Kangpokpi Christian Hospital

KANGPOKPI CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL
By Mang Khongsai on Monday, 24 September 2012 at 00:16

KANGPOKPI CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL , MANIPUR.
(Estd.1920)


Kangpokpi Christian Hospital was called Mission Hospital Manipur at first but changed to the present name in 1957 - 58. It was established by the pioneer American Baptist Foreign missionaries way back in 1920 after the Ist world war. Dr. G.G.Crozier and his wife were the founders.They were sent from Tura, Assam to help Rev. W.Pettigrew in his mission work who already set up the centre at Kangpokpi mission compound which was shifted from Ukhrul. It is 45 kms from Imphal the capital of Manipur on the N.H. 39, 3kms northern side amidst green tropical forest with pleasant climate all through the year. The mission compound has its water supply source a spring never run dry or muddy even in adverse weather.

The Area covers an area of 204.5 acres granted by the Maharaja of Manipur and Darbar for the establishment of mission programmes like hospital,Leprosy-works, and school on a lease basis since its establishment. The lease eventually extended for a period of 99 years since 1980 till 2079. Land revenue regularly paid to settlement deptt.Manipur annually uptodate. Necessary arrangement undertaken to convert the lease to permanent ownership. The process is going on CBCNEI is keen to handover the land under the care of MBC and it will be soon finalised.

The Mission centre was known all over Manipur state for its medical works and other mission activities at that period of time. Leprosy treatment centre was known for its yeoman service. However, the centre has to be closed down in 1968. There is still a place at the north eastern side called Leprosy colony,now occupied by the High school.Orphanage was also opened, many destitute children were given sheltered and education. After Dr.G.G.Crozier left the hospital in 1931 other missionary doctors came and serve here. Dr.Werillius MD and Dr.Ahlquist MD succeeded him but the hospital has to be closed during the IInd world war (1943 to 1946). However, after the war Dr.F.Curry MD was sent from Jorhat Christian Hospital to revive the hospital. He was an experienced surgeon,Gynaecologist and the name of the hospital became more and more popular. After spending here for over eight fruitful years,he has to leave Kangpokpi as his staying permit was not extended by the Government of India, that was in 1956.As foreign missionaries could not stay any longer in this part of the country responsibilities felt in the hands of national doctors eventually Dr.W.G.Momin and his wife were sent from Jorhat Christian hospital to look after the hospital works in 1956. Till that time the overall management matter was under the care of ABFMS-Jorhat Christian Hospital.During this period surgeons from Jorhat Christian -hospital used to visit Kangpokpi Christian hospital and assisted Dr.W.G.Momin in his works. However,Dr.W.G.Momin was not keeping a sound health and could not rendered service to the hospital satisfactorily and has to retire from the service in 1968.After his retirement different doctors were sent but no one was permanently willing to stay. Finally Dr.A.Hrahsel and his wife has to be sent to take over the hospital work, that was in 1971, as Medical superintendent.Also the transitional period where the ABFMS name being changed to CBCNEI and the hospital became one of the medical insititution under CBCNEI,Head Quarter at Guwahati,Assam.

Dr.A.Hrahsel was an experienced surgeon and his wife a dedicated staff of Jorhat tried their level best to revitalised the works of the hospital and improvement was seen in all areas of its activities- Construction of new building in 1986, levelling of football ground, construction of OPD building, construction of two doctor quarter,widening and repairing of approach road under taken and many many more works done so that we are at this stage.Middle school opened for the staff children whichwas upgraded to the High school level. Seeing the need and far a way of upliftment of the tribal girls in the field of educationand employment, a nursing school was established rendering training for Female -Health Worker (ANM). So far more than 300 nurses already graduated from the Nursing school. The school is recognised by the Assam Nurses’ Midwives’ Council since 1982. Many of our graduated nurses several either in the government or private hospitals doing a great service wherever they are. These nurses were drawn from different north eastern states-Mizoram,Nagaland even from Myanmar. The hospital is self-support, income mainly from patients, in-patient,operation, Lab.fees etc and also from BIM-USA which taken care of many of our needs since many years.Without their assistance we could never reach this stage. The Hospital is under Medical Board of CBCNEI and day to day administra-tion is under the Administrative Committee appointed by the MBC and CBCNEI. We have already celebrated Diamond Jubilee 60th years in 1980,and still rendering medical service to the needy in the name of God. There are 40 beds with 20 devoted workers who belonged to different communities, 4(four) doctors one visiting consultant. The student nurses are at present 56 in -number and our annual intake being 20 students from Baaptist churches,few from other. The hospital owns two paddy fields, 50 acres thatches farm, 5 fishery ponds and horticulture farms(200 Yongchak and pine trees).The hospital has a full time chaplain who involved in the over all spiritual nurturing activities. Hospital workers are involved in the mission compound chapel activities whenever necessary.

