The Doctor on a Mission

A doctor par excellence, Dr S S Agarwal is a multi-faced personality – a well-known crusader for social causes, an eminent educationist, philanthropist, a dedicated representatives of the concerns and issues vital for the medical fraternity, and above all a man with an amazing zest for life
By Amresh Kumar Tiwary

Noted physician and currently the National President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), New Delhi, Dr S S Agarwal is a doctor with a healing touch. His life-long mission has been to make healthcare accessible for the masses, and bring a difference in their lives. An MBBS and MD in internal medicine from SMS Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, he is credited with ensuring the delivery of affordable healthcare services in the far-flung rural areas of Rajasthan. Driven by an inspiring vision of Health for All, he charges only a token amount from the patients from the lower strata of the society (as low as Rs 2) for consultation, despite being an eminent doctor with proven global credentials. He always greets patients with a smile on his face and establishes a lasting bond with them.
The hardship and struggles Dr Agarwal faced to get proper medical education in his young days, made him determined to do something qualitatively different for the poor and needy. Born on 9th September 1953, exceptionally determined, passionate and hardworking, Dr S S Agarwal has contributed immensely in strengthening the health infrastructure in the country.
He started the first private ambulance of Rajasthan in 1988 and went on to establish the first private sector blood bank of the state in 1995. In 1997, he started the state’s first Department of Nuclear Medicine with Nuclear Imaging Gamma Camera which revolutionized the oncology field in the state while paving the way for massive advancements in diagnostic medicine. Further in 1998, he opened the first nursing school of the state.
At present,Dr S S Agarwal is the chairman of Jaipur-based Swasthya Kalyan group of institutions (established in 1982) which include blood banks, hospitals, colleges in the domains of engineering, homoeopathy, nursing, physiotherapy, Yoga and naturopathy, polytechnic and industrial training. The campuses of Swasthya Kalyan institutions are spread over Jaipur, Chaksu and Tonk.
Dr Agarwal is consulted by the government of Rajasthan on various new and existing projects in the areas of healthcare and education. He has held the position of President in Medical Practitioners Society and Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Society (Rajasthan), and the post of Chairman in All Rajasthan Private Doctors’ Federation. He is a board member in various universities and member of various government councils. He has been BJP’s National Convener of Medical Cell, Co-Convener of Training Cell, and Organizing Secretary of many state, national and international conferences. After years of being the Honorary Secretary of Indian Medical Association (Rajasthan), in 2008 he was elected the National Vice President of IMA, New Delhi.

Swasthya Kalyan Group of Institutions
According to Dr S S Agarwal, our county is known to be blessed with excellent medical infrastructure, technology and doctors. On one hand, we have highly specialized services such as trauma centers, neonatal units, burn centers and transplant programs available to patients. On the other, we always face shortage of blood. Despite rapid and remarkable progress made by medical science today, there is no way blood can be synthesized. Humans remain the only potential source and so the preciousness of human blood can be easily understood. Swasthya Kalyan Blood Bank, set up by Dr Agarwal, is dedicated to provide excellence in blood Services, i.e. by maintaining the highest levels of quality control and to ensure a safe and dependable blood supply for the community.
Even as Yoga has been gaining popularity across the world, there is a dearth of trained yoga instructors. Keeping this in mind, Swasthya Kalyan Institute of Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences was established in 2007. Recognized by the Government of Rajasthan and affiliated to Maharshi Dayanand University, Ajmer, it provides practical training facilities for students at Lal Kothi, Tonk Road, Jaipur. The Institute offers courses, designed to impart technical aspects of Yoga along with its philosophical and psychological background. The courses are planned in such a way that students are exposed to various aspects of both ancient and modern health science and trained to develop a broad concept of fundamental principles on which Naturopathy and Yogic Science treatments are founded.
The students are given practical sessions to understand the application of principles from the physical, biological, social and behavioural sciences for assessing health status & imparted advanced knowledge in the fields of Naturopathy and Yoga. The courses cover asana, anatomy, therapeutic applications and health benefits of Yoga, nutrition, and philosophy.
Swasthya Kalyan Institute of Medical Technology and Nursing Education was established in the year 1998. Its diploma & degree courses in Nursing are approved by the Govt. of Rajasthan. The institute is affiliated to Rajasthan University of Health Sciences & recognized by Rajasthan Nursing Council and Indian Nursing Council.
Says Dr Agarwal, “A nurse is vital part of the healthcare services, making invaluable contribution to the healing process through the touch of compassion and care. Nurses focus on the needs of the individual, rather than specific illnesses or conditions. They help individuals and their families to live more comfortable lives by providing care, advice and counseling.”
At the institute, nursing personnel are trained to develop professional aptitude and provided necessary theoretical knowledge as well as practical training in nursing in all types of illness. They are imparted skills in management, research and teaching in nursing as well as guidance and counselling of patients. The students are trained in recognizing and interpreting intelligently the physical, and mental and emotional manifestation of illness and to plan nursing care to patients on the basis of their individual needs. Building up moral and ethical values and evidence based practice with regard to nursing, they are trained to work in mutual co-operation with medical and para-medical personnel and to purposefully participate in various programmes for the prevention of diseases and for the promotion of health in the community.
Homoeopathy is the fastest growing system of medicine in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Homoeopathy to be the second-most used medical system internationally. It has the capacity to get to the root cause of illness, and is a complete healing system within itself and since its inception.
Swasthya Kalyan Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Centre was established in the year 2002. The Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery (BHMS) course offered by the institution is a full time course with the aim to produce competent, confident, caring Homoeopaths who become an asset to the profession. The college is approved by Govt. of Rajasthan, recognized by the Central Council of Homoeopathy(CCH), New Delhi and affiliated to Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur. The campus has the biggest (build-up area) among the private Homoeopathic colleges in the country.
This institution, set up with the prime objective of promoting and providing education and research in the field of Homoeopathy, aims to provide students with a solid foundation based on therapeutic principles together with the incorporation of modern concepts. Aided by extensive clinical orientation through live clinical workshops, students learn to relate well to patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.
The Journey Continues…
Dr Agarwal has been in the forefront of creating a strong inter & intra-organizational support system for the medical practitioners across the country. Significantly, he has been a medical activist since his residency years when he was the president of Rajasthan Association of Resident Doctors.
His other notable associations include: member, Indian Red Cross Society Managing Body, New Delhi; member, Medical Tourism & Wellness Board, Union Ministry of Tourism; member, Central Council of Health & Family Welfare-MOPFW; and member of Rajasthan Medical Council. He is trustee of International Network for Cancer Treatment & Research (INCTR) in official relation with WHO.
Dr Agarwal has travelled worldwide to more than 25 countries for various conferences and paper presentations. He has to his credit more than 100 papers and publications in national & international journals, dailies and magazines and has given more than 1000 lectures at different forums across the country. He has received numerous awards and felicitations. In 2001, he was awarded a cash prize with appreciation certificate by the Governor of Rajasthan on the occasion of Republic Day for his exemplary social services. He has also received National ISBTI Award and many lifetime achievement awards by various organizations across the world. And, he is determined to achieve many more milestones in his life and career.