In the quiet town of Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, stands an extraordinary hospital that is as much a spiritual beacon as it is a center for world-class healthcare. The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences is a hospital where every treatment is offered completely free of cost—an institution born from the deep compassion and vision of a spiritual leader, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
A Vision Rooted in Compassion
Sri Sathya Sai Baba, known worldwide for his teachings of love, service, and unity, saw firsthand the struggles of the poor and sick across India. For him, healthcare was not merely a service—it was a sacred duty. He believed that good health was a fundamental right and that hospitals should offer medical services with love and compassion, without commercial motives.
The dream of establishing a “temple of healing” became reality in 1991 when construction began on the hospital. Designed to serve as a sanctuary for those who could not afford expensive medical treatment, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences was envisioned as a place where high-end tertiary care would be provided free of charge, driven by love and service.
A Miracle in Time
The hospital’s construction itself was an astonishing feat. Completed in just over a year, it was ready to open its doors in November 1991. Thousands of workers, engineers, architects, and volunteers came together, many offering their services for little or no payment, inspired by the cause.
Unlike conventional hospitals, its architecture reflected Indian spiritual traditions—golden domes, expansive corridors, and a serene, temple-like atmosphere. Sai Baba personally oversaw every aspect of the project, from the hospital’s layout to the selection of the first set of doctors and staff.
When it opened, the hospital immediately began offering free treatments for complex cardiac, urology, and orthopedic issues. With world-class technology, a team of some of the finest surgeons, and a spirit of selfless service, it began to transform lives, one surgery at a time.
Healing with Dignity
At Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, the absence of financial transactions created a unique environment. Patients were treated not as cases, but as human beings deserving dignity and compassion. There were no cash counters, no billing departments. People who had lost hope—because they could not afford surgeries or critical treatments—found a second chance at life.
Complex open-heart surgeries, kidney transplants, neurosurgeries—all were performed with precision and care, free of cost. Patients from the remotest corners of India traveled to Puttaparthi, and many left not only healed in body but also uplifted in spirit.
An Ongoing Mission
Over the decades, the hospital has expanded its facilities, introduced advanced specialties, and improved its infrastructure. It has set a powerful example for healthcare institutions across the country: that it is possible to deliver world-class healthcare without commercialization.
A sister hospital was later opened in Whitefield, Bangalore, further extending the mission of free healthcare. Together, these institutions have performed tens of thousands of surgeries, transformed countless lives, and proved that healthcare can indeed be a divine service.
Legacy Beyond Medicine
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences remains a living embodiment of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s message: “Love All, Serve All.” It is a place where medical science and spirituality meet, where the sick are healed not just with medicine but with compassion and unconditional love.
Even today, long after Sai Baba’s passing, his vision endures. Doctors, nurses, and staff continue to serve with the same spirit of dedication, treating every patient not as a number, but as a soul deserving care, respect, and healing.
