In a significant boost for healthcare infrastructure in a tribal region, a major new multi-speciality hospital is set to begin operations in Palghar district of Maharashtra. This initiative, spearheaded by the philanthropic World Memon Organisation (WMO), addresses a critical gap in medical services for the local population.
Filling a Critical Healthcare Void
For years, the tribal district of Palghar has suffered from a severe shortage of advanced medical facilities. Residents in need of critical care faced arduous journeys to cities like Mumbai or Gujarat, often with tragic consequences. Haseen Aghadi, president of WMO's India chapter, highlighted this dire situation, noting the complete absence of a multi-speciality hospital between Vapi and Mira Road. Many serious patients, he stated, did not survive these long emergency journeys.
The newly constructed WMO Memon Hospital, situated on Saatpati Road, is poised to change this narrative. Built on a 1.75-acre plot of land, the 116-bed facility is one of the very few of its kind in the entire district. The project was initiated four years ago after the land was transferred to the WMO, marking the organisation's first and largest healthcare venture in a rural area.
A Dream Realised Through Philanthropy
The hospital stands as a testament to community philanthropy, primarily driven by the Memon business community, renowned for their charitable works across India. The dream was originally championed by the late Iqbal Dhanan, a member of the Palghar Memon Jamat, who donated the land for this cause. Although Dhanan passed away before seeing his vision come to life, the WMO has now brought it to fruition.
Unlike commercial private hospitals, this institution is a non-commercial venture run by a charitable trust. It will operate on a no-profit-no-loss basis. For the financially weak, treatment costs will be subsidised through various government schemes, while the trust itself will cover expenses for the abjectly poor, ensuring free treatment for the most vulnerable. According to Aghadi, the impoverished tribal communities are set to be the biggest beneficiaries.
State-of-the-Art Care for a Neglected Region
The hospital is equipped with modern medical infrastructure designed to handle a wide range of conditions. Key facilities include:
- Cardiac care unit
- Catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab)
- MRI scanning services
- Advanced pathology lab
- Modern operation theatres
- Dedicated ambulance service
Mudassar Patel, WMO's Mumbai chairman, emphasised that the project is guided by a spirit of service to humanity. At a time when urban private hospitals are often seen as profit-centric, the Memons chose to invest in one of Maharashtra's most impoverished districts. The facility recently received its final inspections by WMO office-bearers, including Aghadi, and is now ready to serve the community.
This hospital not only fulfills a long-standing need but also brings new hope to thousands of locals who previously had to travel great distances for quality healthcare. It represents a major step towards equitable medical access in a region that has historically been left behind.
