Apr 18, 2009 05:08 PM
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(Updated Apr 18, 2009 05:36 PM)
I am writing on the mouthshut.com platform after a hiatus of almost two years now, well friends an ardent writer like me needs to have a genuine reason to do so and I do have one – so keep reading the rest of my reviews hence forth and I am sure I would have accounted for my long disappearance.
Yeah, reviewing Saifee Hospital–Well as most of you maybe aware I belong to the Bohra Community and this hospital was conceptualized andbuilt under the guidance of my spiritual head, His Holiness Dr. SayednaMohammed Burhannuddin. The hospital was envisioned by his father, late His Holiness Sayedna Taher Saiffuddin *(hence the name) and was inaugurated on his *94th Milad(Birthday) of Sayedna and had many powerful dignitaries like our PM, Srilankan PM, some of the most powerful Sheikhs and princes from across the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Africa.etc.
My first visit to this hospital was not on its inauguration despite the fact that it was considered a major event in the history of Mumbai and an event of its kind within the Bohra community; however the reason for my first visit to the hospital may sound to be a little bit hilarious one for all those who read it here. The day I chose to visit the hospital was a couple of months after it being officially inaugurated and the excuse simply was to visit the common loo. Yes! Actually the call was to attend the tomb of my father on his first death anniversary in the neighbouring Bohra cemetery and since the loo at the cemetery was under construction me and family had to make that quick visit to the hospital.
On entering the main lobby, I was flabbergasted by the ambiance which was at par with any five star hotel in Mumbai and felt pride belonging to the community, but at the same time I had that creeping feeling which kept hammering my mind with a question ‘Is the expense justified?’ I never went aloud with that inner question, afraid that it may hurt the religious feelings of my own family members, I felt that the question that popped with an ill feeling was satanic, which was trying to lure me towards an unjustified approach.
The answer to my own disturbing question was answered when my wife’s mammography report showed a suspicious lump. Well since celeb Dr.Muffazal Lakdawala happened to be a family friend, we approached him for biopsy and since he is on the panel at Saifee Hospital she was admitted therefor the biopsy and there after, a month later for another operation to remove the lump altogether, remove the nodes and operate as per the protocol prescribed for breast cancer. Yes! She was diagnosed with breast cancer.
During those two operations, when she was admitted to the hospital and I had to spend a couple of nights by her bedside, I understood the reason for those over indulgent expenses like the chandeliers, the LCD TVs, the central AC, sea facing rooms, etc. All these were to make the trauma lighter for those who accompany the patients.
When you have someone ill at home, it is not just that one person who is undergoing the pain, but the entire family undergoes a trauma –the more dreaded the illness the larger the traumatic influence on those close to the patient. I know that materialism cannot displace emotional feelings, yet it does influence our subconscious mind in a way we human cannot phantom. I know, its hard to believe and agree, but when our eyes see visuals of prosperity our minds get pepped up – don’t we believe in Vastu and Fenshui – I would say the same applies here - at least I believe so.
Coming back to the hospital, well the best part about Saifee Hospital is the hygiene. I know, prior to my dads demise, I had him admitted to a number of hospitals and everyone of them had that acrid smell, a concoction of spirit, detol and phenol.However the same was absolutely missing in Saifee Hospital and yet it was hygienic, not a fly or mosquito in sight. The ward boys were clean as much as the nurses and maids. The nurse are efficient and available round the clock. The hospital does not allow outside food and those accompanying the patients can have so in the canteen on the ground floor which is managed by Monginis(the cake people).
The hospital also has a number of prominent doctors on itspanel and has state of the art facilities and equipment, especially so forsports injuries. The charges of the hospital may sound to be steep, but they are at par with other South Mumbai hospitals like Bombay Hospital, Jaslok, Breach Candy and even the suburban Leelavati and Hiranandani. Yes! My experience with Saifee Hospitalwas satisfactory, I wouldnot have opted to follow an operation to a biopsy if I was not satisfied –would I?
