Humanity Hospital at Santigachhi
This Hospital came into existence just after the natural calamity, devastating Cyclone named “AILA” in Gangetic Delta at Sundarbans Biosphere at Bay of Bengal.
Aila, alone killed more than 150 people and hundreds others were left homeless as torrential rains led to flooding. High winds uprooted numerous trees, blocking roads throughout the region. More than 15,000 people in eight villages were reportedly isolated from relief crews by severe flooding. All transit systems in the city of Kolkata were halted and daily life was at a standstill due to the storm. The areas and districts affected by the cyclone in West Bengal include South 24-Parganas and Kolkata. In the West Bengal, more than 100,000 people were left homeless. At least 100 river embankments were breached by storm surge produced by the cyclone. As the coastal topography is so shallow, the region is susceptible to storm surge. As the area is densely populated, after effect of storms are extremely dangerous.
After the devastating storm ‘AILA’ in Sunderban area in 2009,Chairman of Humanity Trust had undertaken massive relief work at different places of Gosaba Block from May 2009. It was felt by Dr. Ajoy that the village, Santigachhi, Lahiripur in Gosaba Block, one of remotest the places in Sundarbans, (see attached Map of the area) needed the services for a prolonged period. Humanity Hospital continues to provide health care services at those places where population is more than 200,000. Humanity Hospital started providing various health services to the rural people of the area through community outreach program, from a temporary shelter. In order to strengthen the on-going program by scaling up the existing program,they planned to upgrade the existing facility with required infrastructure and modern machineries, equipment and quality human resources. Their service benefited scores of rural mass of the area; still there is urgent need to set up a system to reach all the far-island population of the area who has no access to quality health services. People of the area need to travel a long distance for any medical problem. Ultimate aim of the project is to provide quality health services to all.
There is no Electricity in this area, as there is no transmission line and it is entirely dependent on non-conventional energy like Solar or Wind Power or by Diesel Generating set.
There is no direct Road or Railway connection from Kolkata. Now road connection is up to the point of Godkhali Ferry Ghat at a distance of 180 km (111.6 miles). It is about 3h-15m drive under normal condition. Railway connection is up to Canning and from there by road to Godkhali.
There are 2 regular routes to reach Godkhali Ferry Ghat, South 24-Parganas by road:
Link for route map from Salt Lake City/Govonor House to Godkhali Ferry Ghat; for your ready reference:
