Preaching to Outpatients :

Preacher Masih (at far right) preaching to an interested group of inpatients and outpatients outside Jagadhri Mission Hospital, c.1920. Note the boy holding up the religious picture to illustrate the Preacher's story. The aims of Mission medical work included evangelisation through a practical demonstration of the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan.

Opened in 1914, Jagadhri Hospital formed the backbone of our medical Mission work in the Punjab for over 50 years and still holds a special place in the hearts of many Parishioners who continue to support it by way of the Friends of Jagadhri.

Staff & Patients at Jagadhri Hospital :

Male ward patients and medical staff on the verandah at Jagadhri Hospital, 1915 Patients had their string beds placed out here to take advantage of the cooler air during the summer hot season when temperatures could became uncomfortably hot.

Nurse Isobel Milne (later Mrs Riddle) standing at left and Dr William S Robertson standing at right with two Indian staff members in centre. Sr Milne's wages were paid for by the NZ 'Young Women's Bible Class' Union' as their 'Own Missionary'. Her presence was especially appreciated by female patients.

During 1915, 1380 operations were performed, 219 being major and 1161 being minor, a not inconsiderable number for the size of the hospital.

Subathu Leprosy Assylum :

Dr. W. J. Porteous standing among a group of Christian lepers at the Sabathu Leprosy 'Asylum' up in the isolated Solon foothills in 1915. Located in a very remote rural area 4,000 feet above the hot Punjab plains, and reached by a 60 mile narrow guage railway then a 10 mile ride by pony 'tonga'. As well as caring for Indian Lepers in this facility, the Mission also cared for Europeans who had contracted the disease including the 'untainted' children of Lepers.

The New Zealand Punjab Mission administered this work from 1913 to 1922 when it was taken over by an adjoining Mission so that we could consolidate our existing work. Staff shortages during and after the austere years of the First World War and an increasing workload for Mission staff meant that resources had at times been severely stretched.

Jagadhri Hospital Morning Service :

A service of worship being held outside the men's wing at Jagadhri Hospital with inpatients and outpatients seated on the verandah while the staff sing and preach, 1930's.

Cataract Patients at Jagadhri Hospital waiting to go home, 1930's :

Eye surgery formed an important part of the work of the hospital, frequently giving benefit to those who would not have been able to otherwise afford such work elsewhere. This work continues today, including regular "Eye Camps".

Infant Care :

Sr Nan Heginbotham with an Indian trainee Nurse at Jagadhri Hospital attending to a young baby, c.1960.

Sr Margaret Bear with a patient at the new Jagadhri Leprosy Clinic, c.1960.

This contrasts sharply with the image taken in 1915 when Leprosy patients, mainly through public attitudes and concerns, were cared for in an out of the way and remote location.

Three lepers at the Jagadhri Leprosy Clinic showing how the disease has badly deformed their hands.

Sr Lorna Aberley conducting a medical lecture for trainee Nurses at Jagadhri Hospital, c.1960

Health education and medical training has always formed an integral part of our Medical Mission work where the knowledge and experience of trained medical missionaries has been willingly imparted to students so that they may ably undertake health care and medical work among their own people. The Mission gave students opportunities to train for such work which might not otherwise have been possible elsewhere.

A class at the Jagadhri Hospital School of Nursing, 1960 : :

Today the well attended School of Nursing continues to offer Indian students the opportunity to undertake Christian based Nursing training.