Mumbai’s Sir JJ Hospital has unveiled a museum to commemorate its remarkable 180-year legacy of teaching and healing. This historic institution, founded in 1845 with a generous donation of ₹1 lakh by Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, is a cornerstone of India’s medical heritage. The new museum, housed temporarily in the hospital’s Boys’ Common Room, promises to be a testament to its extraordinary journey.
The Boys’ Common Room, a 159-year-old heritage structure within the hospital campus, has an illustrious past. Originally serving as an infectious diseases ward, it later became the site for the hospital’s bacteriology department in the 1960s. Eventually, the museum will move to the original medical college building, a stunning ground-plus-two structure that also accommodates the JJ Marg police station. The museum’s collection offers visitors a window into the past, with artefacts, busts, and photographs dating back more than 150 years. According to Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean of the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals, the museum honours the hospital’s unique history as a singular example of a private individual funding the establishment of a medical college and hospital.
“The Grant Medical College (GMC) and Sir JJ Hospital opened their doors to students and patients on 15 May 1845, a historic moment in Indian medical education and healthcare,” Dr Saple remarked. In addition to chronicling the hospital’s founding, the museum highlights the contributions of its alumni, many of whom have made significant advancements in the medical field. “The museum offers an insightful journey into the illustrious history of this institution and its founding members, whose vision transformed healthcare in India,” added Dr Saple. This initiative is a celebration of Sir JJ Hospital’s enduring impact on India’s medical landscape and its commitment to preserving its rich legacy for future generations.
