Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: In a transformative and much-needed step for Kolkata’s evolving healthcare landscape, a remarkable partnership has emerged between Gurudwara Sant Kutiya and the Liver Foundation West Bengal (LFWB).
This collaboration has been launched with the goal of reviving the long-defunct Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, located on DL Khan Road, a once-prominent medical facility that had ceased operations over a decade ago.
The hospital, which had been lying dormant since 2012, was officially inaugurated with renewed purpose and vision on World Health Day, symbolizing not only a new beginning for the institution itself but also a broader commitment to strengthening healthcare access in the city. The revival of this hospital is not merely an infrastructural overhaul; it reflects a deeper convergence of medical excellence, community service, and social responsibility.
The facility is set to begin with multispecialty outpatient department (OPD) services and a day care unit, offering accessible, quality consultations and treatments across multiple medical disciplines. These services are expected to cater to a wide cross-section of the local population, particularly those from underprivileged or underserved backgrounds. What makes this initiative even more significant is its phased approach — after stabilizing OPD and day care operations, the plan is to gradually roll out inpatient services and other advanced diagnostic and therapeutic care, thereby transforming the site into a fully functional community hospital once again.
The vision is clear: to build a modern, compassionate, and community-driven medical institution rooted in both professional expertise and the Sikh principles of sewa (selfless service). This partnership is being viewed by public health advocates as a potential model for other religious and civil society organizations across India looking to make meaningful contributions to the healthcare sector.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: Historical Background of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital
The story of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital is deeply rooted in the values of community service, compassion, and faith-driven healthcare. Established nearly forty years ago, the hospital was the brainchild of the Gurudwara Sant Kutiya, a revered Sikh religious and social institution in Kolkata known for its philanthropic activities. Motivated by the Sikh principle of “Sarbat da Bhala” — the welfare of all — the gurudwara leadership envisioned a healthcare facility that would serve not only the Sikh community but also people from all religious, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
This vision culminated in the founding of the Guru Tegh Bahadur Medical Service Centre & Hospital, located in the heart of the city on DL Khan Road, a location strategically chosen to maximize reach and accessibility.
When it first opened its doors, the hospital functioned as a 35-bed facility, providing a combination of outpatient services (OPD) and inpatient care, covering a range of basic medical needs.
At a time when Kolkata’s government healthcare infrastructure was overburdened and private hospitals were unaffordable for many, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital became a critical lifeline, especially for low-income families and marginalized communities. Patients flocked to the facility not just for its medical treatment but also for the atmosphere of empathy and dignity it offered. Volunteer doctors, nurses, and support staff—many of whom were connected to the gurudwara—played a key role in sustaining daily operations.
However, despite its noble beginnings and impactful service, the hospital gradually began to suffer from internal management challenges over the years. Issues such as lack of modern equipment, insufficient funding, staffing shortages, and administrative hurdles made it increasingly difficult to keep the facility running smoothly.
Efforts were made to seek external partnerships and governmental support, but without consistent backing, operations became unsustainable. By 2012, the hospital was forced to shut down, leaving the premises largely unused and the community without an essential healthcare provider. This sudden closure created a glaring void in accessible, affordable, and trusted healthcare services in the surrounding area, particularly affecting the elderly, chronically ill, and economically disadvantaged.
The closure of the hospital was seen by many as a loss not just of a physical healthcare facility, but of a beacon of hope and humanity that had touched thousands of lives over the decades. For over ten years, the hospital building stood as a silent reminder of what once was—a place of healing, service, and community strength—waiting to be brought back to life with renewed purpose. This historical context makes its present-day revival all the more meaningful, as it represents not just the reopening of doors, but the reawakening of a legacy of service that had long been interrupted.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: The Revival Initiative
The resurrection of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital marks a watershed moment in community-driven healthcare in Kolkata. After more than a decade of dormancy, the facility is finally on the path to recovery thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration between Gurudwara Sant Kutiya and the Liver Foundation West Bengal (LFWB).
This partnership is more than just a professional arrangement; it is a powerful coming together of faith-based service values and medical expertise. The objective is clear — to breathe new life into a once-vital institution that had been forced into silence due to systemic difficulties and operational breakdowns. Now, with renewed commitment and a structured roadmap, both organizations are working in tandem to restore the hospital not just to its former glory, but to elevate it to new standards of modern, affordable, and inclusive healthcare.
