Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, located in Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, is a renowned for-profit private medical institution. It offers a wide range of healthcare services to patients across Southeast Asia. The hospital’s Minimal Access Surgery department holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in South Asia.
A statue of Sir Ganga Ram can be seen at the hospital, which also plays a key role in medical education by providing training to young doctors through the Diplomate in National Board (DNB) program. Launched in 1984, the DNB program at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is the largest of its kind in India. Additionally, the hospital is home to India’s first bone bank.
The hospital was one of the first large hospitals in Delhi to join the AB-PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) program, which it did on March 29, 2019.
Historical Background: The origins of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital date back to 1921, when it was first established in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan) by Sir Ganga Ram, a respected civil engineer and philanthropist. After the Partition of India in 1947, the hospital relocated to New Delhi on an 11-acre plot. The foundation stone of the new hospital was laid by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in April 1951, and it was officially inaugurated on April 13, 1954. Dharma Vira, the son-in-law of Sir Ganga Ram, is credited as the chief architect and founder of the hospital in Delhi.
In the 1970s, the hospital faced a financial crisis and was on the brink of closure. However, in 1981, Dr. K.C. Mahajan, a prominent general surgeon, took over as Chairman of the Board of Management. Under his leadership, the hospital underwent a major restructuring, which included the establishment of the Mahajan Imaging Diagnostics Centre. The hospital then shifted its focus to a more profitable model while maintaining high standards of service, including in its renowned canteen.
Dr. S.K. Bhandari, a respected figure in the field of gynecology and obstetrics, founded the hospital’s gynecology department and dedicated 58 years of his life to it. He is known for having delivered prominent figures, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and their children. Dr. Bhandari passed away at the age of 86 due to heart failure and complications from COVID-19.
The legacy of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is one of innovation in healthcare and a commitment to both quality treatment and education.