In the early years of 1900, there were one or two male doctors in Udupi town. Pregnant women had no access to medical aid provided by the male doctors. Meanwhile, a young lady of fourteen got a divine inspired desire to study medicine, quite unaware about Udupi nor India. Obstacles were many on the road of her preparing to become a doctor. But her strong spirit gave her the momentum to go on unwavering.

Dr. Eva Lombard, a medical missionary from Geneva, Switzerland, deeply moved by the plight of Indian women during the illness and confinement, started this Hospital, exclusively for women and children on 15th June, 1923 with just six Inpatient beds. In those days, women patients had no access to Medical aid provided by male doctors.News of a lady doctor’s arrival spread like air and people started coming in line-some to get medicine and some to just see this “Amma” who did not wear a saree!
This was only a start-very small indeed, with one doctor, two nurses and a few other Helpers, struggling to care for the sick with only six beds at hand. Later, need was felt to alter and improve the Hospital and to enlarge it. Started with twenty patients, this Hospital catered to the varied medical needs of the people around. All were grateful to God that at last somebody had come to treat the women of Udupi and its surroundings.

Development of the Hospital: – At first the Hospital was catering to the needs of the people in Udupi and around, but Dr.Lombard was often called to remote parts also for treating patients. Such travel lings brought her the awareness that it would be useful if a dispensary is started at Malpe and this was started in August, 1923, which continued till l967. The need for a separate ward for patients with contagious diseases was felt and this was met with when two rooms were built for the purpose. A Maternity ward could be added in 1925, along with a general ward for females. This helped to accommodate a great number of patients who needed hospitalized care very badly.

It was a great joy that a Children’s ward could be started in l932, wherein many motherless and malnutrition children were treated. From that date, this ward is a real abode of such children and some destitute children also. In l933, a quarters for the girls with an upstairs for students was built. Diet kitchen was also built in the same year.

Hospital was expanding and patients started coming in increasing numbers. But there was a dire need for more nursing staff. After much prayer, in l933, a “School for Christian Service’’ started. Here, young girls were trained in all the necessary techniques needed in a Hospital, from cooking and sewing to nursing care. It was a great joy to see these youngsters pick up things easily and work anywhere enthusiastically with a smile. Some of these are still the members of the staff of this Hospital.For 22 years, there was no X-Ray apparatus in the Hospital, which seemed to be a great setback as years went by. In l945 with the help of Common wealth Trust, a small X-Ray unit was installed enabling to treat many diseases after proper X-Ray examinations.

Soon after the Independence of India, the Hospital gladly welcomed Dr. Miss M.Pflugfeldar, an eye specialist, who came with many eye equipments.Thus, a new Eye Department was started in l947. The old car of the Hospital was replaced by another one in l947. This helped in visiting patients and bringing them to the Hospital. In l950, a new clinic was started in Parpale, karkala and many patients could be treated. One doctor was visiting the outpatients and the inpatients very week.

A time came when the Hospital had to find out means to provide a separate ward for men also. Thus, the year l952 saw the opening of the New Bethesda Ward for male patients. The same year a Male Ward for T.B patients also was started. In 1962 a new addition was made to the male T.B. Ward to accommodate female T.B patients. These two wards were to great use in treating many serious T.B.patients, Most of whom went home well same year.

At present the Hospital has a capacity of 200 beds with all major specialties and facilities like, Casualty, Intensive Care Unit, Operation Theatre, Labour Theatre, Dialysis Unit, General Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatric, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesia, Nephrology, Cardiology, ENT, Dental, Orthopedics, Ayurveda and Dermatology. The hospital has dedicated doctors, trained and experienced Nurses Paramedical workers. Presently, the hospital is aiming at achieving NABH accreditation.