At the heart of this initiative is Avtar Singh, the General Secretary of Gurudwara Sant Kutiya, whose leadership and vision have played a pivotal role in steering the revival process. Speaking on the occasion of the hospital’s soft reopening, Singh conveyed deep gratitude toward LFWB for accepting the call to collaborate on such a socially significant project. He emphasized that the partnership is rooted in a shared commitment to community welfare, where the aim is not profit or prestige, but to restore patient-centric care services that serve people with dignity and compassion, irrespective of their background or financial capability.
This initiative is also deeply symbolic for the Sikh community and the larger public that once relied on the hospital. For the members of Gurudwara Sant Kutiya, the hospital has always been more than bricks and mortar; it is a manifestation of “sewa”, the Sikh ethos of selfless service. Reviving the hospital is a way to honor that spirit and fulfill the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur, whose name the institution proudly bears.
According to Singh, restarting the medical facility was a long-standing aspiration of the gurudwara committee, but they needed the right partner—an organization that not only brought clinical expertise but also aligned with their humanitarian and ethical values. That partner emerged in LFWB, known for its extensive grassroots health initiatives and deep understanding of public health needs in West Bengal.
For LFWB, the project offered a unique opportunity to extend its mission of equity in healthcare. The organization has a strong track record of establishing and running rural and urban health programs focused on liver and digestive health, but its leadership recognized the potential of this collaboration to create a model healthcare hub in the heart of Kolkata. The decision to join hands with Gurudwara Sant Kutiya was based not just on the facility’s location or history, but on the shared vision for sustainable and ethical healthcare delivery.
The revival is being executed in phases to ensure both quality and continuity. The first phase includes restoring multispecialty outpatient departments (OPD) and launching a day care unit to handle minor procedures, diagnostics, and consultations. These services are being meticulously planned to include general medicine, hepatology, gastroenterology, diabetes care, and internal medicine, among others. This phased strategy ensures that infrastructure is strengthened, staff is well-trained, and operations are stabilized before scaling up to inpatient care, emergency services, and surgical departments in future phases.
Beyond the medical services, the revival also involves significant investment in infrastructure modernization, new diagnostic equipment, digital recordkeeping, and patient-centric service delivery models. The collaboration reflects a forward-looking approach where the rich heritage of the hospital meets modern-day technology and efficient healthcare delivery systems.
In many ways, this initiative is being seen as a blueprint for future collaborations between faith-based institutions and health NGOs. It showcases how shared values and community engagement can lead to the revival of defunct or underutilized public assets. With the combined willpower of Gurudwara Sant Kutiya’s spiritual community and LFWB’s medical leadership, the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital is now poised to re-emerge as a center of hope, healing, and holistic care.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: Role of Liver Foundation West Bengal
At the heart of the revitalization of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital lies the visionary contribution of the Liver Foundation West Bengal (LFWB) — a highly respected non-profit health organization known for its extensive work in public health, rural healthcare delivery, liver disease awareness, and medical research. Established with the mission to promote equitable access to healthcare, LFWB has long been a key player in bridging the gap between quality medical services and underserved communities across the state. Its involvement in this project is not just administrative or symbolic; it is deeply strategic, operational, and mission-driven.
Recognizing the pressing need to revive a community hospital with a rich legacy and deep local roots, LFWB stepped in as the medical and technical partner to oversee and implement a phased redevelopment plan. With decades of experience in setting up sustainable healthcare delivery systems, especially in challenging and resource-scarce environments, LFWB brought to the table a wealth of expertise that was crucial in breathing life back into a hospital that had remained shut for over a decade.
Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, Secretary of LFWB, has played a central role in orchestrating this transformation. In public statements and media interactions, Mukherjee has repeatedly emphasized that the foundation sees this project as part of its larger commitment to community-based healthcare systems that are inclusive, accessible, and high in clinical quality. He has spoken at length about the strategic steps taken to modernize the hospital infrastructure, stating that state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment have already been installed to support the first phase of outpatient and day care services.
These include advanced ultrasound machines, digital X-ray systems, pathology labs, and non-invasive liver diagnostics, ensuring that patients are not only treated with compassion but also with clinical precision.
