The new Seth Faramroze Gotla Wing of The Dorabji Nanabhoy Mehta Sarvajanik Hospital (DNMSH) in Navsari was inaugurated on January 15, 2017, comprising a 16-bed ICU (intensive care unit), new CT (computerized tomography) scan unit, OPD (outpatients’ department) and Trauma Ward. Known as the "Parsee Hospital,” DNMSH celebrated its 103rd anniversary on January 17, 2017 with a simple cake cutting ceremony organized by staffers, notes an email received by Parsiana from Dinshaw Tamboly, trustee of the Hospital.
(Top): New wing of The D. N. Mehta Sarvajanik Hospital, Navsari; (above) CT scan machine
(Clockwise from top l): Zarine and Farrokh Mehta with Dr Madhulika Naik inaugurating OPD;
Amy and Noshirwan Bulsara opening Zarine Sarkari CT scan unit; bust of Tehmina Sooi;
Sam Sooi and sisters inaugurating ICU
Located on the second floor of the new wing, The Late Tehmina and Jehangirji S. Sooi ICU Unit, funded by their children Sam, Freny, Katy and Dolly, is equipped with instruments using the latest technology conforming to international standards, including four isolated rooms for burns, dialysis and infected cases, states the email. The Late Zarine Neville Sarkari CT Scan Unit on the first floor was donated in her memory by Neville Homi Sarkari of the USA and has a 16 slice CT scan machine from Siemens Limited that offers facilities at moderate rates. The ground floor houses the Late Jashwantrai Lalbhai Naik OPD and Trauma Ward donated by Dr Madhulika Naik in memory of her husband. It has nine OPD consultation rooms in addition to the trauma center.
The total cost of the new wing was Rs 5,75,00,000, of which Rs 3,30,00,000 was received by way of donations and the balance, Rs 2,45,00,000, was used from the Hospital’s reserve fund. The Hospital is managed by a board of trustees — Farrokh Mehta, Malcolm Mehta, Dinyar Mehta, Dara Deboo, Freny Goiporia and Tamboly — assisted by a managing committee comprising Rohinton Contractor, Cyrus Vandriwala, Aspi Ambapardiwala, Sharmin Tamboly and Jimmy Mehta, states the email.
Established on January 15, 1915 as a lying-in hospital with a 44-bed capacity catering to the needs of the Parsi community alone, it has evolved into a cosmopolitan 136-bed multispecialty hospital with departments of medicine, surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, ENT (ear, nose throat), pediatrics, pathology, radiology, dialysis, ICU, dentistry as well as its own cardiac ambulance and morgue, lists the email. When the Parsi population began to decline, the farsighted trustees converted the institution into a "sarvajanik (cosmopoliton)” hospital, though there is a special ward for Parsis where patients receive treatment at subsidized rates. The DNMSH recently joined hands with Parzor Foundation and the WZO Trust Funds to provide cashless treatment to Parsis of southern Gujarat under the government funded Jiyo Parsi program.
During fiscal year 2015-16 the Hospital provided financial subsidies amounting to Rs 38,00,000 from their Poor Patients’ Relief Fund. The management appeals to charitable institutions and individuals to extend support to its efforts in providing quality service to all without distinction of color, caste or creed. Cheques drawn in favor of "The D. N. Mehta Sarvajanik Hospital” may be sent to the Hospital at J. N. Tata Marg, Lunsikui, Navsari 396445. Donations are eligible for exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act 1961.