Grant Government Medical College celebrates a legacy of 180 years
The proposal, made in March 1838 by Grant, was approved by the British Government, but unfortunately, the news of its sanction arrived in India nine days after Grant's death at Dapodi, Pune.
Conceived by Sir Robert Grant, then Governor of the Bombay Presidency, the iconic institution was envisioned to train native Indians in modern medicine. Notably, Rs 44,000 was raised through crowdfunding for its construction.
Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) One of South Asia's oldest medical institutions, Grant Government Medical College (GMC) aka Sir J.J. Hospital, turned 180 on May 15, marking nearly two centuries of pioneering contributions to medical education and research in India.
A memorial meeting in Mumbai led by civic leader Jagannath Shankarsheth commemorated Grant's vision. It was here that he proposed naming the upcoming medical college after Sir Grant. Philanthropist Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy contributed Rs 1 lakh to construct a hospital to accompany the college.
An additional Rs 44,000 was raised through crowdfunding—an early example of community-supported public healthcare, recalled Dr. Rewat Kaninde, a devoted chronicler and alumnus of GMC.
Known as the centre of excellence in medical education, research, and patient care in Central India, the Grant Government Medical College and Sir J J Hospital is the alma mater for thousands of doctors.
The foundation stone for the hospital was laid on January 3, 1843, and the 'School of Practice' began functioning on May 15, 1845.
The college building's foundation was laid on March 30, 1843, with its construction completed by October of the same year, ushering in a new era in healthcare and medical education.
Spread over 44 acres, the 2,800-bed Sir J.J. Hospital now serves more than 12 lakh outpatients and 80,000 inpatients annually, drawing patients from across Maharashtra and neighbouring states.
'Sir Grant had come up with the suggestion that native Indians should learn modern medicine. He discussed the concept with his physician surgeon and wrote to the then British Government in March 1838.
'The proposal was approved. Unfortunately, the news about the sanction reached India nine days after Grant died at Dapodi,' Dr Kaninde said.
In 1893, world-renowned bacteriologist Waldemar Haffkine developed the first vaccine against bubonic plague within the college's premises—a breakthrough that saved millions.
His research, conducted in room '000' of what is now the Blood Bank building, was pivotal during the early response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The room was later converted into the Laboratory of Scientific Medical Research on February 17, 1891, and today serves as a Pharmacology lecture hall for second-year MBBS students, Dr Kaninde said.
The college also hosted the pathbreaking research of Dr. Robert Koch on Vibrio cholerae, further cementing its status as a hub of medical advancement.
Dr. Pallavi Sapale, Joint Director of Medical Education and Research and the first woman dean of GMC, highlighted the institution's groundbreaking legacy.
'Grant Medical College was the first institution to open doors for Western medicine training for Indians 180 years ago. It's known for many firsts—procedures like laparoscopy and neuro-endoscopy were conducted here for the first time,' she told PTI.
She noted that the Grant Medical College was the first institution to open the doors for Western medicine training for Indians 180 years ago.
An alumna of Grant Medical College, Dr Saple credited the institution for shaping her training and career as a paediatrician.
'Professors, students, and patients taught us a lot. We owe our achievements to them,' she added.
GMC's distinguished alumni include luminaries such as Dr. Vithal Nagesh Shirodkar, a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist, and Dr. Jivraj Narayan Mehta, the first Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Dr Kaninde, who has been working at the GMC for the past 19 years, rued the absence of individuals who can emotionally identify themselves with the medical institution. PTI DC NSK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
32 minutes ago
- Hans India
Mask up Telangana
Hyderabad: In the wake of a spike in the Covid cases and 26 deaths so far in the country, health experts in the city have cautioned common people to wear masks for at least four weeks. Dr Madap Karuna, consultant at EMRI Green Health Services, who deals with preventive healthcare, stressed on masking up. She said that there were many unreported Covid cases in Telangana as a few of the fellow doctors were mentioning. Karuna said that people need to wear masks for at least four weeks in crowded places, hospitals and diagnostic centres. 'If you have fever, cough, cold, please wear a mask to protect your family, colleagues and near and dear,' said Dr Karuna. According to the dashboard of the Union Health Ministry, there were close to 4,000 positive cases in the country. The total positivity rate was 0.2 per 1 lakh population and the total fatality rate was at 0.8 per 100 cases. The Kerala state alone accounts for 42.3 per cent of total active cases. Maharashtra follows with 15.6 per cent, Delhi (294 cases) and Gujarat (223) together making up 19 per cent of the total burden. The South Indian states (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) together account for over 58 per cent of all cases. Maharashtra reported the highest number of deaths (7), accounting for nearly 32 per cent of the total deaths followed by Kerala with 5 deaths (23 per cent), Delhi and Karnataka each reported 2 deaths, jointly contributing 18 per cent. Dr Karuna further said that the government alone can't control, and the public should oblige with precautions. 'These illnesses can be controlled if we become alert when we see fumes, not when we see fire. Most important antibiotic abuse for these viral infections can be stopped by knowing the case pattern in our surroundings," she explained. Concurring with her views, Dr Kiran Madhala from the Telangana State chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), said that following precautions was always a better option. He said that after May 2025, a total of 72 Covid-19 genome sequences were recorded in the country. Among these, the JF.7.9 variant accounted for the highest proportion, comprising 25 sequences or approximately 34.72 per cent. The XFG variant followed closely with 24 sequences (33.33 per cent), and the XFJ variant was found in 15 sequences (20.83 per cent). The JN.1 variant appeared in two sequences (2.78 per cent), while the remaining six sequences (8.33 per cent) were classified as others.
