Robert’s Nursing Home
– DR. SATISH K. SHUKLA
Chief Editor/Chairman,
Indian Journal of Surgery
Retd. Prof. & Head of Surgery,
M.G.M. Medical College, Indore
Member Management Committee,
Roberts Nursing Home, Indore
A dome of serenity, serving ailing people to relieve their sufferings with humanity, smile and care, is the place known as Robert’s Nursing Home. Founded in 1907 by Sir Robert’s who was the Lt.Col. in British Army as Surgeon posted at Indore to look after the Britishers living in Central India.
Lt. Col. James Robert was appointed the Chief Medical officer, Central India by Viceroy of India Lord Hastings in 1904. He was a trained and qualified surgeon with fellowship of Royal College from London in Surgery. Being a loyal soldier and a surgeon, he earnestly started surgical clinic at his residence now the Residence of the Commissioner and after 2 years shifted to the Red Church Building (1906) where a small operation theatre with other facilities were provided. His devotion got praise from every one in the Central India by his unflinching services. But he always felt need for a good well equipped hospital on the pattern of Army Hospital in U.K. Sisters from the Franciscan Mission of Mhow provided the nursing care to this small hospital starting 1906.
Lt. Col. Robert’s approached Govt. of India and was able to impress the Government of Lordship and official with his work and recommendation by the Central India Agent of Viceroy posted at Indore, got approval of the Govt. of India to start a Hospital with Govt’s grant of Rs.25,000/- and to collect the equal amount from the public. Seth Kastoor Chand who was operated by Col. Roberts gave some amount to H.H. Holkar, who in turn with some more public money gave Rs. 25000/- to the Central India Agent of Govt. of India. The foundation stone of the present building was laid by Her Highness Lady Hastings on 8th November 1912. This was a big occasion for Central India and all the Maharajas of adjoining states participated in the function. On the request of the participant Maharajas of the states, Govt. of India permitted the Maharajas and their families to get treatment in the Hospital. Subsequently the public were allowed the treatment on the recommendation of Chief Medical Officer Sir Robert.
Lt. Col. James Robert was awarded the honour of Sir by the Queen of England, a rare award given to any officer in Central India. He retired from the army in 1930, and joined the Medical Services of His Highness Dewas and served as President Health services of Central India Provinces. He died in 1941 in Srinagar where he went to live a retired life.
The same high Nursing tradition continued by her later successors Mother Veronica (1924-42), M. Augustine (1942-1952), M. Theophane (1952-75). All these Mother’s were from Europe but devoted their life to serve people in India. I had the fortunate time to work with Mother Theophane and still remember her smile, touch of his soft hand, soft spoken words to patients, and amazing gestures to make the atmosphere lively to give feeling to the patient and everyone, as Angel has come to relieve their suffering. I used to do night duties for serious patients of Dr. B.B. Ohri my Mentor an d Mother used to care for me, regarding my food, tea/coffee to my bed and cheer me up in case of patients being serious and encourage not to loose hope and work to our best capacity. I have never seen God, but such a person, an Angel always give you a confidence that GOD is with you only.
Then came the next generation of Nuns of the Mission of Indian Nationality. Sister Josepha was the first to take over in 1975 and worked till 1983. She did worked with M. Theophane and continued same traditions. She is one of the finest person, and a Nurse of high quality I have ever come across in my career.
Sister Handreatta (1983-85), S. Collet (1985-88 and 1991-93), Sister Virginia (1988-91 and 2000-2004) and now sister Archana (2005 continuing) are of same quality of Nurses given everything to serve this abode of God to his creations. In this era it is hard to see such devotion, dedication and SAMARPAN without any obligation.
Dr. B.B. Ohri joined M.G.M. Medical College in 1948 as Prof. of Surgery and started developing department of Surgery. Mr. N.C. Mehta, Senior Govt. Official and Dr. N.M. Bhandari, Director Health Services requested Dr. B.B. Ohri to take care of surgical patients in Roberts Nursing Home as British Surgeon Lt. Col. Left the place
By this time many business houses of the town got associated and donated money to develop Robert’s Nursing Home with high quality of Nursing with the help of the Nurses from Church. Britishers were leaving the town. The trust formed by the Britishers under its, Rules and Byelaws elected Dr. B.B.Ohri as its first India Secretary, in place of Chief Medical Officer/Resident Officer of Central India.
