Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Bel-Air Hospital's Transformation from TB Care to HIV-AIDS Leadership
A long time ago, a hospital in Pune called Bel-Air was in bad shape.
It was originally for people with tuberculosis, but it wasn't doing well.
A priest named Father Tomy saw this and decided to help.
He worked hard to fix the hospital and make it a place where people with HIV-AIDS could get good care.
With help from Tata Trusts and the government, the hospital grew and now helps many people.
They even started schools and nursing colleges.
Today, Bel-Air not only treats HIV patients but also takes care of people in faraway villages who need medical help.
Bel-Air Hospital, originally a TB sanatorium, was revitalized in 1993 by Father Tomy Kariyilakulam to address the HIV crisis.
The hospital received significant funding from Tata Trusts and support from the Indian Red Cross Society.
Over 25,000 HIV patients have been treated at Bel-Air, which now includes a 200-bed hospital and a nursing college.
The Maharashtra government entrusted Bel-Air with managing a rural hospital and 14 sub-centres in 2019 to provide healthcare to remote villages.
Bel-Air has expanded its services to include ayurvedic wellness treatment and has established educational institutions like St Xavier’s High School and Junior College.
- Who
- Father Tomy Kariyilakulam, director of Bel-Air Hospital
- What
- Transformation of Bel-Air Hospital from a TB sanatorium to a leading HIV-AIDS care centre and expansion into rural healthcare
- When
- 1993 to present
- Where
- Panchgani, Pune, and rural areas of Mahabaleshwar tehsil, Satara district
- Why
- To address the HIV crisis and provide comprehensive healthcare to rural villages
- Founded
- 1994
- Location
- Panchgani, Pune
- Initial Condition
- 64 dilapidated buildings, only 3 usable, fewer than 20 patients
- Funding Support
- Rs 2.77 crore from Tata Trusts
- Patients Treated
- Over 25,000 HIV patients
- Current Facilities
- 200-bed hospital, nursing college, rural hospital, primary health centres
- Notable Visitor
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2003
- Recent Expansion
- Management of rural hospital and 14 sub-centres in 2019