Short History

A short history of
Bethania Hospital, Sialkot

“Bethania today is a 49 bed front line and referral

                                      Hospital, providing Medical and Surgical Services

                                          for its Primary Health Care Programme”.

The founder of Bethania Hospital, Fr. Ligori, a Catholic missionary, while serving in Sialkot during 1950’s found sick persons everywhere and especially those with tuberculosis, who had neither information nor resources, to get the treatment. Moreover, Sialkot, though being a thickly populated district lacked public health services. Fr. Ligori felt that he had to do something to save so many lives; and thus on 4^th August 1964 set up a small clinic and a dispensary with the intentions of making it a Hospital. Fr. Ligori‘s commitment earned the respect and support of so many friends, who made it possible to buy some land to raise a proper clinic and dispensary.

In September 1966, three Belgain Nurses Sr. Rosa Vierendeels. Jeanne Heyvaert and Monique Boone were the first to come and care the growing number of patients.

This paved way for the birth of a 50 bed General Ward in 1967. In 1969, Dr. Demuynck arrived from Belgium to be the Medical Superintend and in the same year, a 40 Bed TB ward was also installed with the generous support of innumerable well- wishers.

In 1976, with the joining of two Doctors Marc and Solange Claerbout, a new facet was added to the hospital “THE RURAL HEALTH CARE”. The impact of the hospital widened with these doorstep services for preventive Health Education, mother and Child Care and under Five CLINIC, provided to most needy people in the less fortunate villages. This necessitated a new Block which was added in 1979 to house 50 TB Patients and the primary Health care Activities.

In 1980’s Fr. Ligori’s dream and prayers became a reality, when on the request of Bishop of Armando Trindade, Four sisters of “St. John of God” arrived from Australia to take over the professional nursing care. To fortify the services of Bethania, another Sister, (also from St. John of God Congregation) Sr. Isobel Moran, a physician from Australia, joined the team in 1982 to be the Medical Director. Many leaps and jumps have been significant during her decade, but the most awaited and longed for being the New Hospital Building and well-equipped operating Theatres to handle all types of emergencies. By the grace of God this has been completed in 1992 with the help and efforts of many friends and organizations.

Bethania Hospital serves without any distinction of caste colour or creed.

Recognizing the services of Bethania Hospital, the federal Board of Revenue,

Government of Pakistan approved it as a Charitable Institution in April 1991.

Directors

Rev.Fr. Ligori Jassen (founder)                         (1964-1985)

Rev.Fr. Eubert Pollentier                            (1985-1989)

Rev. Fr. Emile Gerard Deprez                    (1989-1992)

Maj. Eric Joseph                                            (1992-1993)

Col. L.C Rath                                             (1993-2000)

Cdr. Frank Joseph                                               (2000-2014)

Rev. Fr. Robin Bashir                                (2014-2016)

Rev. Fr. Inayat Bernard                                       (2016-till to date)