Who We Are
A Passion for Health & Healing
Health for India was founded by NJ Varughese. He and his wife Ellen spent many years of their lives in Simdega District, Jharkhand, where they were dedicated to meeting the spiritual and medical needs of people living in remote villages. Health for India was born out of their passion for health, healing, and eliminating barriers to healthcare for low-income men, women, and children. Today, we serve thousands of villagers each year through our hospital and community outreach programs.
Our Development Timeline
1990s
1999
2002
2007
2014
Today
1990s
Malaria Epidemic
In the late 1990s, a malaria epidemic hit the area, and over 5,000 people died needlessly. NJ realized that the people not only needed help spiritually, but were desperate for healthcare.
1999
Mobile Medical Ministry
In 1999, we launched a mobile medical ministry under the leadership of Dr. Hari Babu. Through the usage of a mobile medical bus, the ministry successfully treated more than 100,000 people
over ten years. However, the need for a modern healthcare facility became apparent when our doctor had to leave many impoverished people behind due to illnesses that could not be treated via the bus.
2002
The Dream
NJ envisioned a hospital building in a dream. He believed that God was calling him to build a modern medical facility in Simdega District. He was not a doctor, a construction worker, or a businessman. He wasn’t sure how this would happen, but knew that someone had to do it for the people. Over the next 12 years, every need was provided for. The land was later purchased in 2005.
2007
Construction Begins
Construction began at Shanti Bhavan Medical Center in early 2007. Building a hospital in a poor, remote area is very difficult. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, the hospital was built by many blistered, calloused hands, with much sweat, tears, and prayers.
2014
The Inauguration
This day was a great day of celebration for all in the area, but for NJ Varughese and the Health for India family, it was so much more. It was a day of remembrance and a dream of serving
others coming to fruition. Since then, the vision for Health for India has grown, and the campus of Shanti Bhavan Medical Center will continue to grow as well.
Today
Our Work Continues
Today, Health for India provides vital, modernized healthcare to impoverished men, women, and children throughout northeast India. We serve thousands of native villagers each year through our Shanti Bhavan Medical Center hospital, Rural Medical Services, and Community Health Leaders program.
As a non-profit organization, we rely on donations to fund our medical initiatives. None of our work would be possible without generous donors who believe that all people deserve access to modern healthcare.
Our Development Team
NJ Varughese
Founder: SBMC, HFI & AIM | CEO, SBMC | President, HFI | Director, AIM
“My call is sure, my vision is clear, and my mission is rewarding."
As founder and president of Health for India, NJ oversees all aspects of our humanitarian efforts and health infrastructure in India. He also administers all funding to Health for India’s medical outreach programs and Shanti Bhavan Medical Center. He spends approximately five months per year in India teaching, counseling, and providing leadership for over 700 workers. NJ also travels extensively in the United States in an effort to build a bridge between the U.S. and India.
Hope Howe
Director of Operations & Development
Hope oversees all the day-to-day activities of the organization. She is responsible for building and developing donor relationships, database maintenance, and fundraising processes. Hope manages donation processing and works to procure donated items for the hospital. Developing contacts within the medical and nonprofit communities is vital to her position. She is also responsible for creating, formatting, writing, and editing promotional materials, website updates, blogs, and social media updates. She also serves on the Health for India advisory board.
Board Members
Officers
Other Members
Advisory Board