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Think Rs 5 lakh health insurance is enough? Here's why only a Rs 1 crore health customised cover is likely to be sufficient
Getty Images Hiking your insurance cover from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore does not imply that your premiums are also going to jump up significantly. In India's fast-changing healthcare landscape, medical costs are rising faster than income, inflation, and expectations. While advanced treatments are improving, they also bring growing financial pressure on individuals and families unprepared for emergencies. Most Indian households today are well aware of health risks from lifestyle diseases, the environment, and longer lifespans. Yet, financial preparedness, especially via health insurance, lags. We still treat insurance premiums as a commodity cost. We search for the lowest number, equating affordability with adequacy. In reality, the cheapest policy may be the most expensive mistake. Cracking the premium code in 2025 demands a rethink of what health insurance means, what it should deliver, and how we must align it with the new economics of look at the numbers. Over the past decade, the cost of hospitalisation, advanced procedures, and even routine diagnostics has climbed dramatically. Heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and critical care interventions now routinely cross the Rs.30-40 lakh mark. Cataract surgery, once considered minor, can now cost over 1 lakh in a top hospital. These are indicators of a structural shift in healthcare pricing, driven by better medical technology, global standards of care, and increasing demand. At the same time, medical inflation in India has consistently hovered at 13-14% annually—double the pace of general inflation and far beyond the wage growth for most Indians. Some years, it has surged as high as 20%. This is not a spike; it's a trend. Over the past decade, the cost of major medical procedures has surged. A kidney transplant that cost around Rs.5 lakh in 2013 now exceeds Rs.18 lakh. A heart transplant, in some cases, can cost up to Rs.34 lakh. In this context, insurance covers of Rs.3-5 lakh are no longer adequate; they reflect an outdated cost structure. If we continue to treat premiums as just another line item in our budgets, rather than a bulwark against financial distress, we will continue to be caught unprepared. Rising cost of critical care over the years Therefore, a Rs.1 crore health cover isn't a luxury; it's the new normal. It reflects the real cost of care today and anticipates the increasing complexity of medical interventions tomorrow. It is not just about critical illness. It's about diagnostics, consultations, follow-ups, mental health services, pre- and post-hospitalisation costs, and the growing expectation of quality care across every touchpoint. The comprehensive nature of healthcare today demands comprehensive financial coverage— and a rebalancing of what consumers consider 'adequate.'The good news is that increasing your health cover from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore doesn't mean your premium will go up 10 times. For a young couple in their mid-30s, a Rs.1 crore plan can cost around Rs.2,000 to Rs.2,500 per month— only about 10-15% more than a Rs.10 lakh policy, but with much stronger protection. The urgency of higher coverage is also reflected in how claim trends are shifting. In 2024-25, heart-related claims made up nearly 20% of total health insurance claims, up from around 10% five years earlier. Also, the average claim size for such cases has surged from Rs.4-5 lakh in 2019-20 to Rs.14-17 lakh today. Interestingly, the industry is evolving to match the shift. Insurers are designing more inclusive products, offering higher coverage limits, cashless treatments across wider hospital networks, and support services that extend well beyond hospitalisation. The market is responding not just to rising claims but to changing consumer alone are not enough. There is a growing responsibility for all stakeholders to reframe the consumers' approach to insurance. Premiums should be viewed as investments in resilience. Higher coverage should be encouraged. The long-term value of insurance must be placed front and centre, not just its annual price also a macroeconomic angle to this conversation. A financially unprepared population facing unpredictable health costs creates downstream effects: reduced productivity, increased household debt, and rising pressure on public health infrastructure. In a country where out-of-pocket healthcare spending still forms a major share of total expenditure, underinsurance is not just a personal risk; it's a systemic one. By helping more people access meaningful protection, we are safeguarding households and reducing the social costs of delayed or inadequate the premium code, then, is not about finding the lowest number. It's about asking the right questions: Will this coverage hold up five years from now? Can this policy support me through a complex medical episode? Does it enable me to act early and decisively when a health issue arises?India is on the cusp of a healthcare transformation, but for it to be inclusive, we must build financial resilience into the very design of that journey. That begins by treating the premium not as a price, but as a promise. The Auhtor is JOINT GROUP CEO, PB FINTECH
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Think Rs 5 lakh health insurance is enough? Here's why only a Rs 1 crore health customised cover is likely to be sufficient