Importantly, LFWB is also driving the staffing and medical governance framework for the hospital. Doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrative staff are being trained under protocols that the foundation has developed and refined over the years through its work in both urban clinics and rural health camps. The goal is to ensure that patient care at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital meets national standards while retaining a community-friendly, human-first approach. The Liver Foundation has also introduced electronic health records (EHRs) for more efficient case management and patient follow-up — a key step toward digitizing medical services in a way that increases both access and accountability.
In addition to medical operations, LFWB is contributing to community outreach, awareness campaigns, and preventive healthcare initiatives that will soon be rolled out in neighborhoods surrounding the hospital. These programs are designed to educate people about liver health, lifestyle diseases, hygiene practices, vaccinations, and regular health checkups, with a focus on preventive care to reduce the burden on tertiary services. This is in line with the foundation’s philosophy that healthcare should not begin at the hospital gate, but rather through sustained community engagement and education.
From a funding and sustainability perspective, LFWB is also working on multi-stakeholder partnerships involving local businesses, philanthropic donors, and CSR initiatives to ensure that the hospital does not again fall into disrepair due to financial instability. The foundation has experience working with both governmental and private partners and is confident that a hybrid public-private-community model can sustain the hospital over the long term.
Ultimately, LFWB’s involvement elevates the entire initiative from a mere reopening of an old building to the creation of a modern, ethical, and community-focused healthcare institution. Their presence guarantees not only professional oversight but also a long-term vision that includes training future healthcare workers, conducting research, and building a replicable model that can inspire other urban and semi-urban hospital revivals in India. In collaboration with Gurudwara Sant Kutiya, the Liver Foundation West Bengal is not just reviving a hospital — it is reviving faith in public healthcare, one patient at a time.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: Medical Services and Expertise
One of the most promising and defining features of the revived Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital is its commitment to delivering specialized, high-quality medical care, made possible through a crucial collaboration with the Indian Institute of Liver & Digestive Sciences (IILDS), Sonarpur. As part of the strategic revival plan spearheaded by the Liver Foundation West Bengal (LFWB), the inclusion of expert doctors from IILDS marks a monumental step toward ensuring that the community has access to cutting-edge, organ-specific expertise, particularly in areas that are often underrepresented in public healthcare — hepatology and gastroenterology.
The Indian Institute of Liver & Digestive Sciences, located in Sonarpur, is widely recognized for its research-driven clinical excellence in liver diseases, digestive disorders, and associated metabolic conditions. This partnership brings into the fold a team of seasoned hepatologists, gastroenterologists, pathologists, and liver transplant experts who will now extend their services to patients visiting the Kolkata-based facility. These doctors are not only academically accomplished but also have vast experience dealing with complex liver conditions, chronic gastrointestinal diseases, fatty liver, hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, and digestive cancers, among other ailments.
In an era where liver diseases are on a steep rise — fueled by poor lifestyle habits, alcohol abuse, viral infections, and metabolic syndromes — the availability of focused care in this specialty is a boon to the people of central and south Kolkata, especially for those who previously had to travel long distances or depend on costly private hospitals for such consultations. The OPD services being rolled out in the first phase will make these consultations affordable and locally accessible, providing much-needed relief to economically disadvantaged families who often delay or forego treatment due to cost or distance.
Moreover, the collaboration is designed to function as more than just a referral or visiting consultancy model. The IILDS doctors are expected to conduct regular clinics, oversee patient case management, train local medical staff, and mentor junior doctors, thereby embedding a strong academic and clinical culture into the hospital ecosystem. This creates an opportunity to build a knowledge-sharing bridge between high-level specialists and grassroots practitioners — something that is rare in many urban hospitals and almost unheard of in reopened community healthcare setups.
The future vision of this partnership also includes setting up specialty clinics focused on diseases of the liver and digestive system, such as liver wellness clinics, GI oncology units, hepatitis screening camps, and diet management sessions.
In time, the hospital also hopes to introduce minimally invasive procedures, day-care endoscopies, colonoscopies, and potentially a small liver disease diagnostic center, under the technical guidance of IILDS. These additions would bring the institution closer to functioning as a comprehensive gastrointestinal care center, making it one of the few such facilities in Kolkata operating under a semi-public, community-supported model.
From a public health standpoint, this is a game-changing development. Gastrointestinal diseases, liver disorders, and metabolic conditions often go underdiagnosed in India, particularly among low-income populations. The stigma surrounding liver disease — often misattributed solely to alcoholism — also prevents many patients from seeking timely help. The partnership between the hospital and IILDS will be instrumental in dispelling these myths through awareness, while simultaneously offering world-class medical care in a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment.
