Thu May 22 16:35:05 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
**Summary:**
The article chronicles the history of the Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) in Putheri, near Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India. Starting in 1893 as a modest dispensary serving the poor, it grew into a full-fledged hospital and nursing school thanks to the efforts of missionaries like Captain Henry John Andrews and Dr. Percy Turner, with support from the Travancore royal family. The hospital played a crucial role in combating cholera outbreaks and, significantly, provided educational opportunities, particularly in nursing, to members of Scheduled Castes, leading to their social and economic upliftment. More recently, the hospital has been involved in the care of HIV/AIDS patients.
**News Article:**
**Salvation Army Hospital in Tamil Nadu Celebrates Legacy of Healing and Social Upliftment**
*Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu* – The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital (CBH) in Putheri, near Nagercoil, is celebrating a long and impactful history of providing healthcare and empowering marginalized communities in the region. What began as a small dispensary in 1893 has grown into a vital medical institution with a profound social legacy.
The hospital’s origins trace back to Captain Henry John Andrews, a missionary officer who began treating the poor from a modest veranda. His dedication and practical medical skills drew patients from miles around and laid the groundwork for the CBH. Recognizing his efforts, the Salvation Army supported Andrews in obtaining further medical training.
A pivotal moment came with the arrival of Dr. Percy Turner, the organization’s first qualified medical doctor, who transformed the dispensary into a comprehensive health resource in 1901. The hospital played a critical role in containing cholera outbreaks in the area. Further development of the hospital included support from the Travancore royal family.
Beyond medical care, the CBH made a revolutionary contribution by establishing a nursing school. This provided educational opportunities, particularly for young men and women from Scheduled Castes, who often faced discrimination elsewhere. Rexi Gnanabhai, a former nursing student, recalls the CBH as a place free of caste barriers.
“My days as a nursing student at the CBH was the golden period of my life as there were no caste barriers there,” she says. Many graduates went on to successful careers in healthcare.
In recent decades, the hospital has also been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS care, providing treatment and support to patients and their families. The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital continues to serve as a beacon of hope and healing, demonstrating the enduring power of compassion and community service.
First Piper 