February 7, 2001

 A 200 bed, two storey, 50 years old,  largest Civil hospital of Bhuj in the district fell like a pack of cards. This hospital, which once catered to a population of one million, claimed 500 lives of helpless patients, their relations and the staff. This hospital offered services in Gen. Surgery,Gynecology, Pediatrics and Orthopedics. Hospital staff attended to all varied medical and surgical, adult and pediatric ailments, besides trauma and emergencies.

This destruction has created a big void, leaving a huge patient population without medical and surgical aid assistance. Thousands of people injured by the earthquake, after having received the first aid treatment, are now in dire need of prolonged medical treatment and care. Equally larger number of patients suffering from normal ailments of various kinds is also clamoring for effective medical services, which have become almost impossible due to the collapse of normal government and non- government medical services. For example, nothing can be offered to a lady in labor, an infant with convulsion or an adult with falciparum malaria. These patients are slowly inching to death.

Entire government machinery is suddenly thrown into critical battle on multiple fronts. Conducting massive rescue operations with scarce resources, providing basic necessities like food, water shelter, electricity, communication etc., planning for rehabilitation, maintaining law and order in the midst of utter chaos are taking their toll on government's time, resources and personnel. There are too many challenges and too little time. Under such pressing circumstances, substitution of extinct civil hospital was just one amongst the myriads of tasks on the list of the government crying for immediate attention.

A number of mobile hospitals from various parts of the world were flown to Bhuj. It was heart warming to see international medical community treating earthquake victims but they had limitations of time, language and follow-up. It was soon realized that most of these mobile hospitals would be out of Bhuj by10 Feb 2001. The question of future health support system after 10 Feb. remained un-answered. Mobile Red Cross hospital, too, was doing a wonderful job and would remain stationed for a very long time.  However, mobile hospitals can never substitute for the general hospital that once existed. Something had to be done solidly and quickly.

Dr. Tushar Shah, a cardio-vascular and thoracic surgeon and Dr. Rajendra Patel, an orthopedic surgeon - both based in Ahmedabad - and Dr. Gyaneshwar Rao, a general surgeon of Bhuj acutely perceived the problem. They realized the helplessness, not only of patients but also of the medical community of Kutch, who despite their earnest and sincere desire to help could do nothing.  The only hospital in these trying conditions, which offered services courageously, was Military Hospital. However, it could hardly meet the demands of the situation.  It was under these compelling circumstances that the three doctors felt the immediate need to act fast and to fill in the void. A public trust, named " Spandan ( a medical relief trust ) ", was floated with the prime objective of establishing a makeshift general hospital with adequate staff and equipment with active government help and assistance. The Health Minister Mr. Suresh Mehta, Chief Secretary, Dr. Mansingh, Commissioner of Health Dr. Joy and Director of Health Ministry, Dr. N.K. Patel not only welcomed the idea of doctors but also promised all necessary assistance from all departments and agencies of  the government in its implementation.

Now the ball was in the doctors' court and they were running short of time. Once verbal commitment of govt. was achieved and confirmed on 3 Feb 2001,doctors collected every equipment and hospital supplies necessary to commence and support 100 bedded hospital, including three operation theatres, one each for OBGY, Gen surgery and Orthopedics. It was decided that the hospital would be erected within 48 hrs. On Jubilee Grounds, Bhuj, using foldable Syntex sheets. All items were procured on loan. At times, it was easy, at times trying and difficult. There was no time for fund raising. Everything was loaded into trucks by doctors themselves. The caravan reached Bhuj on the morning of 3rd Feb. On 4 Feb2001, a makeshift hospital came to life. On 5th Feb. 736 patients were treated on outpatient basis, 12 patients were given indoor treatment and 3 operations carried out. On the same day, Spandan dispatched a complete pathology laboratory, which became functional from 6th Feb. evening. A computer was all installed for all the records and patient data. An ECG machine was also made available. In spite of prolonged power failure, 556 patients were treated in the OPD, 8 patients were admitted and 3 operations carried out with the help of a generator. Two ambulances were made available by Yuva Pratishan, Mumbai for easy transfer of patients.Now that a reasonable platform was available, more and more doctors of Indian Medical Association, Bhuj could give their services to their own people. Several doctors from India and abroad, too, joined them in treating collosal mass of ailing patients. Health minister Shri Suresh Mehta also visited the hospital, gave his guidance and once again promised all necessary help from the government. The ball was rolling fast and the mission accomplished.

A lot has been achieved and still a lot more needs to be done. Everything was achieved with borrowed money and equipment. The project has been accomplished with deep conviction that no work of such kind remains undone for mere want of money. The three doctors have done their might beyond their field of medicine and are seeking help from the rest of the community.