The Pride of Gujarat - 8
Nothing is Impossible with Determination: Dr. Lata Desai
(A succinct story by Ishvar Prajapati
English version by Pallavi Gupta)
Rather than pursuing a life of comfort and affluence in the United States, Dr. Lata Desai chose to dedicate her entire life to uplifting the poor and needy.
Nothing is impossible for the human will! With unwavering determination, one can even make a garden bloom in a barren desert. Dr. Lata Desai, forsaking the opulent American lifestyle, dedicated her entire life to uplifting the lives of indigenous people in remote areas.
Let's delve deeper into the inspiring journey of 'Seva Rural Organisation, an organization dedicated to serving these remote communities, and its founder, PadmaShri Dr. Lata Desai. Her unwavering commitment to service has ignited a beacon of hope in these remote regions.
Born into a family of freedom fighters on 8 August 1941, she lost her father at the age of just three years. Facing countless hurdles along life's journey, Dr. Lata Desai, a 1965 graduate of BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad, persevered with unwavering determination. She transformed every obstacle into an opportunity, climbing higher and higher. It was during her time at this esteemed institution that she met her future husband, Dr. Anil Desai.
A Call to Serve the Nation:*
Inspired by a call to duty following the 1965 Indo-Pak war, she and her husband, Dr. Anil, felt a deep-rooted desire to serve their nation. Thus, they both enlisted in the armed forces, where they dedicated a year and a half as Captain and Medical Officer, respectively. Subsequently, they returned to academia to pursue postgraduate studies in Pediatrics and General Surgery. Their quest for higher education led them to the United States, where they resided from 1971 to 1979. Despite the allure of a comfortable life in America, they chose to heed the call of their motherland. Driven by a profound sense of duty, they returned to India to serve the underprivileged in remote areas.
Turning Down Comfort for a Cause:*
Returning from the USA in 1980 with a renewed commitment to serving their country, they founded the voluntary organization 'Jhagadia Sewa Rural'. Even today, this region lacks adequate basic amenities. The mere thought of the conditions in this area four decades ago is chilling. To address the critical need for medical care and education among the impoverished people of this region, they dedicated themselves to this cause.
*SEWA Rural: Transforming Lives for Four Decades*
Having earned advanced degrees in medicine in the United States, Dr. Lata Desai and her husband, Dr. Anil Desai, returned to their homeland with a profound commitment to serving the underprivileged. In the rural town of Jhagadia, they founded SEWA Rural 40 years ago, a pioneering organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of marginalized communities.
Dr. Anil Desai, a steadfast companion to Dr. Lata Desai, who was honored with the Padma Shri award, passed away a few years ago. However, SEWA Rural's mission to empower future generations and enhance healthcare, education, and employment opportunities in tribal areas has remained unwavering. Despite the loss of her husband, Dr. Lata Desai continues to lead this noble endeavor.
Under Dr. Lata Desai's visionary leadership, SEWA Rural operates a 200-bed Kasturba Hospital that provides high-quality medical care at affordable rates, often free of charge, to countless villagers. With a dedicated staff of 300, the organization offers a wide range of services including maternal health care, eye care, the Vivekananda Rural Technology Center, and rehabilitation programs for the visually impaired. Dr. Desai has personally treated thousands of indigent patients pro bono.
A Padma Shri awardee, Dr. Desai has devoted her life to serving the marginalized, including tribal communities, alongside her late husband. Despite receiving this prestigious honor, she humbly attributes her success to her dedicated team, stating, "This award does not belong to me alone. It is a testament to the hard work of my life partner and all the staff members associated with us. I am merely an instrument of their service".
The 250-bed hospital provides round-the-clock services in maternal and child health, ophthalmology, non-communicable diseases, and general surgery to surrounding villages. A team of 25 medical professionals, including consultants, resides in Jhagadia village. Annually, the hospital caters to over 200,000 patients. Notably, 70% of inpatients receive treatment free of charge. The hospital’s mission is to offer ‘state-of-the-art healthcare for the underprivileged.’ SEWA Rural, with its 300-strong workforce, has been recognized as a ‘Great Place to Work for Women’ by the Great Place to Work Institute.
SEWA Rural: A Catalyst for Change:
SEWA Rural has demonstrated a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals in rural India. Key achievements include:
* A significant reduction in infant mortality rate from 186 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1982 to 25 today in tribal areas.
* A 75% decrease in maternal mortality rate over the past two decades within the project area.
* Over 2.5 million patients have received affordable or free healthcare services in the last 40 years.
* More than 125,000 individuals have regained their vision through various eye surgeries performed at SEWA Rural since 1980.
* Two tribal blocks, Valia and Jhagadia, have been declared cataract-free.
* Over 3,500 impoverished families have been lifted out of poverty through skill development and employment initiatives.
* The organization has trained over 26,000 individuals from 150 institutions both nationally and internationally.
* Inspired by Dr. Lata and Dr. Anil Desai, many young people have dedicated their lives to national development.
SEWA Rural has been recognized with over 35 awards for its outstanding contributions.
International Recognition:
SEWA Rural has garnered international recognition for its pioneering work in community health. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva bestowed the Sasakawa Health Prize upon SEWA Rural in 1985, acknowledging its innovative community health initiatives. In 2007, the prestigious MacArthur Award recognized SEWA Rural's groundbreaking efforts in saving the lives of mothers and children in India. Moreover, the WHO conferred its inaugural "Public Health Champion" award on SEWA Rural in 2015.
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