SMCGH & the future

The term "world-class" brings to mind a particular type of idea, doesn't it? Expensive, unreachable, only for wealthy people? But, there are two things that everyone deserves the best of, no matter what social or economic class they belong to, i.e., education and health care. Everyone has a right to have the best healthcare service and education because one life cannot be prioritized over another for any reason. These two areas of service are directly connected with human life and its standard, and sadly they are also the most underdeveloped areas in our country. The rural section of the society doesn't even have access to essential health treatments or education.

Fortunately, organizations, NGOs, and institutions are coming forward to help rural India get the best education and health services at an affordable price. One such Institute is Shantabaa Medical College and General Hospital (going forward referred to as SMCGH), working in the healthcare and education sector, providing top-notch facilities to the rural areas at a cost that all sections of our society can bear. Mr. Vasant Gajera grew up in Amreli and saw the problems and challenges people endure in obtaining even essential medical treatment for patients, particularly in emergency cases. Known for its quiet lifestyle and natural beauty, Amreli used to lack even essential medical services and infrastructure to meet the needs of people living in rural and isolated locations.Taking his mother's ambition forward, Mr. Vasant Gajera took over the government hospital in 2017 as a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) with government of Gujarat & started the Shantabaa Medical College and General Hospital under Gajera trust that was formed by Laxmi Diamond in the year 1993, A platform devoted to the purest of intentions – of bringing positive, sustainable change into this world through self-reliance and opportunities.

Seven hundred million people in India live in rural areas. 70% of which face a lack of quality infrastructure, absence of qualified medical staff, and no access to basic medical facilities, which results in high mortality rates. The progress and development of our country are dependent on the improved living conditions in rural areas where all the necessary life-supportive facilities, including healthcare and education, will be adequately available for one and all. The poor state of public health care units and unreasonably expensive private hospitals have left them no choice. The government sets up public health facilities at different levels. It faces a shortfall of 46140 Sub Centers (24%), 9231 Primary Health Centers (29%), and 3002 Community Health Centers (38%) across the country as per the Rural Health Statistics (RHS) 2020. Rural India desperately needs new facilities and systems to ensure that quality health facilities reach the places hardly paid attention to. After keeping account of all these problems, SMCGH has emerged as a public-private facility to bring the best of both, which is quality at low prices for the people living in villages.

Facilities at SMCGH

SMCGH is a team of highly motivated and professional doctors enthusiastic about providing everyone with the best health care facilities. The hospital consists of 750 beds with equipment and infrastructure with an in-house laboratory and pharmacy testing that ensures quality diagnoses and treatment. In addition, there is an In-house pediatrician, orthopedic, dermatologist, obstetrician, ENT specialist, and many more professionals to take care of every patient with an optimal method.

They aim to establish the best-integrated healthcare system that is compassionate towards patients and underprivileged people at an affordable cost because they believe that every life is precious. They are creating a holistic and ethical environment in rural India by establishing medical colleges and hospitals. The students learn in the natural environment from actual situations to bring a long-term impact on the lifestyle of people around that area.

Relationship between cost and quality of health care

We will first understand what a quality health care service is to understand this. A quality healthcare service consists of a few things:
- Workforce
- Service
- Technology
- Medication
- Infrastructure

The quality level of these five things determines a healthcare institution's overall experience and quality. In addition, the experience and satisfaction of a patient and the overall result of services also define the quality of service provided.

The Basic steps and technologies for treating disease are the same, and many institutions may charge double for the same thing. They charge surplus in the name of the brand and extra services for a better experience that may not be affordable to everyone. This causes problems. When every hospital starts following the same thing, the overall cost of health care increases; when this started happening, people started believing that they would only get the proper treatment if they paid more for it. The truth is that a hospital can provide quality treatment at a reasonable price.

SMCGH is to break that myth and prove that good healthcare is everyone's fundamental right by being competent with these five quality standards. They are well equipped with technology and ethically integrated professionals who understand the value of each human life and the importance of a healthy life. They specialize in Psychiatrists, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic, Radiology, Anaesthesiology, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, general medicine, and general surgeries.

SMCGH dreams of a better quality of life for the people living in rural India and is doing commendable work by targeting the two essential pillars - education and health care. Mortality rates in rural areas are comparatively higher also because most villagers have to travel to a different city or town for essential treatments, and many diseases even stay undiagnosed. We need more people to be thinking about these problems and not just sit and wait for the government to do something.

Being responsible members of this society, we grow, and we have to spread awareness and break false myths, not be ignorant of other people's lives and show them the right way. It may not cost you much but will mean a great deal to someone in need. So, with Shantabaa Medical College and General Hospital, let's make "World-class" basic.