THE FOLLOWING NEW QUIPMENTS/MACHINES ARE ADDED WITHIN THIS YEAR
(a) Ultrasonography machine portable costing 4 lakhs bought with contribution from BIM(USA) and donation/offering from well wishers of different churches.
(b) Generator Kirlosker 10 KVA installed as stand by for power supply in the ward and operation theatre.
(c) Opening of Community Health Centre at Chingloubung 10 Kms from Kangpokpi Mission Compound. (d) Arrangement made - the service of Surgeons available on appointment if and when necessary. This programme is to enhance the treatment facilities available in the hospital. The Hospital and its ministry is now over 80 years. The future is depending upon us. As we are celebrating this Golden Jubilee of National leadership let our spirit be stirred afresh,our responsibilities understood, our Vision clear, forgetting the past and strived forward doing good as our Master wants us to do at all times(Gal.6:9)

WHEN AND HOW DID IT GET STARTED :
The Kangpokpi Christian Hospital (KCH) was established by the American Baptist missionaries in 1920 after the Ist World War. Dr. G.G. Crozier and his wife were the founders. They were sent from Tura,Assam to help Rev. W. Pettigrew in the mission field.A Leprosy treatment centre was opened and a Leprosy colony built. Orphanage was opened and many destitute children given shelter and education. The mission centre thus became well known all over Manipur and neighbouring country of Myanmar for its medical works and other activities. After Dr. G.G. Crozier left in 1931, Dr. Werillius MD and Dr. Ahlquist MD succeeded him. However, the Hospital had to close down during the IInd World War (1943 - 46). After the war, Dr. F.Curry MD, an experienced Surgeon/Gynaecologist was sent from Jorhat.The hospital gained even more acceptance during his over 8 fruitful years’ service.In 1956 however,he had to leave Kangpokpi, as his staying permit was not extended by the Govt. of India.As foreign missionaries could not stay any longer, the responsibility fell on national doctors - Dr. WG. Momin, Dr. A.Hrahsel and Dr. Th.gangte have all served the cause.

THE SERVICES PROVIDED AND THE SPECIFIC NEEDS :
We work predominantly among tribals of the Hills of Manipur which have poor communication and connectivity with the big Centres. The majority of people are poor economically with little means of going to Imphal the capital City for treatment which is incidentally only 45 kms away but takes Two and Half hours by bus due to bad roads. Alternatively, hiring a Vehicle costs approx.Rs:1000/-. Our Operation theatre is the only one functioning beyond Imphal along the Highway to Kohima, Nagaland (Approx. 150 kms).Further, we provide Laboratory, X-ray, Ultrasonography services for which Imphal is the only other option for patients.We, alongwith the govt. health centres work together in the field of Immunization,Safe Motherhood etc.Community outreach programme through sub-centres and Health Camps are done. Particular mention is made of the progress is made in implementation of the National Health Programmes through the Sub-centre, located at T.Lamzang village (covering 5 neighbouring villages).This, where self medication was widely practised and general health consciousness was very poor. We are indebted to the IM and the American Baptist Churches for the concern in this Medical ministry and all help rendered both monetary and prayer support.