and Sarabhai General Hospitals, Ahmedabad, one of the biggest in Gujarat, have said that the hospital was “inspired by Gandhiji’s vision of trusteeship and Daridra Narayan, regretting, “poor patients” today are falling “within the cracks of the health system.”
The trust, which has been opposing privatization of the hospitals by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), said in a communiqué that “Sardar Patel in 1930 gave this vision to the better off families of Ahmedabad. The creation of the Chinai Maternity and Sarabhai General Hospitals was a fulfillment of that vision.”
It claimed, “During 85 years of ‘glorious service’ these institutions have flourished and brimmed over with patients. It provided a unique model of partnership between citizens and government that has worked and is worthy of emulation by the rest of the country.”
However, the communiqué said, “Despite the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme , initiated by the Prime Minister, poor patients continue to fall within the cracks of the health system”, insisting, “There is an urgent need for them to access quality and free health services. The government has a responsibility to provide them free health care through the public health system and the city of Ahmedabad needs more beds within its public hospitals.”
Issued on the occasion of Gandhi’s 150 years birth centenary, it added, “No country can advance and prosper without the strong foundations of public health and education. This was the wisdom and legacy of Gandhi and Patel. Please let our public charitable hospitals live.”
The letter has been signed by Rupa Chinai, Brijesh Chinai, Jay Sheth and Dr Nishith Shah, all board members, Chinai Maternity and Sarabhai General Hospitals, Ahmedabad.

Comments

TRENDING

A fearless spirit lost: Rebecca Thomson dies at 17-hour Catalina Swim Mark

By Harsh Thakor  On July 26, 2026, Rebecca “Becky” Thomson suffered cardiac arrest while attempting the Catalina Channel Swim — a marathon open water crossing from Catalina Island to the California mainland. After swimming for 17 hours, Thomson collapsed in the water. Despite the painstaking efforts of emergency responders and the medical staff at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, she succumbed to a devastating hypoxic brain injury and died Friday evening.

An open letter to PM: Before you forgive, ask for forgiveness

By Martin Macwan*  Respected Prime Minister,  The first step toward true forgiveness is asking for it, and it is out of respect for the Constitution that the title "Honourable" is used for the office of the Prime Minister. Every abuse is "dirty" because almost all abuse is uttered with the conscious intention of publicly humiliating a woman, much like the disrobing of Draupadi in the royal court. This includes remarks like "Jersey Cow," used at public meetings on the Gujarati land of Gandhi and Sardar; comparing a female MP's laughter in India's Parliament to "Surpanakha's laugh"; and using a vulgar address like "Didi O Didi" for a Chief Minister who holds a respected position in a democracy—along with every other such remark. In the 79-year history of independent India, you are better placed than anyone to say which Prime Minister has used such language against women.

Women's groups, feminists hail wrestlers' courage, vow to continue fight after Brij Bhushan acquittal

By A Representative   In a powerful show of solidarity, more than 250 prominent feminists and members of women's organisations across India have condemned the acquittal of former BJP MP and ex-Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in the high-profile sexual harassment case filed by six women wrestlers. The signatories have expressed unwavering support for the wrestlers who have waged a courageous legal battle for justice against formidable odds.