Women's Christian Hospital, Multan Explained

Women's Christian Hospital, Multan
Coordinates:30.1892°N 71.4416°W
Location:Multan
Country:Pakistan
Healthcare:Public
Religious Affiliation:Church Missionary Society
Former-Names:Mohabbat Hospital
Opened:1886

Women's Christian Hospital, Multan (Urdu: کرسچن ہسپتال برائے خواتین، ملتان), commonly known as Mission Hospital Multan, is a hospital in Multan Cantonment, Punjab, Pakistan. It is one of the oldest women's hospital located in Multan.[1]

Covering an area of six-and-a-half acres, this facility, often referred to as the Mission Hospital, is noted for its free healthcare services for underprivileged patients.[1]

History

Women's Christian Hospital was founded in 1886 by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) as a dispensary, addressing the absence of medical services for women at a time when societal norms, such as purdah, limited their access to healthcare.[1] [2] It served as an alternative to the Civil Hospital, the region's only other hospital, which was exclusive to men.[2] In its earlier history, it was known as Mohabbat Hospital, with Dr. Eager as one of its founding members.[1]

The dispensary evolved into a hospital after receiving a land grant from the cantonment magistrate, leading to the construction of an outpatient block and wards in 1899.[2] The hospital's patient base grew over time, indicating a growing acceptance of women's healthcare needs in the region.[2]

In 1935, a maternity facility and labor rooms were created, as well as a nurse training school.[2] [3] The C.M.S. sold the 100-bed hospital to the U.S.-based Women's Union Missionary Society (WUMS) on October 1, 1956.[3] [2] WUMS was then registered with the Government of Pakistan and is still operating under the name WUMS.[3]

In the 1970s, it introduced additional community development programs, such as credit unions, small loan schemes, and sanitation projects.[2] Vocational training in the domestic skills was later added to these initiatives.[2]

In 1978, the hospital's concentration shifted to obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics alone.[3]

Facilities

Historically, Women's Christian Hospital has been focusing on women's healthcare, particularly in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics.[2] As of 2005, the hospital had a capacity of 75 beds and was serving around 46,000 patients annually.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Missionary hospital serving the poor for over 100 years. Dawn.com. 15 December 2014 . 2021-10-11.
  2. Book: Din, Yunis Lal. The Oxford Encyclopaedia of South Asian Christianity. Roger E. . Jesudas M. . Joshua . Jessica . Hedlund . Athyal . Kalapati . Richard . January 20, 2011. Oxford University Press. Oxford Reference. 10.1093/acref/9780198073857.001.0001. 978-0-19-807385-7 .
  3. Web site: About Us | Women's Christian Hospital.