The Hospital

Sylvia started her work in India by buying a van and operating it as a mobile clinic. She opened her first hospital in 1985 and this was replaced by a new hospital in 2002.

Outpatient clinics are held daily and over 80,000 patients attend each year. Sylvia also provides a 24 hour medical service 7 days a week.

Particular areas of interest include preventative medicine, ante natal, cardiology, diabetes, kidney problems, rheumatology, physiotherapy and paediatrics. The hospital is also the government supported centre for HIV/AIDS diagnosis, counselling and treatment covering a population of 1.3 million people. 1500 Government nurses and 100 doctors have been trained by Sylvia's staff in this field. The centre has been awarded a Grade A rating by the Tamil Nadu government.

The hospital has 220 beds on a 12 acre site and has extensive facilities. These include 2 operating theatres, 19 dialysis machines, a CT scanner, X Ray and endoscopy machines, together with a pharmacy and a blood storage unit.

The Cardiac clinic has an Echo machine, ECG, and a treadmill;

Total staffing is over 280 including 10 doctors and 120 nursing staff. A number of consultants visit at least one day per week to hold clinics in their speciality.Sylvia insists that all patients are treated with love and respect and while most pay a little towards their treatment, the poorest are treated free.