Fast growing life, work-place concerns and little time for recreation is killing us softly. As a nation, The Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital was established in 1923 by Dr Eva Lombard a Swiss missionary doctor. It is a charitable hospital which works on the principle that any income should go towards the Church for its evangelical work after provision for continuous upgradation of facilities and technology and other expenses. It has provided yeoman service to the people of Udupi and its surrounding areas. It was a beacon of hope for many poor people especially women and children for whom this was the only hospital providing affordable healthcare. It was the first hospital providing health care and maternity care when women were ostracised in the early 1900’s. From a six bedded unit it grew to nearly 250 beds in its heydays.
In the early 1900’s life was very different in the temple town of conservative Udupi. Medical care was patchy and women especially were poorly served as there was no woman doctor. Childbirth was very difficult and infant mortality rates very high. In the year 1923, a young swiss missionary doctor, Dr Eva Lombard arrived in Udupi via Mission Hospital, Mysore to start a small six bedded hospital with 1 doctor, 1 nurse and 1 sister on 16th of June 1923 in the Bungalow in Udupi. News of the young lady doctor spread like wild fire and many people thronged to the hospital to seek medical help. Medical knowledge was not so well advanced as today so not everyone could be treated with medicines alone. Dr Eva Lombard was not just a doctor but an evangelist as well. When medicines could not cure she prayed hard for the welfare of the people who thronged to see her. Her prayers were often answered. Soon she came to be called Amma of Udupi.
The Mission Hospital continued to grow and was a beacon of hope to everyone in Udupi and the surrounding areas. The hospital not only grew in bed strength but added new facilities and equipment. New wards were open and many doctors and nurses of eminence both from India and abroad have served here with distinction. The Mission Hospital soon became the hospital to go to when you were ill. The hospital provided not only medical care but spiritual care too. It became particularly well known for maternity and child care. People came from afar for the healing touch from God and the staff of Mission Hospital. The Mission Hospital evolved and adapted to the changes in Society and medical practise and technology. In 1954 Dr Eva Lombard retired and the staff had to bid farewell. She was replaced by Dr Mrs K A Salins as Medical Superintendent. Several Directors have served the hospital since then with courage and conviction. Many nurses and other staff have played a valiant role in building the Mission hospital into a hospital of great eminence.To be associated with Mission Hospital was a mark of honour and respect.
The Mission hospital grew from strength to strength. There were always struggles to find the financial resources but God was always there to help. He never let the hospital down. Initially it was the Kanarese Mission which supported the development but later on the Basel Mission took over the support and recently it has been under the umbrella of the Church of South India. However, whichever organisation supported it, the Mission hospital treated everyone without discrimination for religion, caste or creed. Patients from all religions and faith were welcome at the gates of the Mission Hospital.
Unfortunately the Mission Hospital has lost its pre eminence in the last two decades and has been struggling with financial problems and quality of care provided. The infrastructure has deteriorated and the equipment has become outdated. More high tech private and commercial hospitals have sprung up in Udupi making the Mission hospital obsolete and unviable. The morale was also low despite the best efforts of previous Directors who have worked hard to improve the hospital. The Mission Hospital went through a series of Directors who all made sincere efforts to rebuild the hospital. At one stage the staff went on strike because they were not paid their salaries for several months. But they continued to work without a salary which shows the dedication of the staff. The nursing care for which the hospital was well known started to deteriorate and duty doctors were not always available.
Staff quarters started crumbling and modern equipment was not available. This was a time, a few years ago when some well wishers came forward to save the hospital with some interest free loans. Some organisations such as CSI KSD and CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital also came forward with interest free loans. Other loans were taken from the banks as well. As a result a chapel was renovated and the pharmacy relocated. Some essential equipment and an Ambulance was also purchased. But this was not enough and the hospital still struggled because of lack of patients. Throughout these difficult years, the Mission Hospital has been conscious of their calling as a Christian institution and served the patients with love and care.
The Mission Hospital has now embarked on a major renovation and modernisation programme so as to improve not only its capacity but also its services so that it can once again become the prestigious hospital it once was under its current Director Dr Sushil Jathanna. Dr Sushil Jathanna, son of late Bishop C D Jathanna is a consultant physician with experience in hospital management. He was the first Indian CEO of the NHS in Cambridgeshire in the UK where he worked for 32 years after graduating from KMC, Manipal. He took over the reins of Mission Hospital in September 2014. In the last two years, the Mission hospital has been transformed and has made a small profit for the first time after decades of making operational losses. All outstanding salaries have been paid and the salaries have also been increased to reflect the going rates for staff working in hospitals.
What is commendable is, that this has also been achieved with fewer donations than in the past as Dr Sushil Jathanna and his team is determined to make the hospital self sufficient from its own resources. The Mission Hospital has started paying back all the loans it has taken in the past and currently has no bank loans pending. It has also started contributing regularly without fail towards the Church and Diocese work.
Significant improvements have been made to the infrastructure and many new equipment has been bought. Recently the entire B ward that had completely collapsed has been renovated and a new ICU established. New nurses including a new Nursing Superintendent Helen Mathias have been appointed and there is now a full complement of duty doctors providing round the clock medical care. The Laboratory is now being renovated and new services such as a Dental unit and Microbiology unit has been started. Many staff quarters has also now been renovated and patients have started coming back to the hospital in increasing numbers. The number of deliveries has increased and recently during the monsoon season the hospital was full for the first time. The once famous College of Nursing is now once again completely full.
Dr Sushil Jathanna says he is grateful to all those donors and well wishers who have contributed to the development programme of the hospital. He is also grateful to all the staff and his management team for their hard work in delivering good care. But most of all he says he is grateful to God Almighty for His continued blessings and the prayers of all those well wishers.
But the Mission Hospital would need the further support and help of generous donors and well wishers to fund the full development programme. Once it is complete, Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital will not only become self sufficient but also become a nett contributor towards the evangelical work of the Church and Diocese which we all cherish. Once the development work is complete, there is no chance of the Mission Hospital being dependent on any one for further financial support.
In about two years time it is possible for this hospital to be a superspeciality hospital. And God willing, it is possible to plan for a possible medical college for our community. We know this is a tough challenge and can only be achieved through Gods help and if we are all united and keep politics away from the gates of the hospital. Let us try to stay true to the legacy of Dr Eva Lombard and all those doctors and nurses who have worked tirelessly all these years. It rests on us the present generation to keep alight the flames of love, compassion and hope to countless people who come to the hospital.
The challenge is not only for those working in the hospital but all our well wishers and benefactors outside the hospital too. It should also be a calling for everyone in our own community and all those interested in preserving the legacy of Dr Eva Lombard. So, as a hospital, as a church, as a community let us all strive and pray for the development of the Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital so that it becomes a beacon of hope to the many sick people who visit the hospital. Let us all join together to save and preserve one of our institutions for the future generation. We believe as William Carey said: Expect Great Things From God, Attempt Great Things for God