Society of Friends of the Sassoon Hospitals

The patients seeking treatment at Sassoon Hospital predominantly come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition to the medication provided by the hospital, they require a high-protein diet to support their recovery. However, many of them cannot afford such a nutritious diet. To address this issue, SOFOSH has taken the initiative to provide high-protein meals through donations. Patients are now receiving a variety of nutritious food items such as eggs, ragi powder, bananas, mixed grains, milk, and leafy vegetables to meet their dietary needs.

There are many children among these who are physically and mentally challenged and these little ones are now being looked after at TARA SOFOSH Dhadphale Centre, a spacious home designed for such unfortunate and special needs children. These children have a little or no hope to be resettled through adoption. Under the protective care of our social workers and their unconditional love, these children confront their mental, physical and social challenges in life. This centre is situated at Pimpale Gurav, on the outskirts of the Pune city.

SOFOSH was established in 1964 with the purpose of assisting patients in need who sought medical help at Sassoon Hospitals. As the number of HIV-infected patients admitted to Sassoon Hospitals increased, there was a prevailing lack of awareness about this illness, leading to fear and apprehension among the general public. In response, SOFOSH took the initiative to provide biohazard training to the medical and paramedical staff at the hospital. Additionally, professional counsellors appointed by SOFOSH offered counselling services to both the medical staff and patients. Furthermore, SOFOSH ensured the provision of necessary medications for the treatment of this illness.

Patients affected by HIV used to visit the HIV OPD at Sassoon Hospitals to receive medication, but they experienced fear and insecurity due to their lack of understanding about the transmission of the virus. They often felt isolated and constantly anxious. Recognizing this, a counsellor from SOFOSH observed the patients attending the HIV OPD and recognized the need for counselling to provide them with knowledge about HIV transmission, the importance of proper medication adherence, and the significance of a nutritious diet. Thus, counselling sessions were initiated for these patients. In addition, a support group was established for individuals affected by HIV. This support group provided a platform for HIV-positive patients to connect with one another, offering vital mental and emotional support. Regular meetings allowed them to openly share their thoughts, experiences, and challenges, and find solace in the advice and solutions provided by their peers, leading to a greater sense of relaxation and relief.

SOFOSH stared in year 1964 to help the needy patients comes to the Sassoon Hospitals for the necessary help. The HIV infected patients started admitting in the Sassoon Hospitals. There was no awareness about this illness so people used to get afraid of this illness. SOFOSH started providing biohazard training to the medical and paramedical staff in the hospital. The medical, paramedical staff and patients were provided counselling by the professional counsellor appointed by SOFOSH and also provided the medication required to treat this illness.

Patients who use to come to the sassoon hospital for the treatment are from the poor background. They needed high protein diet along with the medicines provided by the hospital. They were not able to afford the high protein and nutritious diet, hence SOFOSH has started providing the high protein diet from the donations. Patients were given Eggs, ragi powder, banana, mix gains, milk, leafy vegetables etc.)

Patient Welfare- HIV infected and affected patients use to come to Sassoon Hospitals HIV OPD to take the medicines. They were very afraid and insecure as they had no knowledge about the spared of HIV. They use to be alone and tensed all the time. The SOFOSH counsellor had observed the patients coming in the HIV OPD and thought of providing them counselling to give them orientation about the spread of HIV, importance of taking medicines properly along with the proper nutrition’s diet. She started counselling to these patients. She formed the support group of HIV affected patients. The support group has given the platform to the HIV positive patients to get interacted with each other to have a mental and emotional support. They started meeting each other regularly and started sharing their thoughts, views, ideal, challenges they are facing. They are getting solutions from the peer group and hence they felt very relaxed.

‘Shreevatsa’ – A special child care centre run by SOFOSH was established in the year 1973. Since its inception, it has been catering to the needs of the abandoned, orphaned little ones from our society. shreevatsaBabies relinquished by their single birth mothers are also offered shelter under this roof. Thus Shreevatsa offers a loving home and hope to family deprived children from the age of new born to 6 years.

Children here are well looked after and provided with healthy and nutritious food along with additional supplements whenever required to combat malnutrition. The medical need of each and every child is also the responsibility of the institution and this is shouldered by our able team of doctors and nurses. Therapy also forms an integral part of child care and thus we also impart speech therapy, massage therapy, play therapy etc. to the children as and when required.

A long term rehabilitation program for each child is worked out according to their individual needs. Most of these children are rehabilitated by placing them into adoption. The main aim of SOFOSH has always been to find a home for these children as institutional care cannot substitute family care.

Thus today SOFOSH is one of the pioneering adoption agencies in Pune.