Women of Strength: The Doctors of John Bishop Memorial Hospital( JBMH) . Anantnag – Kashmir

It was a wonderful feeling to head back to Kashmir. I spend my early childhood in Srinagar and was fortunate enough to have some time at hand to revisit places still fresh in my memories from about two decades ago!

The hospital I was there to visit is located in the town of Anantnag , about 64 kms from Srinagar which is the biggest city in the Kashmir Valley . The two weeks spent there, interacting with the staff was a fruitful and encouraging experience. The Hospital admin was kind enough to give me access to the reports dating back to the 1930’s. Some were hand written, some typed; there were annual reports, articles and letters penned by the medical superintendents who served here.

JBM Hospital stands as a testament to the faith, courage, devotion and service of remarkable women both British and Indian, who used their medical knowledge for the service of the people, especially the women of Anantnag and its neighbouring villages. Starting from Dr. Minnie Gomery (1902 -1935) to Dr Sarah (1997 onwards till date) they have pressed on in face of often overwhelming odds.

The history of the hospital predates its establishment in its current location in 1902. In 1888 Mrs. Isabella Bird , the widow of Dr. John Bishop travelled to Srinagar where she found Dr. Fanny Butler, one of England’s pioneer women doctors, working among the women of the Valley without a hospital as a base to serve. Through her generosity a small hospital was built in memory of her late husband. Sadly however, not many years later a disastrous flood in the Valley swept this hospital away.

The hospital built later has CMS origins and is now an institution of the CNI – Amritsar Diocese.

Dr. Gomery began work in 1902 when the new hospital building was still under construction. After many years of pioneering service she retired in 1938. In that year Dr. Noel Fletcher took over as the Medical Superintendent of the hospital and served through the Second World War, dealing with shortages and overcoming the challenges, before retiring in 1964. She was followed by Dr. M. Mitchell who after a few years handed over to Dr. Millicent Xavier who became the first national Medical Superintendent. Dr. Xavier served till 1989.

The phase from 1989 until 1996 was marked by short term commitments by different doctors. From 1992 to 1996 there was no doctor at the hospital. This phase coincided with the most violent phase of the armed insurgency and military action in the valley.

Dr. Sarah took over as the Medical superintendent in 1997. She arrived at a time when the hospital was struggling with no doctors and was having trouble providing for even the basic medical needs of the community. Though the work remains challenging today, the initial period was significantly hard and a test to her faith and determination.

For an institution to be truly effective an essential requisite is the passion and commitment of the staff and that is something which the people at JBMH have. Challenges are many and so are the needs. The most important of which is another resident female gynaecologist who could take on some of the workload of Dr. Sarah.

Back in New Delhi now and getting on with other tasks and hope we could , Lord willing , stand with this hospital .