The first Managing Committee of Robert’s Nursing Home with Dr. B.B. Ohri as its Secretary was as following –
– Chairman Sir Siremal Bapna
The Prime Minister of HolkarState
- Secretary – Dr. B.B. Ohri
- Treasurer – Dr. B.B. Ohri
- Members
Robert’s Nursing Home by the time Independence came, already got its name as finest Institution to deliver best of Medical advise with excellent nursing care by Nuns, who were trained in Europe.
The Nuns used to be proficient in total nursing care, emergency services and total primary care of patients including drugs administration and minor surgical procedure whenever needed. The Medical students used to come to the Nursing Home
Lt. Col. F.A. Smith took over as Chairman from Lt. Col. James Robert and Mr. C.R. Loud as Secretary and Mr. W.S. Thompson as Treasurer of the Nursing Home in 1916. The Managing Committee to run the hospital consisted of Chairman/ Secretary/Treasurer from officials of Central India Residency, Representative of H.H. Holkar, Public and one from Donors.
Chair Persons
Lt.Col. Smith (1916-17), Lt.Col. C.E. Coudo (1918-19), MJS Bharkar (1920-22), Lt.Col. W.R. Battye (1923-27), Lt.Col. J.R.J. Tyrell (1928-30), Lt.Col. Gregor (1931), Lt.Col. Nicholson (1932-141), Mr. W.F. Campell (1942-46)
Secretary
H.B. Leovoyd (1916-17), H.V. Bisco (1918-19), K.S. Fitze (1920-22), J.H. Davies (1923), G.F. Squire (1924-25), H.R. Lynch (1926), WFQ Shuldham (1927), R.G. Hinde (1928-29), W.Egeresuire (1930), M.S. Alington (1931-35), A. Napier (1936-41), Dr. R.N. Bhandari (1942-46), Dr. M.K. Choudhary (1947-51), Dr. B.B. Ohri (1952-55)
Treasurer
W.S. Thompaon (1906-16), B. Barves (1916-22), H.L. White (1923-30), Capt. Twelyn (1931-32), Capt. Alban (1933-34), Lt. W. Redrath (1935), V.H.V. French (1936-41), V.N. Singh (1942-46), B.B. Ohri (1947-87)
In 1947 after the Independence Mr. N.C. Mehta took over as Chairman, Dr. R.M. Bhandari, Director of Health Services as Secretary and Mr. V.N. Sing as Treasurer of the Nursing Home.
Dr. B.B. Ohri took over as Treasurer in 1949 till 1957, when he was appointed as Secretary / Treasurer of the Nursing home under Chairmanship of Sir Siremel Bapna the illustrious Prime Minister of Holkar State. Subsequently Regional Commissioner or Senior Govt. Official used to be the Chairman of the Managing Committee by convention. It was Padma Bhushan Dr. S.K. Mukerjee only who was Chairman in the years – 1953-54, 1975-76, 1979-80 and 1988-1990.
Dr. W.B. Thatte was appointed as Jt. secretary of the Nursing Home in 1981. Dr. G.C. Sepaha took over as Treasurer from Dr. B.B. Ohri. in Dr. B.B. Ohri served the Institution from 1949 till his death in 2000 when Dr. G.C. Sepaha took over as Secretary / Treasurers of the Nurisng Home and is still continuing carrying the traditions laid down by so many previous stalwards to serve humanity with truthfullness, upholding the medical ethics.
Robert’s Nursing Home is what today because of hard dedicated and loving care by FRANCISCAN sisters of St. Mary of the Angels, Mhow. The Mission was set up in Mhow to take care of British Families of the officers and other staff members. It was Sir Robert who persuaded the Mission to provide complete Nursing care and take the responsibility of administrating the Nursing Home under the guidance of the Management.
Mother Vincent started working with Lt. Col. James Robert in a clinic at his Residence in 1904, later shifted to present Red Church building (1906), and later on to the present Building till 1924. She was the amazing personality and set up the Nurisng care with high precision devotion with the help of well motivated and trained staff. She controlled the staff to maintain discipline and even Doctors working used to follow her instruction to maintain high tradition of medical care with love and tender care.
to learn basic management of patients and Nursing Care to improve their skills in improving total patients management.
