** About Us **
The Presbyterian Hospital, situated at Durtlang is a Secondary level, multispeciality Hospital, wholly owned and run by the Mizoram Presbyterian Church. The Hospital Was established in 6th March 1928. The Hospital has a long history. from a humble beginning of few beds to the present state of 300 beds with every specialty.
Earlier known as the 'Welsh Mission Hospital' later renamed to 'The Presbyterian Church Synod Hospital' then Changed again to 'Presbyterian Hospital'
The Hospital is situated at Durtlang Village which lies at the northern outskirt of Aizawl City. The village lies at an altitude of about 4538ft high. The atmosphere here is always pleasant from being cool in summers to a bit chilly in the winters.
Derhken Tlang, is the name of the hill on which the Hospital is now standing. The hill used to be covered with Marigold (Derhken) flower, hence the name.
The hospital is till date running as a charitable hospital. It is no doubt Mizoram is still a very poor state both in infrastructure and monetary wise, there are thousands of people who could not afford even basic health facilities, it is the aim of this hospital to provide this Quality health Care to all the people at minimum possible cost. Making the Base hospital here at Durtlang, the hospital has plenty of outreach to even the remotest places, where even vehicles could not reach. Regular Mobile Clinics are held at different places in the far flung villages in nonprofit no loss basis, the Hospital Doctors would provide these people with health care to the best they can, and also providing them with basic health education, from maternity and child health to infectious diseases.
History Of Presbyterian Hospital, Mizoram
** History of The Hospital **
The History of the Presbyterian Hospital can be divided into two periods, viz: (1) Under the Welsh Mission 91928-1958) and (2) From the time it was handed over to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church in 1958 to the present.
Rev.D.E.Jones the first Welsh Missionary who came to Mizoram used to tend on the Sick as best as he could even though he is not a qualified doctor. Consequently on his return from furlough in 1908 he brought along with him Dr.Peter Fraser, B.Sc, M.D and his wife.
On his arrival Dr.Fraser opened a clinic above the Mission veng Church where a bungalow now stands. Many patients came to him and was often called upon to visit patients at home. He treated around 24,000 patients during the first year of his stay, which clearly testify the need of Doctor for the Mizos. In 1910 he opened a dispensary and kept some beds ready in it for those who needed admission.
Rev. E.L.Mendus was the missionary in charge of education in Mizoram, he was greatly grieved for the forced return of Dr.Fraser at the time when people started to realize that illness was not due to forces of evil but could be cured with medicines. Late night in 1923 he was about to write something in connection with education he was distracted by a far cry of patients in despair in far off villages saying
"Is there any Doctor?"
"Isn't there even one nurse?"
"Save us and help us"
He was moved by the cry and he could not think of anything else as he was going to bed he repeated
"Hospital, Hospital"
"How great is the need of a Hospital" (These words are recorded in his diary)
** HOSPITAL AT DURTLANG **
Dr.John Williams, L.M.P arrived in Mizoram on 22 February 1928 and settled at Durtlang.With the help of only two trained staff viz: D.Thianga Compounder and Tlawmkungi Staff Nurse, he converted the old Theological Scholl building and used it for the hospital and the hospital beds were procured from the old hostel and thus with the admission of the first patient on 6th March 1928 the Durtlang Hospital was inaugurated and named as the 'Welsh Mission Hospital'
On the 1st February 1924 the Welsh Mission Hospital recruited its first Mizo Doctor- Dr.H K Thanglura.In July Dr.R.K Nghakliana joined after completing his MBBS .The political climate in the country began to forebode uncertainty for the Missionaries. It became clear that the era of Missionaries was coming to end. Anticipating this the welsh mission in Mizoram handed over the ownership and management of the hospital including the land and, buildings and all assets to the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Mizoram on 28th February 1958 thus the name changed to ' Presbyterian Church Synod Hospital'
We have to learn a great deal from the lives and witness of these missionaries and take the challenge not only to hold the foundation which they have laid but to continue and build upon it.
