The Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust is a society registered under the Society Registration Act 1860. The Society was founded by the great yogi, H.H. Dr. Swami Rama, in the year 1989. Today, the Society (HIHT) is engaged in multifarious activities in the field of research, education, health care, social and outreach.
The Main aims and objectives of the Society are:
(a) To undertake activities and research programmes for the extension of knowledge in the fields of natural, social and applied sciences, holistic medicine, preventive medicine, science of breath, psycho-physiology, nutrition, stress management and cancer research & treatment.
(b) To set up a Charitable Hospital in a region between Rishikesh and Dehradun and/or elsewhere, so as to provide medical, surgical, pathological, radiological, ophthalmological and other specialized facilities of high standard to the general public.
(c) To run, own, manage and administer medical training centres, diagnostic centres, scan centres, nursing homes, hospitals, hostels, guest houses, clinics, dispensaries, maternity homes, child and family welfare centres, clinical pathological testing laboratories, x-ray and electrocardiogram, holistic health care facilities & medical research centres in India and abroad.
(d) To act as consultants and advisors to provide technical know-how, technical and allied services for the establishment, operation and improvement of nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, medical institutions, medical centres, diagnostics centres and laboratories in India and to provide facilities for medical research & education.
(e) To encourage regular visits by experts with various specialization from home and abroad.
(f) To organize conferences, workshops, study groups, seminars and medical & other camps.
(g) To organize exhibitions, lectures, seminars, conferences on the themes related to the field of education, culture, science, art and other cultural & educational activities.
(h) To organize and conduct refresher courses, research, summer school workshops, field work, training programmes and other such courses along with other related programmes considered necessary by the Society authorities.
(i) To launch/print any medical magazine, periodicals, pamphlets, books, monographs or posters considered necessary for the promotion of aims of the Society.
(j) To invite experts for lectures; on related and other themes, organize and conduct laboratory and field work in holistic, experiential learning and other educational, scientific, cultural or any other area of concern for the Society.
(k) To institute fellowships, studentships, grant assistance to similar organizations or individuals.
(l) To appoint necessary staff required for running the affairs of the Society.
(m) To create a core group faculty and other discussion groups and pay them the remuneration and provide the necessary facilities from time to time.
(n) To disseminate information and knowledge derived through research and experiential learning and the aims of the Society to larger audiences for the benefit of the people.
(o) To collaborate with other institutions, distinguished individuals and societies for promoting aims and objects of the Society.
(p) To do all such things as may be necessary, incidental or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the objects of the Society, including the undertaking of any production, manufacturing or industrial activities.
(q) To establish Medical College, Nursing College, Ayurvedic College, Homeopathic College, College of Pharmacy, Dental College and other Medical Applied Technical Courses, Engineering College and other educational institutions, Schools and Colleges after taking permission from University, State Government/Central Government or any other competent authority.
Educational Activities
Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU), a State University was established vide Uttarakhand Act No. 12 of 2013. The constituent colleges of SRHU are the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Himalayan College of Nursing, Himalayan School of Management Studies offering both undergraduate and post graduate programs, and Himalayan School of Engineering & Technology offering undergraduate courses in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Communication, and Computer Sciences. SRHU also offers Ph.D. program in various specialties.
The Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences runs undergraduate (M.B.B.S.) and postgraduate courses (M.D./M.S. and Diploma) in 18 disciplines. The medical faculty is also conducting paramedical degree courses in Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiology & Imaging Technology, Physiotherapy, Radiotherapy, Optometry, OT Technology, as well as Audiology and Speech Therapy.
The Himalayan College of Nursing offers a four-year B.Sc. program and a 3-year GNM diploma program. In 2010, a 2-year course in Post-Basic B.Sc. in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing were added. The uniqueness of the nursing programs at HIHT is that nursing students are not only provided instruction in the art and science of Nursing but are also introduced to the basics of alternate systems of health care including Yoga Science. Also, a collaborative nursing model has been initiated between the Nursing College and the hospital, expert faculty of the college providing hands-on training at the bedside and in the community.