Hiking your insurance cover from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore does not imply that your premiums are also going to jump up significantly. Medical inflation in India has consistently hovered at 13-14% annually—double the pace of general inflation and far beyond the wage growth for most Indians. Some years, it has surged as high as 20%. This is not a spike; it's a trend. Having a minimum health cover of at least Rs 1 crore is essential in today's day and age. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Old playbook won't work Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Customised products Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of .) In India's fast-changing healthcare landscape, medical costs are rising faster than income, inflation, and expectations. While advanced treatments are improving, they also bring growing financial pressure on individuals and families unprepared for Indian households today are well aware of health risks from lifestyle diseases, the environment, and longer lifespans. Yet, financial preparedness, especially via health insurance , still treat insurance premiums as a commodity cost. We search for the lowest number, equating affordability with adequacy. In reality, the cheapest policy may be the most expensive mistake. Cracking the premium code in 2025 demands a rethink of what health insurance means, what it should deliver, and how we must align it with the new economics of look at the numbers. Over the past decade, the cost of hospitalisation, advanced procedures, and even routine diagnostics has climbed dramatically. Heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and critical care interventions now routinely cross the Rs.30-40 lakh mark. Cataract surgery, once considered minor, can now cost over 1 lakh in a top are indicators of a structural shift in healthcare pricing , driven by better medical technology, global standards of care, and increasing demand. At the same time, medical inflation in India has consistently hovered at 13-14% annually—double the pace of general inflation and far beyond the wage growth for most Indians. Some years, it has surged as high as 20%. This is not a spike; it's a the past decade, the cost of major medical procedures has surged. A kidney transplant that cost around Rs.5 lakh in 2013 now exceeds Rs.18 lakh. A heart transplant, in some cases, can cost up to Rs.34 lakh. In this context, insurance covers of Rs.3-5 lakh are no longer adequate; they reflect an outdated cost structure. If we continue to treat premiums as just another line item in our budgets, rather than a bulwark against financial distress , we will continue to be caught a Rs.1 crore health cover isn't a luxury; it's the new normal. It reflects the real cost of care today and anticipates the increasing complexity of medical interventions tomorrow. It is not just about critical illness. It's about diagnostics, consultations, follow-ups, mental health services, pre- and post-hospitalisation costs, and the growing expectation of quality care across every touchpoint. The comprehensive nature of healthcare today demands comprehensive financial coverage— and a rebalancing of what consumers consider 'adequate.'The good news is that increasing your health cover from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.1 crore doesn't mean your premium will go up 10 times. For a young couple in their mid-30s, a Rs.1 crore plan can cost around Rs.2,000 to Rs.2,500 per month— only about 10-15% more than a Rs.10 lakh policy, but with much stronger urgency of higher coverage is also reflected in how claim trends are shifting. In 2024-25, heart-related claims made up nearly 20% of total health insurance claims , up from around 10% five years earlier. Also, the average claim size for such cases has surged from Rs.4-5 lakh in 2019-20 to Rs.14-17 lakh the industry is evolving to match the shift. Insurers are designing more inclusive products, offering higher coverage limits, cashless treatments across wider hospital networks, and support services that extend well beyond hospitalisation. The market is responding not just to rising claims but to changing consumer alone are not enough. There is a growing responsibility for all stakeholders to reframe the consumers' approach to insurance. Premiums should be viewed as investments in resilience. Higher coverage should be encouraged. The long-term value of insurance must be placed front and centre, not just its annual price also a macroeconomic angle to this conversation. A financially unprepared population facing unpredictable health costs creates downstream effects: reduced productivity, increased household debt, and rising pressure on public health infrastructure. In a country where out-of-pocket healthcare spending still forms a major share of total expenditure, underinsurance is not just a personal risk; it's a systemic one. By helping more people access meaningful protection, we are safeguarding households and reducing the social costs of delayed or inadequate the premium code, then, is not about finding the lowest number. It's about asking the right questions: Will this coverage hold up five years from now? Can this policy support me through a complex medical episode? Does it enable me to act early and decisively when a health issue arises?India is on the cusp of a healthcare transformation, but for it to be inclusive, we must build financial resilience into the very design of that journey. That begins by treating the premium not as a price, but as a promise.