In essence, by anchoring its service model around specialized expertise from the Indian Institute of Liver & Digestive Sciences, the revived Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital is not only ensuring top-tier clinical care, but is also laying the foundation for a regional center of excellence in liver and digestive health. This reflects the broader ambition of the revival initiative — to deliver not just basic healthcare, but specialized, dignified, and transformative medical services that truly uplift the health and wellbeing of the community.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: Inaugural Event and Notable Attendees
The inauguration of the revived Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital on World Health Day was not just a ceremonial reopening—it was a celebration of hope, unity, and humanitarian commitment to public health. The event marked a turning point in the history of the hospital, which had been non-functional for over a decade, and served as a symbolic reaffirmation of the values of compassionate care, interfaith solidarity, and collaborative service to society. The significance of the occasion was amplified by the presence of several distinguished guests and luminaries from diverse sectors, each of whom added gravitas and goodwill to the hospital’s renewed mission.
Among the most revered figures in attendance was Swami Bodhasarananda, Assistant Secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, one of India’s oldest and most respected spiritual and humanitarian organizations. His presence at the inauguration served as a powerful reminder of the deep-rooted connection between spirituality and service.
Swami Bodhasarananda, in his brief but impactful speech, praised the collaboration between Gurudwara Sant Kutiya and Liver Foundation West Bengal, calling it a “noble initiative rooted in the timeless Indian ethos of sewa (selfless service) and sarvodaya (welfare of all).” He emphasized that healthcare should not be viewed as a commercial venture but as a sacred duty, and lauded the revival of the hospital as a step toward restoring ethical and inclusive medical care.
Also in attendance was Professor Uday G Zachariah, a globally respected Associate Director at the Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore — an institution known for its path-breaking contributions to medicine and community health in India. Professor Zachariah brought with him the perspective of a clinician, academic, and healthcare strategist.
He noted how such collaborations between civil society, religious organizations, and medical institutions are vital to bridging healthcare gaps, especially in urban zones where private care dominates and public care is often overwhelmed. He also expressed his willingness to support the initiative further by exploring training and academic exchange programs between CMC Vellore and the newly reopened Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital. His remarks highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer, skill-building, and ethical frameworks in building resilient and patient-focused health institutions.
Adding a global dimension to the proceedings was SP Singh Oberoi, a philanthropist and entrepreneur based in Dubai, who is widely known for his work in supporting Indian workers abroad and funding life-saving interventions for those in need. His presence at the inauguration underscored the transnational support and recognition that this project has garnered.
Oberoi expressed his admiration for the collaborative efforts behind the hospital’s revival and pledged his support in mobilizing financial aid, medical supplies, and global healthcare partnerships to strengthen the hospital’s long-term sustainability. His words reflected a deep sense of emotional investment in the project, as he called the hospital “a temple of healing” that must remain accessible to the poor and the marginalized.
Also present were senior members of Gurudwara Sant Kutiya, representatives from the Liver Foundation West Bengal, and several community leaders, local doctors, journalists, and well-wishers. The atmosphere was celebratory yet profoundly respectful, as speeches were interspersed with reflections on the hospital’s historical importance, its future potential, and the broader message it sends in a time when public trust in healthcare systems is being rigorously tested.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic lighting of the lamp, a tradition that signifies the dispelling of darkness and the ushering in of light, knowledge, and service. Following the formal proceedings, guests were given a tour of the newly renovated outpatient wings, diagnostic areas, and the day care units. Many expressed admiration for the modernization of the infrastructure, the cleanliness of the facility, and the warmth of the staff, many of whom had volunteered to assist with the reopening efforts.
In essence, the inaugural event was not merely a ribbon-cutting function—it was a powerful convergence of spiritual leaders, medical professionals, philanthropists, and grassroots organizers, all united by a shared vision: to restore dignity and access in healthcare, especially for those who need it the most. It served as a launchpad for a new era for Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, and more broadly, as an inspiring example of how cross-sector alliances can transform dormant infrastructure into living institutions of care
Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Revival: Community Impact and Future Prospects
The revival of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital is more than just the reopening of a long-defunct healthcare facility; it marks a significant and deeply meaningful transformation in the healthcare landscape of Kolkata, especially for the underserved communities residing in and around DL Khan Road, Ekbalpore, Khidderpore, and Mominpur. After remaining closed for over a decade, the hospital’s reactivation stands as a symbol of resilience, community-driven development, and collaborative healing, bringing with it a ripple effect of benefits that will be felt far beyond its walls.
