Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College

Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College

In the year 1869, foundation of Sassoon Hospital was done from the generous donation of Sir David Sassoon, a Jewish Philanthropist. Hospital was then having 144 beds. Sassoon Hospital played a major role in controlling plague epidemic in 1892. In the year 1909, expansion of Sassoon Hospital was done from the generous donation of Mr. Jacob Sassoon. Further expansion was made from the donation of Shri Ankalesaria in the year 1911. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi was operated in Sassoon hospital on 12th January 1924 for Appendicectomy. Played major role in dealing with critical patients of ‘Swine Flu’ during the epidemic by starting special ICU care unit and also developed ‘Pune Pattern’ of management to be followed later for whole country in year 2009-2010. Promptly dealt with the ‘German Bakery’ Bomb Blast victims in year 2010.

Sassoon General Hospitals is a large state-run hospital in Pune, India with 1296 beds. It is affiliated to the B. J. Medical College and a Nurses training School. Sassoon Hospital caters to 9,426,959 population of Pune District- a 2nd most populous district in the State of Maharashtra. The Jewish philanthropist David Sassoon from Mumbai made a generous donation to make the construction of the hospital possible in 1867. The hospital could originally accommodate 144 patients.

In year 1946 on 23rd June, B. J. Medical College was founded to replace erstwhile B. J. Medical School, with Shri. B. G. Kher the head of the Bombay Government, laying the foundation stone. This was the fulfilment of the vision of a far sighted Parsi philanthropist Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, to have an institution in Poona for training of doctors and providing medical facilities on par with those in Bombay. His generosity and munificence made it possible for the B.J. Medical School to start functioning from 1871 on land donated by him, and when the school was upgraded to the college in 1946, quite filtergly the name was retained. The medical course of MBBS was affiliated to the University of Poona (Pune) in 1949.

Pune had already been blessed by the generous contribution of Sassoon- a Jewish merchant family in the form of the David Sassoon Hospital (Old Sassoon Building) built at a cost of Rs. 213,000 serving the poor and needy from 1867, and the Jacob Sassoon Hospital constructed by his nephew in 1905-06 to relieve the congestion on the David Sassoon Hospital. Both were magnificent buildings, architectural marvels and the clock tower of David Sassoon Hospital, a landmark in the city. The campus had already been blessed by the presence of two great personalities - Avtar Meher Baba was born in the old maternity ward in the hospital, and the father of the nation, Mahatma, Gandhi was operated upon for emergency appendectomy in 1924 by a British Surgeon Col. Murdoch with an Indian anaesthetist Dr. Datey in attendance.

On this hallowed ground, came up the B. J. Medical college (BJMC) and the Sassoon Hospital (New Sassoon Building) facing each other with a unique architectural style of both buildings having two white pillars bearing elephant heads at the top. The main building of BJMC was inaugurated by Dr. Radha Krishnan in 1952.

The first Principal of the B. J. Medical College, which started with 50 students, was Dr. B. B. Dikshit, a renowned academician and the quiet mastery of Dr. Bhende, discipline of Dr. Balwani have left an indelible imprint on the young impressionable minds of innumerable students, in their formative years, who in turn have imbibed these sterling qualities to give back the best to society. For many years annually 200 students are admitted for MBBS graduation and 143 for postgraduation. At any given time now 1700 students are on the campus with more than 2000 staff including 268 faculties. Presently, courses of MBBS, MD, MS, PhD, Diplomas, MCh (CVTS), MSc, GNM, BSc Nursing, DMLT, PGDMCH, and PGDGM are offered here.

BAMS course is included under AYUSH courses in India. BAMS is a UG level medical course of 5.5 years of duration. BAMS graduates are employed as Ayurvedic physicians or doctors. The syllabus of BAMS course includes study of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery for treatment of human disorders. Post completing BAMS candidates can pursue M.S. (Master of Surgery) and M.D. (Doctor of Medicine) in Ayurveda.

The eligibility criteria of BAMS course is the same as of MBBS. Class 12 science students will at least 50% marks are eligible to study Ayurvedic medicine. Admission to BAMS course is granted through NEET exam. The admission process of the BAMS course is conducted by AYUSH Admission Central Counselling Committee (AACCC). Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU, Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune, Patanjali Ayurved College, Haridwar are some of the leading BAMS colleges in India. The fee of the BAMS course ranges between Rs 50,000 to 70,000 annually.

Along the journey of learning the art and science, commerce of medicine, strong values were inculcated, attitudes shaped friendships forged minds were moulded and personalities groomed to give rise to renowned 'personalities' who carved a niche for themselves, in the world.

While on one hand many have reached dizzying heights of success and excellence in their chosen profession winning international acclaim, on the other hand, we have some for their unforgettable contribution to cinema and theatre. We have among ‘BJites’, dramatists trailing a blaze of glory, keen photographers clicking away, nature lover's trekking their way to the wild, litterateurs penning their thoughts in prose and poetry mountaineers climbing new heights and musicians rocking the stage. BJMC even finds a place in the political scenario with doctor politicians and astute administrators. The firm groundwork laid by Dr. Dikshit and his successor Dr. B. M. Desai, in establishing a rich tradition of excellent teaching, notable research and devoted service has been continued and built upon by successive eminent Deans, up to Dr. Ajay S. Chandanwale, in the present day. Their efforts to retain the good old values, while bringing in the new have resulted in our institution attaining a position of pre-eminence, rated among the top ten medical colleges in India.

The sincerity, devotion, single minded love for teaching of countless teachers has rubbed off on successive batches of students, who endeavour to emulate them. While some have entered academics, the second generation teachers are passing on the legacy to the current generation of students while others are providing yoman service of relieving suffering of patients to society. BJMC has given various social activists to the society. Those who have reached the pinnacles of glory in their professional organisations have brought laurels and given name and fame to our institution.

The next generations of ‘BJites’ are closely following in the footsteps of their parents. Above all, Dr. Dikshit’s path breaking research contribution to the role of acetylcholine in sleep and Dr. Bhende's discovery of the Bombay blood group have etched their names for posterity, Sassoon Hospital had its name in the Jablonski's Dictionary of syndromes, for the syndrome discovered and named after it, by Dr. Ganla and Dr. M. J. Narsimhan.

MCC will conduct the NEET counselling for 15% of All India Quota, deemed/central universities/AFMS, and ESIC institutes. During counselling for MBBS admission, students will have to register using their personal and NEET-related details, pay the counselling fee, and fill their preferences of the course and the colleges they wish to study into. Based on the choices filled by candidates, NEET All India Rank, reservation, and seat matrix, MCC will conduct the NEET UG seat allotment. Candidates who will be offered seats during seat allotment of MBBS admission will have to report to the allotted institute.

After the centenary celebrations of Sassoon Hospital in 1968, the staff society was born, thanks to the efforts of research minded academicians Dr. Deodhar, Dr. Mutalik and others to provide a platform for sharing and exchange of research work at Staff conferences. The staff society was merged with the newly formed Research Society to boost interdepartmental research and provide a forum for young researches to present their work and publish it in the Research Society Journal 'Medical Journal of Western India. Both are running in full stream and have provided a stepping board for young staff members and students to pursue a career in research. The next two decades saw the expansion of departments and extension of Spheres of activity Several speciality clinics were started. The third decade saw the bifurcation of departments Allied disciplines became full-fledged departments.