Dhahan-Kaleran, District SBS Nagar (April 17, 2024) – Guru Nanak Mission Hospital celebrated its 40th year delivering non-profit healthcare to people living in the communities around the village of Dhahan-Kaleran, near Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Phagawara and Nawanshahr, Punjab, on April 17, 2024.
In attendance at its celebratory event were speakers S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly; Dr. Mahil Singh, Principal, Khalsa College; Dr. Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Past Chairperson, Punjab School Board of Education; and Stewart Wheeler, Deputy Canadian High Commissioner to India.
The multidisciplinary healthcare institution opened on April 17, 1984 in what was then a new, community and donor-funded building with just 40 beds. Over the years, service grew to a capacity of 200 beds, with 100 being used on a daily basis today.
The hospital offers several essential healthcare services at rates which are either subsidized, or waived, for low or middle-income patients.
It provides a rural population access to ophthalmology, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and more. It hosts a radiology department with a CT scanner, ultrasound and X-ray machine. Its pathology lab delivers test results critical to diagnosis. Its pharmacy provides convenient access to medicine.
The institution also acts as a teaching hospital for its associated nursing school and paramedical college. The former has a significant history with the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada.
Since its opening, the hospital has spurred economic activity in the area. Local businesses now surround the campus on which the hospital sits. Its parent organization employs roughly 300 people.
“What’s incredible about it is that it started with a dream, and devoted citizens who wanted to uplift the poor and less educated. They didn’t have the attitude of hopelessness. Instead, they took action to change their community, which still affects their children today,” explains Barj S. Dhahan, vice president of Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust (GNMMET), the organization behind the hospital.
Barj Dhahan clarifies that funds to launch the project came from village land donations, as well as monetary contributions from both local and international donors. Many had familial ties to Punjab, but had settled in countries like Canada, USA, the UK and Fiji, among others.
“They understood the need,” explains Barj S. Dhahan. “They could see, in their new home countries, that people could advance if only given the opportunity. In India, at the time, upliftment was near impossible if you were born into a poor family. Many wanted to change that. Healthcare and education was the obvious way out of poverty.”
Barj S. Dhahan, based in Canada, is the son of the organization’s late founder and community leader, Budh Singh Dhahan.
At the anniversary event, the senior Dhahan was acknowledged for his years of service in bringing about and growing the hospital’s services. He was also instrumental in creating Guru Nanak Mission Public School and Guru Nanak College of Nursing – additional non-profit institutions which sit on the same campus as the hospital.
Chief guest S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan said to an audience of over a thousand, “I am proud to say that S. Budh Singh Dhahan was a son of this soil. His remarkable life is an example of what one can do to uplift an entire region.
“…He was a dreamer. He dreamed big dreams. Leaving the comforts of Canada, he returned to build this hospital and launch an educational revolution by pioneering nursing education in Punjab.
“…Today’s celebration is a testament to his enduring belief that we can bring positive change through education and health.”
Special guest Dr. Mahil Singh, in recognizing the founder of GNMMET, noted, “history shows us that in every generation someone is born for a great purpose. With a selfless desire to serve others and hard work, S. Budh Singh Dhahan has been one such individual bringing hope and healing to many.”
Stewart Wheeler, in his speech, said, “this is not just a milestone year, but it is remarkable that the hospital has been instrumental in providing treatment and care to approximately 2 million people during this period.
“…Inspired by the benefits of healthcare and education offered to all citizens in Canada where Mr. Dhahan lived for almost two decades, the hospital is a testament to what can be achieved by learning from one another.”
While addressing Canadian donors who were in attendance, Stewart Wheeler continued, “your philanthropy and your partnership with this strong community is creating a meaningful difference, and this hospital is a living example of that.”
A musical performance and photographic slideshow accompanied guest speeches. In conclusion, GNMMET president Kulvinder Singh Dhahan and Barj S. Dhahan presented plans for ongoing work to improve the services offered by the organization.
In fact, they’ve already begun. In 2023, GNMMET opened Guru Nanak Paramedical College. The goal is to service young people seeking vocational programs in the allied healthcare field, for which personnel are in high demand in India and the world.
Future aspirations include enhancing services to encompass a more fully developed women and childcare centre, diagnostics lab, catheterization lab, diabetes centre plus an eye clinic and teaching institute.
“We have the capacity to execute on our vision, and there is a real, demonstrated need,” explains Barj Dhahan. “But whether or not we will realize our capital projects depends on giving. We hope the inspiring way that people came together in the 80s and 90s will happen again in the next few years.”
GNMMET is actively receiving donations. Those interested can visit the following links:
Within India: https://gnmmet.org/donations/
From Canada: https://www.cies.ca/donate-via-canadahelps/