For the local population, the impact is immediate and tangible. For years, residents in this part of the city have struggled with limited access to affordable and quality healthcare. Public hospitals in central Kolkata remain overcrowded, while private hospitals are often unaffordable for working-class families. With the reintroduction of outpatient and diagnostic services at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, patients will now have convenient access to primary and specialty care, including liver and digestive health services, without having to navigate bureaucratic red tape or travel long distances.
This will significantly reduce the delay in treatment for conditions that, if caught early, can be effectively managed and even reversed.
The hospital’s new outpatient department (OPD) and day care services are already addressing a critical void, and the phased rollout of inpatient care, laboratory services, and specialized clinics promises to further strengthen the continuum of care. The broader vision includes the eventual addition of minor surgical procedures, geriatric care, maternal and child health services, and telemedicine consultations, creating a comprehensive health ecosystem that caters to all age groups and ailments.
This long-term vision reflects an understanding that sustainable healthcare requires both curative and preventive dimensions, and that institutions must evolve to meet the changing health needs of the population.
From a public health perspective, the revived hospital is likely to play a pivotal role in disease prevention, health education, and community outreach. With the involvement of Liver Foundation West Bengal, there are plans to initiate regular health camps, awareness drives, vaccination programs, and screening initiatives for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease. These interventions are essential in a densely populated urban setting where such conditions often go undiagnosed due to a lack of proactive screening mechanisms.
Moreover, the collaborative model between Gurudwara Sant Kutiya and LFWB is being hailed as a blueprint for public-private-community partnerships that can be replicated elsewhere in India. It demonstrates how civil society institutions, especially religious and charitable trusts, can reclaim dormant health infrastructure and reimagine it through partnerships with professional medical bodies. This model ensures community ownership, ethical care delivery, operational transparency, and financial sustainability—principles that are often compromised in traditional hospital models dominated by either government bureaucracy or corporate interests.
The hospital is also expected to generate employment opportunities in the form of doctors, nurses, administrative staff, technicians, and sanitation workers. Importantly, many of these roles are being filled by individuals from within the community, thereby boosting the local economy and reinforcing a sense of collective responsibility toward the institution. This local capacity-building approach ensures that the hospital is not seen as an external entity, but rather as a shared community asset, nurtured and protected by those it serves.
In terms of future prospects, the team behind the revival has already hinted at broader ambitions. These include the potential to develop the hospital into a teaching and training center, especially for paramedical courses, community health workers, and nursing assistants. By creating an academic arm, the hospital could serve as a pipeline for grassroots healthcare professionals, addressing India’s shortage of trained medical personnel while empowering youth with vocational skills and employment pathways.
Furthermore, plans are in motion to digitize patient records, implement hospital management systems, and introduce telehealth platforms to expand the hospital’s reach to semi-urban and rural populations through remote consultations. These tech-forward initiatives, guided by LFWB’s experience in digital health innovation, will help future-proof the institution and make it adaptable to evolving health trends and challenges.
In a city like Kolkata, which has both a proud legacy of medical excellence and glaring disparities in healthcare access, the reopening of Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital signals a return to value-based healthcare rooted in empathy, community, and accessibility. It shows what is possible when faith-based organizations, philanthropic visionaries, and public health experts come together with a common goal: to ensure that no one is denied care due to economic or social constraints.
As the hospital begins this new chapter, the expectations are high—but so is the resolve. The journey ahead may be long and layered, but the foundation has been laid with vision, integrity, and collective goodwill. If successful, this initiative will not only transform lives locally but also serve as a model of replicable healthcare reform for other cities and states across India. In the end, the true measure of its success will be the smiles it restores, the lives it saves, and the hope it rekindles in the hearts of those who walk through its doors.
The partnership between Gurudwara Sant Kutiya and the Liver Foundation West Bengal marks a pivotal moment in Kolkata’s healthcare sector. By reviving the Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, this collaboration not only restores a vital health facility but also exemplifies the power of community and organizational synergy in addressing public health challenges. As the hospital begins its phased reopening, it stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to service and the betterment of society.
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