Milestones Revisited

Holy Spirit Hospital

Spread over 11 acres of land…
Far away from the velocity of the metropolitan humdrum…
A healing Oasis discretely tucked away amidst tranquil environment…

The hospital – a blend of traditional and modern – is equipped with the latest technology- sensitive to patient needs and emerging market trends …

Holy Spirit hospital with its humble beginnings in 1963, started as a small shack of outpatient clinic in 1966, illumined only by a candle of hope and faith in 1967 to a 50 bed hospital to its present magnum opus status of a 300 bed multi-specialty hospital.

A walk-through some of the defining moments of the Hospital history and the events that mattered in some lasting way, would make you feel the pulse of this great Institution.

Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit arrived in India in 1933 and began their work in Madhya Pradesh. They worked in the fields of education, medical, socio-pastoral care. In Indore the Sisters took over a school which today has a strength of 2500 students. Attached to the school was our Provincial House and House of Formation. Our Provincial House and House of Formation was transferred to Bangalore in 1967, From 1933-1956 three more houses were opened in Madhya Pradesh – Sirpur, Khandwa and Aulia. There was a strong desire in our Sisters to open a house in Bombay but this remained a dream till 1959. Sr. Itwars, our Provincial Superior at that time, started working enthusiastically for a community in Bombay.

And so the search went on till 1959. The Lord’s plan for our presence in Bombay was taking shape. In the suburb of Andheri (East) .

1961 - In July Sr. Regulinda was appointed to Bombay in order to look after the property and the affairs of the Society. In the beginning she stayed at Gyan Ashram and later transferred to the Aged Home. For a year and a half Sr. Regulinda very conscientiously did her mission of guarding the property and looking after all matters pertaining to the Society. Our grateful thanks and appreciation to her. In 1962 she was transferred to Indore.
At that time, where the Holy Spirit Hospital stands now and the surrounding areas were mango groves - a real jungle. Today the entire area is full of shops, flats, chawl, every nook and corner being utilized.
1962 - In February our Mother General Aloysine came to India for visitation of our Province. She discussed plans for the proposed hospital with some of our Sisters and Mr. Gonsalves and Mr. Mohile of Architects' Partnership. It was decided that the size of the proposed hospital for full development stage be restricted to 200 beds and for the present to provide for 60 beds only.
The purpose of construction specified was – Construction of a Maternity Clinic. - On July 4, Sr. Carmelann, the then Provincial Assistant was sent to Bombay to supervise over the affairs and negotiations of the building construction. She set to work with great generosity and zeal though there were many difficulties and tensions to cope with.
The blessing and laying down of the foundation stone was on the 7th of December. We had the joy of having Bishop William Gomes as the main celebrant, assisted by Father George Proksch, SVD and Father Schlappa, SVD. Around 100 guests participated in the celebration.
1963 - Foundation Stone laid
1965 - Sr. Carmelann appointed as the first superior with an ably assisted team consisting of Srs. Brigita, Dimara, Walfrida, Clementine, Bosco, Wildena, Marilena, Anna Rose, Willibrord and Hermanelde. The Skin Clinic was started by Dr. D. J. A. Rebello and a Dispensary for poor patients by Sr. Dimara.
1966 - An important milestone - the Outpatient Dept. was opened with six Honorary Doctors: Dr. M.C. Shah, Surgeon, Dr. N.A. Lewis, Physician, Dr. P.G. Baxi, Gynecologist, Dr. D.J.A. Rebello, Dermatologist, Dr. M.B. Shah, Surgeon and Pediatric Surgeon and Dr. V.C. Shah. Ophthalmologist. Upto Dec - 40 patients were treated as inpatients in space that was available and could be used.
1967 - January 14 Official opening of the hospital
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it. Our hearts were filled with great jubilation and gratitude. The long awaited day had dawned for us, the doctors, nurses, aides and other staff members who had laboured with love and dedication.
Birth of the Hospital January 14, 1967
The solemn opening began with a prayer of thanks of the Almighty God for His blessings and graces. The function was held on the lawn outside. Around 300 persons were present. His Eminence Cardinal Gracias was the main celebrant, assisted by His Excellency, Bishop I. D'souza of Baroda. Dr. Kunisch, the German Counsul was also present. Doctors, architects, contractors, representatives of religious institutes, our own staff, friends and benefactors, members of the Rotary Inner Wheel Club and Lions Club, also sisters and inmates of the Cheshire Home and Aged Home participated in this joyful celebration. Father O'toole. SVD, gave the welcome address. Cardinal Gracias gave the inaugural ,address
1967 Hospital opened under the leadership of Administrator Sr. Carmelann Mckee SSpS
1968 - Branching out
With a deeply committed motto “Service in Love", the hospital started Jogeshwari East clinic in 1967, its first community health centre. Subsequent clinics were opened along with mobile clinic facility in slums and areas around hospital. The centre seeks to increase access to qualitative & satisfactory health care for the poor and slum dwellers. The overall aim is to reduce disease burden, increase wellness consciousness, and bring about improvement ofthe health status of community.
A team of well trained Doctors, Nurses, Social workers and other paramedical staff work in these centres, in providing both curative and preventive care.
Apart from health care the centre conducts programs for the development of community – Balvadi for poor children, Creche, Vocational training for women, health talk and disease awareness programs, Training of health workers and Family visits.
1968 Along with added facilities, three more Honoraries were appointed: Dr. Alan D'souza Psychiatrist. Dr. (Mrs) S. Atit Gynecologist, Dr. Joshipura, Orthopaedic Surgeon. BEST bus service from Andheri railway station to the Hospital compound was started with the assistance of the then Mayor of Bombay, Dr. L. D'souza.
1969 Completion Of residential Municipal grant received
1970 Sr. Willibrord appointed Superior and Administrator .
1972 Breaking of the ground for the new quarters 'Jeevandata" for sisters and novices.
1973 Furthering the Out-reach programs, clinics for the poor were opened Balgovind, MIDC and Shanti Nagar.
1976 A new Health Centre 'Jeevan Kendra' was constructed to cater to medical, social and other needs of the people staying in Jogeshwari,in place of the mobile clinic, lending some stability in the service.
1978 Dr. M.B. Shah appointed as Medical the Superintendent. A 2-bed intensive Care Unit (ICU) was officially opened.

