Doctor with Golden Heart
A dynamic doctor with a golden heart, a self-made person and a source of inspiration for the young upcoming doctors could aptly describe Dr. Amol Gitte the founder of the Siddhivinayak Hospital, Vartak Nagar, Thane, in a nutshell.
Born in a farmer’s family, in a rural part of Marathwada wherein life was not easy for this young lad who had to walk for 3 kilometers every day to reach school just to complete his Primary and Secondary Education, he has come a long way. The credit of which he proudly lays at his father’s feet, who being a graduate himself, in those days, wanted his children to excel in their studies and become a doctor or IAS Officer. So to fulfil his family’s dream, Dr. Amol Gitte travelled to Latur city. He was always topper in his school days. He was amongst the lucky few to get the admission for MBBS in India’s Premier Institute GS Medical College and KEM Hospita, Parel.
It was like dream come true for this young man as admission to such prestigious institutions was very tough task. He completed Medical Education and decided to build his medical career in Thane, though he knew that it was not going to be a cake walk for him. He was aware that no one in the city would back him because he was new to the city and it was bound to be a tough going, especially since he had to start from a scratch. But as they say, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
In his own words,” It was difficult, but hailing from a rural background, we rural students are mentally strong and have special ability to put in rigorous efforts and strive very hard and succeed even in adverse conditions.”
He proved his ‘GRIT’ by putting in real hard work in his initial days to established himself by getting associated with different hospitals and then starting a small Maternity Hospital in Vartak Nagar, Thane. He had special interest in high risk obstetrics cases and having handled hundreds of challenging cases helped him get the recognition as a doctor who dares and accepts critical cases and treats them successfully.
He developed with his patients, through good communication skills, transparency in dealing with patients regarding procedures and treatment options and cost involved in it. He achieved the trust and respect of the patients and their relatives because of his generous nature and empathy towards the poor.
So it is not at all surprising that his small Maternity hospital at Vartak Nagar has grown to big multispeciality hospital today with quality infrastructure and high end facilities like Critical care unit, well equipped trauma center, well equipped Dialysis unit, in-house Sonography, 2D Eco and many more advanced treatment options like laser and laproscopy. All the super specialty departments like Urosurgery, Brain and Spine surgery, Joint replacement unit, Neurology, Nephrology, Plastic surgery etc. are fully functional and have treated thousands of patients successfully in the hospital.
Dr. Amol Gitte says about his next expansion plan,” Because of a lot of demand by people to start Cardiac care facility at Siddhivinayak Hospital, we are coming up with a high end Cath lab and Cardiac care unit very shortly.” A team of experienced Consultants, sympathetic nursing staff and a caring supporting staff working round the clock in treating and caring for those admitted patients adds more value to the hospital. This hospital has done outstanding work during COVID-19 pandemic and has helped thousands of patients including several very critical patients. This hospital has earned the reputation as one of the most preferred COVID-19 hospital with very good recovery rate in the entire thane district. Patients with critical condition were coming all the way from long distances, from the remote places like Ratnagiri, Chiplun, Palghar, Wada, Shahpur etc. with lot of hope to Siddhivinayak Hospital during this COVID-19 pandemic. Not only COVID but any natural calamities like floods in Sangli, Satara and Kokan as well drought in Marathwada, Dr. Amol Gitte has always come forward to help the society at large in times of trouble.
His hospital doors are always open 24*7 for common people. No poor patient needing medical care has ever been turned because of monetary reasons. This generous approach endeared him to the masses across Thane city.
His immense social contribution has been appreciated by many institutions and dignitaries. Recently he was the recipient of the prestigious Thane Gaurav Award 2022 and prior to this, he received the Maharashtra Sanmaan Award that was presented to him by the Hon. Governor of Maharashtra, Shri. Bhagat Singh Koshiyari. He also received the Marathwada Ratna Award 2021 which was presented to him by the Gauardian Minister of Thane and state urban development minister Shri Eknath Shinde, Mid-day icon award was presented to him by the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Devendra Phadnavis, ZEE 24 Taas award presented to him by the Hon. Health Minister of Maharashtra Shri. Rajesh Tope, the indian Achievers award, the Times Health Care award, to name a few.
The Siddhi Vinayak Hospital was the first private hospital to have brought in the COVID-19 VACCINE in Thane and since the demand was more it was a perfect opportunity for the hospital to double its earning by offering the vaccines to large Corporates, but it was Dr. Amol Gitte’s sense of responsibility towards the people of Thane that prevailed and he decided to offer the vaccinations first to common Thanekars. He came forward and vaccinated thousands of Thanekars by reaching out to maximum possible societies when it was needed most.
When asked about that tough mission to handle the politicians and conduct the vaccination drives successfully, he says, ”That was tough time. Everyone was waiting for the vaccine very eagerly. Most of the public representatives were constantly in touch with me. Everyone was asking for a vaccination camp in his/her ward. I decided to give justice to all and tried to vaccinate maximum possible people without any discrimination of party, religion, etc. I am satisfied that I could give justice to all people”.
Dr. Gitte is currently organizing free vaccination drive for children from underprivileged sections of the society of Palghar and Thane district. This drive has already benefited more than 16,000 youngsters so far. This bears testimony to the fact that Dr. Amol Gitte places service to those needy and in pain above all else. A rare quality to come by in today’s times. He is indeed a man with a golden heart.
No wonder that he has a huge fan following amongst social activists and political party workers across party lines. He always helps generously to arrange different cultural events and sports competitions in nearby localities. This rare social connect with political leaders and workers got more strong during COVID times because of his 24/7 availability, helping people to get beds in difficult times, helping to get medicines like Remdisvir when availability was a major issue and he also provided all other support and guidance to patient in distress. These humanitarian services provided by The Siddhivinayak Hospital are lauded by public representatives of all political parties and even the Hon. Mayor of Thane at different forums and programs.
Dr. Amol Gitte’s humility shows in these words,”Money is not all. It gives me immense satisfaction that I could bring a smile on the faces of actually needy people, this is a small beginning. I still have a long way to go. I pray to God to keep me grounded and give me strength to work more and more for the common man”.
THANE VAIBHAV SINCERELY WISHES DR. AMOL GITTE ALL THE LUCK FOR HIS FUTURE!
Read E-Magazine : Dr. Amol Gite – April 2022