This Nurisng Home was the prime place of all type of Major operation and patients of all types coming from for further places of adjoining states. The Physician and Surgeons during 50’s and 60’s like Dr. B.B. Ohri, Dr. Chamanlal, Dr. B.K. Dhir, Dr. R.P. Dhanda, Dr. Jungalwala, Dr. (Mrs.) Subhalaxmi, Dr. S.K. Mukerjee, Dr. Akbar Ali, Dr. A.C.S. Jain, Dr. G.S. Grewal, Dr. M.L. Bordia were few to names renowned for their high quality knowledge, teaching and clinical care. Rulers of the states, Minister in the Government of M.P. and Rajasthan, High officials of Government, Businessmen and public in general got the services of such renowned surgeons and physician along with gentle and efficient nursing care. There were many serious patients from outside, not getting relief used to be better with gentle and proper Nursing Care and proper Medical Advise.
Nursing Home development is mostly by donations from various business houses and Individuals who were satisfied with its high quality performance, given them new life and new vision. Seth Kastoor Chand was the first to contribute initially in 1912 for matching grant of Rs. 25000, Rai Bahadur Rajya Bhushan Seth Kanhaiyalal Bhandrai got constructed 10 private ward block and Nurses Residence, Seksaria trust renovated the building by donating Rs. 60,000/- in 1964. In 1970, Catholic Mission Constructed a building dispensary for the free treatment of poor patients. Shree R.C. Jall trust donated Rs. 54,000/- for operation theatre equipments in 1975. Again in 1977 R.C. Jall trust donated Rs. 2,22,000/- for a new eight rooms block and one operation theatre. New block of Sister’s Residence was inaugurated in 1982 by public donation of Rs. 2,22,000/- by Shri Arjun Singh Chief Minster of M.P.
Robert’s Nursing Home constructed a Cancer Centre in its premises by public donations with full equipments for Cancer detections and allowed to run by Cancer Care trust in 1994 for specific activity of Cancer Patients Care. The Centre is now with the Nursing Home, for its further development.
Other main developments projects under taken are –
Maternity Services – (1997) – By Rotary Club Rs. 1.85 lacs, Kidney Centre Started by Kidney Foundation with the donation of Mr. Kalsi (1997) – Rs. 6 lacs, I.C.U. (1998-99) and Ramp (2002)- by Mr. Raghuvanshi’s generous donation of Rs. 7.50 lacs. Ambulance – Indian Red Cross Society – (1999) Rs. 3.20 lacs, Physiotherapy Centre – Lions Club Indore Mr. Sukhadwala (2001) Rs. 2 lacs, Laser Unit – CAT (2002) Rs. 3 lacs, Dr. Quarter (2002) Dr. B.B. Ohri Rs. 1.20 lacs, Central Oxygen system State Bank of India (2003) Rs. 3.50 lacs, One Additional O.T. Mr. Vinod Agrawal (2004) Rs. 6 lacs, Additional Dialysis Mr. Hiralal Parikh Charitable Trust (2005) Rs. 1.5 lacs, Respiratory Clinic, Mr. Tillo Jethmalani (2006) Rs. 2 lacs. Road and other beautification -. I.D.A. (2006) Rs. 11.50 lacs
Shree Anand Mohan Mathur, Senior Advocate, Philanthropist, Social Activist, Mentor of many societies to care of Environment, Civic, Amenities, Community Hall and Indore the beautiful project is a man of passion to give back to the society of what he earned from it. His donation of Rs. 15,00,000 (Rs. Fifteen Lacs) in the memory of his mother will see a new building for O.P.D. in the campus soon.
Institutions are not brick and mortar but people working there, who make it a place to worship with divinity. Sir James Robert and Mother Vineet puttheir soul in it and further enhanced the spirit by so many till 1949, when first Indian Dr. B.B. Ohri, poured his heart and skill to raise to a high standard. Further Dr. G.C. Sepaha took over and transformed the vision set by its predecessor to many folds not envisaged even by them. His every word is a lyric composed to comfort the ailing patient and soothen down the staff, mysteriously to work in discipline with care, unheard now in present time anywhere. His personality attracts every one like honey with sweet smile, to enlighten this place, a dual of God in real sense.
History never ends. It has its beginning but flourishes, if people of same thinking, objectives, with passion and devotion serve year by year without conflict of interest. Future is glorious and yet to see the best of it.