Media Release

Udupi, Jun 14:  “The centenary year celebrations of CSI Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, Udupi, will conclude with the valedictory function on Thursday, June 15. To mark the completion of its 100th year of existence as a premier healthcare institution, the hospital will also be dedicating its new CT scan unit. With the new GE 32 Slice Aspire CT Scan installed at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore, the hospital will provide this hi-tech diagnostic facility to the people of Udupi at an affordable cost,” said Dr Sushil Jathanna, director, Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, during a press conference held at Udupi. 

“The valedictory event will begin with a thanksgiving service, which will be led by Victor, vice president, CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese (KSD), at 2.30 pm, in the Mission Hospital Chapel. This will be followed by a ceremonial procession, which will commence at 4.00 pm at Christian High School and conclude at the Mission Hospital," he added.

The main function will be held at 5 pm on the Lombard Memorial Hospital premises. The new CT scan unit will be inaugurated by the Rt Hemachandra Kumar, Bishop of Karnataka Southern Diocese. Dr Paul C Salins, medical director, NH Shaw Mazumdar Medical Centre, Bengaluru, will be the chief guest. Dr Sushil Jathanna, director, Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, will preside over the function. Jayakar Shetty, president, Udupi District Cooperative Union, Vincent Palanna, treasurer, KSD, Vishal Shiri, president, UBMC, Mumbai, Noel Amanna, vice president, National Council of YMCA, William Carey, secretary, KSD and  Ramesh Kanchan, president, Udupi Block Congress Committee, will be esteemed guests of honour.

The centenary year celebration of Lombard Memorial Hospital was launched on June 15, 2022, and a wide variety of developmental activities were held throughout the last year. Nursing College Block, Advanced Laparoscopic and Laser Surgery Centre, 'Vatsalya' Palliative Care Centre, Sewage Treatment Plant, and new fire safety equipment have been added. Free medical camps, community outreach clinics at Al Falah Community Clinic, Belapu, Kaup, blood donation camps, prayer retreats, an inter-church music competition, and an inter-church throw ball tournament for ladies have been organized. Academic conferences and CMES for doctors, RAPCON, the microbiology workshop, and the OSCE regional workshop have been conducted. The Healing Rain Concert was held last week.

Founded on June 15, 1923, Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Coastal Karnataka, and perhaps the first mother-and-child focused unit in the region. It was founded by Dr Eva Lombard, a young Swiss missionary doctor, who wanted to serve the poor and downtrodden people of the region.

Beginning with just six beds, the hospital at present has a capacity of 125 beds with all major specialties and facilities like 24x7 Casualty, Intensive Care Unit, Operation Theatre, Labour Theatre, X-ray unit and Pharmacy along with Dialysis Unit, General Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Anesthesia, Nephrology, Cardiology, ENT, Dental, Orthopedics, Ayurveda and Dermatology. With over one lac square feet of built-up area, the hospital is served by a team of 170 staff, including dedicated doctors, trained and experienced nurses, and paramedical workers.

The hospital also runs five educational institutions offering courses in nursing and paramedical sciences to about 350 students, as well as a kindergarten school. Its community- based initiatives include Karunalaya, a geriatric nursing care centre  Sahajeevana, an old age home and 'Vatsalya' Palliative Care Centre. The hospital conducts 20-25 free medical camps every year.

Announcing the Ccntenary Vision, Dr Sushil Jathanna said, “Mission Hospital is embarking on a new journey of expansion and specialisation with three clear objectives. Firstly, to develop into a super specialty hospital with plans to open an infertility clinic, neonatal unit, cardiac cath lab and cancer services in the near future. Secondly, to expand its educational base with more courses in nursing and allied health sciences, with a view to eventually establishing a medical college under its banner in Udupi. This will provide a new avenue for the youth of Udupi to pursue high quality medical education. And finally, to offer more community-based services like Home Care Services and Outreach Clinics in the rural areas of Udupi. The objective is to establish Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital as a super specialty hospital, a provider of high-quality education and a hospital without borders."

Roohi Jattanna, community services head and public relations officer Dr Ganesh Kamath, senior physician Deena Prabhavathi, administrative officer Dr Suja Karkada, principal Lombard Nursing college were present on the occasion.