Dr H M Patel (August 27, 1904 – November 30, 1993), ICS, former Union Finance and Home Minister has played a major role in Indian Politics. A native of Dharmaj, he graduated from Oxford University with a major in economics. He had an illustrious career as an ICS officer. He became Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry for Home Affairs under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1946, serving till 1950. Prior to independence, he worked with Chaudhry Muhammad Ali, the future Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Walter John Christie on the preparation and implementation of the crucial document ‘The Administrative Consequences of Partition’. He was head of the Emergency Committee administering Delhi in the days following the outbreak of massive violence following the partition of India in 1947. He also headed the effort to rehabilitate millions of refugees entering the city, while protecting others living in the city. He was Chairman of the Gujarat Electricity Board and was a trustee and supporter of the Vallabh Vidyanagar University. He wrote two books, Rites of Passage: A Civil Servant Remembers and The First Flush of Freedom: Recollections and Reflections. He established the Charutar Arogya Mandal in 1972 to provide modern and professional healthcare to the community equitably.
Charutar Arogya Mandal (CAM), is an outcome of a dream cherished by late Dr H M Patel. He embarked on building an institution which he envisioned would fill the need long-felt, that for a faculty of Medicine, not many thought would succeed. But determined he was to succeed and went about his task with the same missionary zeal and enthusiasm that characterised much of his work in building Vallabh Vidyanagar. The result: an institution that has now grown to include a Medical Council of India recognised Pramukhswami Medical College, an NABH / NABL accredited 850-bed Shree Krishna Hospital which began as a 136-bed hospital and is now ranked among Gujarat’s most professional healthcare centres. The hospital also runs Bhanubhai and Madhuben Patel Cardiac Centre and Manibhai Shivabhai Patel Cancer Centre, Dinesh J Patel Bone Marrow Transplant Center and Privilege Center in its 100 acre, well developed, lush green campus.
CAM also focuses on education too, as managing the Pramukhswami Medical College, H M Patel Institute of Post Graduation Studies, K M Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, L P Patel Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology, CAM Institute of Allied Heallth Sciences G H Patel School of Nursing and CAM College of Nursing where the underprivileged are also given the chance to study medicine and realise their dreams. Under the able guidance of the former Chairman, Dr Amrita Patel, CAM has realised his vision : to offer comprehensive and personalised healthcare, delivered with commitment, compassion and at the most affordable cost to all those in need of it. It has become hospital policy not to deny treatment to even a single patient for the scarcity of funds. CAM is a registered society and a public trust who manages these institutions. CAM has been accorded private university status under the name of Bhaikaka University.
Today, in an era where the crass commercialisation has victimised the medical profession which should be led by nothing but sensitivity towards humanity, nobility, moral responsibility and duty, CAM stands firm in its vision: to be a shining example of what the profession of medicine is supposed to be deeply rooted in providing Solace to the Suffering and continuously upgrading itself to serve the humanity. We have ethical processes to ensure that a patient’s health comes first.
The journey over the decades in creating and sustaining these institutions of excellence has been challenging. We have Ashirwad wards where there is no charge for stay, diet, procedures, treatment, consultation. We even offer substantial discounts in treatment cost to those living below the poverty line, senior citizens, women and children. The educational institutions do their share too, admitting students from economically disadvantaged families on scholarships.
It is CAM’s constant endeavour to innovate and deliver better healthcare to all!!