The ground-breaking Steps

1979 Breaking of the ground and blessing, for the second phase of the Hospital construction of a separate wing for private wards.
1981 A training course for health workers and nursing aids was begun.
1983 Blessing and inauguration of second phase of the Hopsital
1984 Hospital services extended to Gokivera, Bassein - weekend clinic.
1985 The remainder of the Second phase viz. children's ward, the Nursery, the Staff Canteen, the Multi purpose Hall, Sewing room, Stores etc. were ready for use.
1987 Sr. Aliciann appointed as the new Administrator and successor to Sr. Willibrord, who was transferred to her home province in Holland. The sincere work put in by Sr. Willibrord with her dynamic spirit, generous heart, and organizational skill, while she served as Administrator for 18 years was placed on record with gratitude.
1988 A Day Care for the drug addicted and psychiatric Patients were opened.
1990 The Hospital was recognized by the Bombay University for post graduation studies in Surgery, Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynecology & Obstetrics.
1990 The Adhyatmic Seva (Pastoral & Spiritual care) centre was started in line with our comprehensive approach to patient care.
1991 Blessing in disguise...
Notice was received that Society owned surplus land and needed Urban Land Ceiling (U.L.C.) exemption, if the Society decided to keep it for further development and expansion.
The U.L.C.exemption was obtained in 1995 on condition that the vacant land be utilized, and the expansion work started within one year and complete within three years, thus limiting the period from 1996 to 1999, which was extended for one more year with due permission. Thus, the expansion and development became mandatory for the Trust giving rise to the Third phase of the Hospital.
1992 The Hospital turned 25 ringing the Silver bells.
1992 Sr. Bernadetta SSpS was appointed as Administrator. During her one year Post Graduate course in Hospital Administration, Sr. Alphonse Mary was appointed as acting Administrator for 1 year from Sept. 1992 till Sept. 1993
1993 Sr. Bernadetta SSpS took over as Administrator.
1995 U.L.C. exemption obtained
1996 Inauguration of the Kidney Dialysis Inauguration of the Kidney Dialysis Unit with 2 machines. Thanks to the generous financial assistance received from Dr. (Smt.) Bhanuben and Mr. Mahendra Nanavati of Sunflower Hospital.
Exponential growth
1997 2nd August - The institute of Nursing Education began with General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), a 3-year Diploma Program, with 20 students intake per batch.
1997 1st October - Blessing and installation of the much needed Spiral CT Scanner
1997 Blessing of the foundation Stone for the Third Phase of the Hospital expansion.
1997 1st November - Ground breaking for the construction of the Third Phase.
1999 Blessing and inauguration of The Casualty Dept, Day Care unit with 6 beds and 1st fl. OPD. Thanks to Manos Unidas, Spain for their financial help for this
2000 1st May - Blessing and inauguration of the New Nursing School Building.
2000 Sept - Blessing of the remodeled and upgraded NICU and Pediatric ward, with additional private rooms having better facilities and improved amenities in the Dept.
2000 22nd Oct - Blessing and Inauguration of the Extension Wing:
• Gr. Fl. - Centralized diagnostic Centre
• 1st Fl. – 26 – bed ICU & ICCU;
• 2nd Fl. – Proposed Cardiac Centre
• The Nurses Hostel (Gr. 1st & 2nd fl.)
