Six memorable decades have passed since the hospital of Our Lady of Health came into being. This hospital has been grown from its humble origin into a Multispeciality reputable one, sought after by the poor and middle class people. Our Lady of Health Hospital was the brain child of His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. R. A. Sundaram, the first Bishop of Thanjavur. He felt that there was a crying need for a hospital in the out skirts of Thanjavur where quality health care should be made available to the poor and underprivileged. He put up a small building with 16 beds as a maternity clinic. At the invitation of the bishop, the sisters of the Salesion Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) gladly took up the management of the hospital.
The 5th April 1961 was a red letter day in the annals of Our Lady of Health Hospital as it was the day on which it was Blessed by His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. R. A. Sundaram, and opened by Mrs. Lourdammal Simon, then Minister of Local Administration, Tamilnadu.
It is noteworthy that the hospital which began with 16 beds, is at present well equipped 300 bedded Multispeciality Hospital with State-of-the-Art Technology. The credit of the growth and development of the hospital mainly goes to the top level management of the Diocese of Tanjore Society especially Most Rev. Dr. R. A. Sundaram, Most Rev. Dr. Packiam Arockia Samy, Most Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose, Bishops of Thanjavur and Very Rev. Dr. L. Sagayaraj, the Diocesan Administrator, together with the eminent leadership and administration of the sisters of SMMI Congregation, with their selfless and dedicated service for the past 62 years.
The vision and efforts of the Bishop of Thanjavur Most Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose reached in its hights at the creation of a Nursing school and college of nursing with adequate hostel facilities in 2007 as annexure to Our Lady of Health Hospital, which adds lustre and utility to the hospital where the Nursing students are given practical training. Today the hospital stands as a beacon of light, spreading the message of God’s unconditional Love for all His children.
May each one experience God’s compassionate healing touch in our lives.
