Though the Mission Hospital at Karakonam at its inception was an integral part of the Neyyoor Medical Mission, the hospital was destined to have an independent history. The story of Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Mission Hospital begins in 1959 with the bifurcation of the South Travancore Diocese into the Kanyakumari Diocese and the South Kerala Diocese consequent to the formation of linguistic states.

 

 

The Kanyakumari Diocese came under the state of Tamil Nadu and the South Kerala Diocese under the State of Kerala. When the assets of the two dioceses were partitioned, the Mission Hospital at Karakonam was given to the Kanyakumari diocese, though geographically the hospital was within the Southernmost boundary of the South Kerala Diocese. Naturally this status created certain administrative problems. The hospital that was in a poor condition was left without any one to care for.  In 1968 January, there was large-scale encroachment into the hospital property, which resulted in civil cases. Though the Court judged in favour of the Diocese, there was no proper machinery to implement the Court verdict or to evacuate the encroachers.

In utter dejection, both the dioceses decided to sell the hospital and adjacent properties and to share proceeds between the dioceses.  Once again, there were impediments in selling the land. The Medical Mission at Neyyoor expressed their inability to take over the Karakonam dispensary.

 

Growth - UPS and downs
Impressed by the gratitude the South Kerala Medical Mission had shown to the great services of Dr. Somervell, Mrs. Somervell used her good offices to persuade the 'Council for World Mission (CWM - formerly LMS) to grant a financial aid to the Somervell Memorial Hospital at Karakonam. The officers of the CWM contacted Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. I. Jesudasan and an amount of Rs. 40,000 was sent to him as an advance for a bigger help. The amount, in those days was quite substantial to the Hospital. The money was used to procure the much needed X-ray unit and some other equipments. A mobile Medical Unit was organized to take the medical aid to the poor in the neighbourhood of the hospital.

The Secretary of the Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI) encouraged the Medical Mission to concentrate on Rural Medical  aid projects.      Dr. R.N.Yesudas, the Secretary of the SKMM at that time and                                    Mrs. Dr. Santha Yesudas, one of our medical officers prepared a Project for Rural Medical Services and Bishop Jesudasan presented it to a donor agency  (ICCA) in Netherlands. The Project found favour with the donor agencies and with the money granted  several Rural Health Centres were opened and very useful awareness programmes were organized.

Though the programmes gained popularity and the base Hospital at Karakonam showed signs of growth, a steady progress could not be achieved as the medical officers appointed in this hospital did not stick on. The result was disappointing set backs suffered by the hospital that once had shown promises of growth.

A TURNING POINT
By this time, in 1986, a new team of office bearers took over the reins of the South Kerala Diocese and the Medical Mission.  Rev. Dr. J.W.Gladstone (our present Bishop), Vice-Chairman, Dr. S. Devanesan, Secretary of the Diocese, Dr. Samson Nessiah, Director of the SKMM, Dr. Stanley Jones, Secretary of the SKMM, and Mr. Johnson, Treasurer.  The year turned out to be a turning point in the history of the Hospital. On the 16th of October, 1986, Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr. I.Jesudasan appointed Dr. Bennet Abraham as one of the Medical Officers of the Hospital. Dr. Mrs.Jameela Bennet was appointed on 20th April 1988. It has to be acknowledged that the convergence of this team marked  a decisive turning point in the history of Dr. Somervell Memorial CSI Mission Hospital. The team had the spirit and the will to proceed with the restoration of the hospital against all odds. Their concerted efforts started yielding encouraging results. During 1986 - 87, for the first time, the Hospital was able to procure equipments worth Rupees Ten Lakhs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Adversities pursued the Hospital. In 1989 Dr. Bennet Abraham and Dr. Jameela proceeded to Vellore for their Post Graduate studies causing a dullness in the progress of the Hospital. They returned on 18th April 1994 after their P.G. studies. Under the strong pressure of the general public of Karakonam, these two postgraduate doctors were appointed at Karakonam. The sacrificial services of these two doctors using the scanty facilities available, took the hospital gradually to popularity and made it a haven for the poor sick people of this remote village where today, a Medical College has been established.

As the number of patients increased more and more doctors were appointed. Dr. S.Baburaj the present Medical Superintendent and a very famous pediatrician,   and Dr. Punithan, the cheerful and skilled surgeon were there to work with the same spirit along with Dr. Bennet.

There are several incidents to illustrate the selfless, dedicated services rendered by the doctors and other members of the staff utilizing the meagre facilities, inadequate supply of medicines and  nominal salaries.

 

 

SUBSTANTIAL HELP FROM UNEXPECTED SOURCES
The dedicated team of office bearers who did not have any interest other than the development and growth of the Karakonam hospital, kept their eyes and ears open to find out and identify possible sources of help, big or small.

 

 

 

 

The major source of help was the Medical Mission Team attached to the Methodist Church of Albany based  in South West Georgia (USA). The team used to visit Neyyoor from 1984 onwards. During their visits they used to stay at Neyyoor for a few days giving free treatment to patients and offered monetary assistance for the development of the hospital.