By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Bethany Hospital which started as a medical centre, became a full fledged hospital in 2002. On Thursday, Bethany Hospital which has emerged as one of best known hospitals in the State, contributing immensely to the health care scenario of Meghalaya, celebrated its tenth anniversary at a special function held at the hospital’s premises here on Thursday.
Bethany Hospital is all set to add an MRI Unit to its institute soon and the foundation stone was unveiled by Chief Adviser to the State Government, Mr DD Lapang in the presence of several invitees, doctors, nurses, patients and others.
In its ten year journey Bethany has progressed by leaps and bounds adding state of the art infrastructure and promising to address the critical health care needs of people through networking with other renowned hospitals cross the country like GNRC, Guwahati, BM Birla Heart Institute Delhi, Max Hospital, Delhi etc.
Started in 2002 by Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang and his family, this hospital had only one operation theatre, 4-bedded ICU and CT Scan. With the opening of the annex in 2011 named as the new operation complex, many facilities were added including four advanced operation theatres, 10-bedded ICU, modern equipments, labour and baby room, special labs, dietary services including the main auditorium.
“Upgrading the Bethany medical centre to a secondary health care centre was not an easy task. All along the way, we faced obstacles but with the committed services of all those associated with this hospital, we were able to climb even higher in terms of the facilities and services to the people”, Founder and Director of Bethany Hospital Dr John L Sailo Ryntathiang said.
To commemorate this special occasion and with the consent of the doctors and staff of the hospital, Dr Sailo came up with the ‘Good Samaritan Pledge’ which aims at easing the burden of the underprivileged and economically backward families by providing free beds, one in each category of Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and providing free medical and nursing care, free specialist visit charges with money raised from the Good Samaritan fund. Out of this fund BPL families will be provided 15 percent reduction on cost of medicine, 20 percent on investigation and up to 50 percent or less on surgical charges.
“We also wish to have a pool fund to help the underprivileged people buy expensive medicines besides other supports”, Dr Sailo added.
Meanwhile, addressing the august gathering as the chief guest, Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya DD Lapang lauded the courage and determination of Dr Sailo. “This hospital has created a name in the city with the services it rendered to the people and the kind of love and care that comes along it”, Lapang observed.
While, appreciating the generosity of the hospital management towards the poor and the needy people Lapang said, “The hospital has come as a blessing to those in need” while encouraging the management to strive ahead and continue its good work for the benefit of the society.
Later, Lapang and his family doled out a sum of Rs 10,000 to the special fund of the Good Samaritan pledge.
The other dignitaries present at the function included AH Scott Lyngdoh, Editor, The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim, renowned doctors from all over the state besides others.