Bel-Air Hospital

Services and Staff

Enterprises that have important linkages with the hospital and sanatorium lie adjacent to Bel-Air Hospital. An Ayurvedic and Naturopathy Health Center, next to the hospital campus, is an integral part of Bel- Air and important to its healing mission (ICRSb). This center has been a source of revenue for Bel-Air Hospital to provide free treatment at the sanatorium and hospital. Just beyond the Ayurvedic Center a new facility for St. Xavier’s boarding school for boys is being constructed. This school is a project of the MCBS. Fr. Joseph is the administrator. Bel-Air Hospital’s role as a health service provider in this locale extends to other boarding schools. Approximately 1000 of the 5000 students attending schools in the region are enrolled at Bel- Air for their health care at the cost of 500 rupees per year. Providing this care is another source of revenue for Bel-Air Hospital and provides a signal to the Community that Bel-Air Hospital offers comprehensive health care, in addition to care for TB and HIV/AIDS.

Bel-Air Hospital staff members provide medical/surgical, pediatric, gynecologic and obstetric (8 infants delivered/month), intensive care (10 to 15 patients/month), casualty (emergency), outpatient, and dental services. Current census of the 250-bed hospital is approximately 125 patients. A comprehensive stock of medications, basic laboratory, and diagnostic facilities is available. Medical and nursing care, basic medicine, routine diagnostic studies, as well as room and board are free to most patients (Bel-Air Hospital, 2003). Approximately 28 nurses with the leadership of a nursing matron and an assistant matron provide nursing care. Resident and non-resident physicians, medical social workers (5) and volunteers with HIV/AIDS (16+) are also part of the staff. Additional personnel include a food service supervisor, office staff, a driver, and others.