Research Activities
Research activities have been a primary focus and major thrust area of the Society. The University, the Nursing College and RDI undertake various extramural and intramural research projects. The Society is recognized by the Department of Science & Technology of the Government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIROs). Extensive outreach activities at HIHT provide a database for evidence-based research to guide research activities in key areas of the hilly regions of Uttarakhand.
Health Care Services
Health care services are being provided through the Himalayan Hospital, a 750 bed, multi-specialty hospital established in 1994. It is the largest hospital in the State of Uttarakhand. The Hospital incorporates H.H. Dr. Swami Rama’s vision of integrating the best of Western medicine with traditional and alternative therapies. The hospital has a full range of super specialty, diagnostic modalities as well as alternative treatment modalities such as Ayurveda (Panchkarma Therapy), Homeopathy, Yoga, etc., all under one roof at affordable cost.
The Cancer Research Institute was established in the year 2006 and is the first of its kind in Uttarakhand. The Cancer Research Institute was inspired by the vision of our founder H.H. Shri Swami Rama. It will address all aspects of cancer control such as prevention, early detection and therapeutic facilities supported by research and education.
Social & Outreach Activities
In order to realize H.H. Swami Rama’s dream, the Society provides its Social & Outreach services through Rural Development Institute (RDI) and the Himalayan Hospital. The RDI is an outreach arm of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust. It is currently working in all the 13 districts of Uttarakhand with the rural community on issues related to Health, Education, Livelihood, Water and Sanitation, Tele-consultation and Adolescent Awareness issues. Over the years, it has benefited more than 10 lakh rural population residing in over 1100 villages in the far flung areas of the Himalayas. The Outreach Services are also provided through Health & Education Camps and Mobile Hospitals.
Charitable Activities
The Society provides scholarships to the deserving poor and meritorious students of Uttarakhand every year for higher secondary and higher education levels. The Scholarship Fund varies between Rs. 25 to 40 lakhs every year.
Free Health Camps are organized regularly by the Society to take its services to the door steps of rural community, especially in the hard to reach areas. Most of the services provided in these camps are free of cost with surgical procedures and surgeries provided at a nominal cost. Patients coming from BPL (below poverty line) background are provided hospital services at most nominal rates or completely free of cost, as the case may demand. The Society also provides free food facilities to such poor patients.
The inspirational guidance bestowed by H.H. Dr. Swami Rama, our founder, is embodied in the motto ‘Love, Serve, Remember’. In order to understand the philosophy guiding the Society (Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust), its motto needs to be further explained. We should always remember that the One, the Highest Power, has become many and dwells in each one of us. If one understands this inter-connectedness with conviction then, selfless service becomes spontaneous. The greatest love we have is for our own selves. When we realize that there is only ‘One’ self dwelling in each one of us, then serving lovingly also becomes spontaneous.
Shri Swami Rama repeatedly stressed the importance of serving others skillfully, selflessly and lovingly. One can become skillful through rigorous practice, but working lovingly and selflessly is what we need to learn. It is this philosophy that this Society strives to incorporate in its system of education, patient care and services rendered to the humanity.
Shri Swami Rama did not teach any particular religious doctrine but his teachings aimed at transforming individuals by inspiring them to take charge of their own lives through discipline and strong willpower. Shri Swami Rama clearly understood that Health, Education and Livelihood skills form a triangular primacy and that holistic development is possible only when all three dimensions are nurtured.
Shri Swami Rama emphasized that the majority of diseases were psycho-somatic diseases, diseases of the body (soma) caused by disturbances of the mind (psyche). Swamiji pioneered holistic health programs that encouraged patients to take charge of their own health by improving their diet, exercising regularly, learning to breathe correctly, learning to relax systematically and through meditation. Computerized stress profiles and bio-feedback were introduced as adjunct approaches to facilitate the harmonizing and integration of body, breath, mind and spirit. These techniques are not only used in the Holistic Health department of the hospital and in the residential Combined Therapy Program but are also taught to our faculty and students through regularly scheduled “Science of Joyful Living” workshops.