Published on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 23:30 Hrs. IST

A two-day International Conference on Cardiovascular Diseases, entitled “International Conference on Cardiovascular Diseases —The Sathya Sai Model” was organised by SSSIHMS at the hospital premises, on 25th and 26th October, 2010. The conference was blessed by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The conference was attended by eminent cardiologists and cardio-thoracic surgeons from around the world in an endeavour to share breakthroughs in the field of Cardio Vascular care, with a focus on administering efficient cardiac care in tune with Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba dictum that free healthcare, like free education and drinking water, is an inalienable right of every individual, irrespective of race, religion, caste, creed, economic status or nationality.

The highlight of the conference was the visit of Bhagawan in the midst of the conference proceedings. Bhagawan also attended a presentation on “Redo CABG – Do’s and Don’ts” by the famous Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Sudhanshu Bhattacharya.

Director of SSSIHMS, Dr. A.N. Safaya in his welcome address to the conference said that SSSIHMS is a model established by Bhagawan. “This hospital is in its 20th year, when it is viable in this remote village of India, then this model can be emulated all over the world”, Dr. Safaya said. “Why cannot the richest countries in the world do something like this,” he asked. Dr. Safaya also deliberated about the essential element of human care while administering healthcare. “Treatment should not be like giving penny to a beggar, but like a rose to God,” he said.

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In his inaugural address Dr. Angelo Thomas Pezella, the director and founder of the International Children’s Heart Fund, the US, emphasised that apart from food, water, clothing and shelter, the basic needs also to include, education, transportation, safety, empowerment, respect and recognition. Dr. Pezella added that everyone in this world had a right to adequate standard of living that would ensure the well being for himself and his family. Further, Dr. Pezella said he was struck by Bhagawan Baba’s five principles of healthcare, which are the essential elements of efficient medical care.

Renowned Indian cardiac surgeon Dr. P. Venugopal, in his keynote address, dwelt about his experience of working on the SSSIHMS project and how Bhagawan Baba had guided  the project team at every step. “The general consensus was that a project of this size and magnitude from construction, completion and commissioning could not be executed in seven months,” he said while referring to the deadline Bhagawan Baba had put on the completion of the project. Dr. Venugopal, however, said that he had felt differently and had committed to Bhagawan that completion and commissioning of the project was indeed possible if Bhagawan’s blessings were with them. “Initially we ran into many roadblocks but at the end of every roadblock stood Swami and He made the impossible possible. He got into the bottom of every aspect from medical processes to equipment from training to principles and guidelines,” he said. “Swami was a doctor, midwife, mother all rolled into one when it came to delivering His precious baby — the hospital” he said.

Providing an overview of the Sri Sathya Sai Global Health Mission, Dr. Narendranath Reddy said that the society of today was caught up in www — wealth, wealth, wealth. Rather the society should imbue another set of www — work, worship and wisdom. Looking back at Puttaparthi Dr. Reddy said that some 60 odd years ago, no facilities were available at Puttaparthi, but now the face of Puttaparthi has undergone a complete transformation due to the ‘Love in Action’ of Bhagawan Baba.  Dr. Reddy also highlighted the efficient role played by the sevadals of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in providing relief and care across the world.

The two-day conference was divided into 10 sessions where a galaxy of Cardiologists and Cardiovascular surgeons shared their experience through various symposia and presentations on topics which included, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiac aneurysms, preventive cardiac care, new vistas in cardiac care among others.

At the end of the conference, the Head of Department of Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, Dr. Neelam Desai expressed in her concluding remarks that the delegates have been exposed to many advanced technologies and new treatment options for Cardiovascular diseases during the conference, all would be missing a golden opportunity if they did not carry along the divine wisdom from Bhagawan. “Swami says that the road to divinity is through service...Dedicating even one day a month or some free procedures a month will go a long way in helping the needy,” she said. Referring to an interview with Bhagawan, Dr. Desai said that Bhagwan had emphasised the fact that the main causes behind diabetes and heart disease were mental anxiety, jealousy, envy and competitiveness and also hurry, worry and curry. “The preventive aspect of cardiac care also has to be given importance so that in future conferences, we should be able to say, ‘last year we did 2-3 surgeries and not 200-300 surgeries’”, she said.

Evening Programme

Human heart is the centre of feelings and from the feelings arises human action. When the heart is inscribed with holy feelings, 'man' becomes man in the truest sense. Prasanthi was seemingly airing such a subtle message when one could spot many a heart hanging around bearing holy inscriptions such as, Love All Seve All, Help Ever Hurt Never, Service to Man is Service to God etc., decorating the Sai Kulwant Hall.

The backdrop of the entire scenario was the two day "International Conference on Cardiovascular Diseases - The Sathya Sai Way" being held at SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram.

The conference coincided with the a cultural programme in the evening put up by the SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, in the Sai Kulwant Hall, on 25th evening titled “To Be Is To Serve” as part of Bhagawan’s 85th birthday celebrations.  The programme was in the form of a docu-drama which showcased the health miracle of SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, created by Bhagawan Baba. The doctors from SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, took over the various characters in the docu-drama to emphasise the fact that since its inception the SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, had benefited lakhs of people from across the country and even abroad going beyond the distinctions of caste, creed, class, race, religion and nationality. By showcasing the experiences of patients, staff of the hospital and the sevadals the programme underlined the aspect of the hospital being a temple of divine transformation, which had not just treated rather transformed lakhs of people including the staff.

As the programme was coming to close, a final song rang aloud recapitulating Bhagawan’s teachings on service - “Charo Disha Mein Hain Chayi Bahaar”. With the song making waves, staffers started trooping into the centre block joining in chorus. It became an apt occasion for the hospital to offer tribute to The Lord on the occasion of 85th birthday.

The programme was greatly appreciated by the delegates of the conference and also the audience.