2001 23rd June - Sr. Lissy took over the responsibility as Hospital Administrator from Sr. Berndetta, who had made Holy Spirit Hospital to greater heights, with her foresight, untiring efforts, strong commitment and dynamic spirit.
2001 24th June - Mobile Hospital Van was gifted to us by Mr. Sunil Dutt, from the Nagris Dutt Memorial Charitable Trust enhancing our out reach programs.
2001 Installation of Hospital Management
2002 Keeping up with the changing times ... Started our own websitewww.holyspirithospital.org
2002 17th Jan - Inaguration of Blood Bank which was built in the area of the old ICU.
2002 15th Nov - Blessing and Inauguration of the Doctors Quarters after complete renovation of the building and construction of the 2nd floor., to the existing building. Continuous renovation of different areas of the existing Hospital was in progress.
2003 16th Feb Gastroenterology and Endoscopy was inaugurated .
2003 - 1st March - Silver Jubilee celebration of crèche a facility for looking after the. children of our employees, of working parents.
2003 14th Sept - Blessing and inauguration of:
• The completely renovated and upgraded Operation Theatre Complex.
• The 3 bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
2003 5th oct The dream of setting a radiotherapy centre was officially declared during a public function celebrating the cononization of our founder St. Arnold ,Jassend at Sacred Heart Church Andheri
2004 Aug - The Central Purchase / Material Management Department was established.
2004 8th Sept - Josepha Rehabilitation Centre was started with 16 beds on the 2nd floor. Above the ICU with 10 beds for HIV/Aids patients, and 6 beds for rehabilitation of long-standing patients.
2005 Feb - Another feather added to the cap .. 6th March - Advancing .. The. Hospital was recognized by CPS (College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bombay) in Paediatrics and Radiology, an 18 month P.G. program for Doctors.
2005 • 6th March. Advancing in technology Inaugration of CT ( Computer Tomology system added to the imaging department .
• 5th June - A new air conditioned Conference Room with seating capacity of 80 participants set up with audiovisual Aids, on the 2nd fl. above the ICU, to conduct training programs for development of skills.
• 6th June - The Blood Bank advances - Blessing and Opening of the Component Separation unit.
DNB & CPS Students
Approximately 95 Diploma and 95 Degree Students have been registered from the hospital and awarded the Diploma and Degree Certificate by College of Physician & Surgeons and National Board Examination. All Doctors who have been trained in the hospital are doing very well in their respective field/specialty. Dr. Anuja Sinha
2005 8th Sept - Medical Library shifted to a spacious location, on second floor above ICU.
2005 4th Sept - Another milestone .... Coming close to being one of the well-equipped hospitals in the city, the MRI unit was blessed and inaugurated adding to more Diagnostic facilities. Thanks to the generous financial help received from Conferenza Episcopale Italiana and the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany. A Documentary film (20 mnts) on Holy Spirit Hospital released.
2005 October - The Nursing 8th December - School progresses - A Continuing our Welfare four year graduate programs ... the program in Basic B.Sc. Foundation stone for Nursing was started, Creche and Staff Welfare with an intake capacity Building (Gr+2 floors) of 30 students was laid replacing the oldest structure.