| 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]
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]
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]