Christian Hospital Chandraghona, in the south east of Bangladesh, celebrated its centenary last weekend (7-9 December). Nearly 20 current and past BMS mission personnel, including one of this year's Action Teams, joined other guests from the UK, Japan, India and Bangladesh to give thanks to God for the story of Chandraghona Hospital.
Founded by BMS in 1907, the hospital has grown from humble beginnings as a simple dispensary to the modern mission hospital it is today.
A 120-bed general hospital, 60-bed leprosy centre, a thriving community health programme and nurses training institute, all comprise the present day Chandraghona Hospital.
Dr Michael Flowers, former BMS Medical Director at CHC, and Dr Stephen Chowdhury, the current Medical Director, unveil the foundation stone of the new hospital chapel
Chief guest was government minister Mr Tapan Chowdhury, a Christian, who spoke of his own childhood memories of visiting Chandraghona for a youth camp. Other guests included Mr Joyanto Adhikari, President of the Bangladesh Baptist Sangha (Union), Rev Milton Biswas, Baptist Sangha General Secretary, Ambassadors of the Netherlands and the European Union, and the heads of Unicef and UNFPA in Bangladesh.
Situated strategically on the river Karnaphuli where the Bangladesh plains meet the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the location of the hospital was chosen so that both Bengalis and tribal groups from the hills could reach the hospital. Tribal groups in the area include Khyang, Chakma, Tripura and Mong.
The three-day event included an exhibition charting the story of the hospital through two wars that impacted on the life of the hospital - the second world war, and later the 1971 war for independence from Pakistan.
Remembering that occasion, the now-retired medical director Dr Swehlamong Chowdhury recalled how BMS missionaries had stayed in 1971 even when the British High Commission offered them one last chance to leave. "After this you either walk or swim," they said, but BMS missionaries Jean Westlake (now Jean Samuel), Christine Preston, John Davies, Marion Crawford and Bryan Whitty remained. Dr Chowdhury also stayed, and paid tribute to those who had been willing to give their lives in support of those they came to serve.
Current Medical Director, Dr Mong Stephen Chowdhury, described the exciting developments taking place especially in the community health programme. He also spoke of the challenges faced by Bangladesh today and asked Baptist churches in the UK to go on praying for the work of the hospital.
David Kerrigan, BMS Director for Mission, warmly affirmed the theme of the opening service of the weekend, that of Jesus as the great healer. "We have been reminded that Jesus not only healed the sick and gave sight to the blind, but he also restored people to a right relationship to the Father. That remains the unique ministry that only a Christian hospital can offer."
The weekend included the presentation of a lifetime achievement award to Dr Swehlamong Chowdhury, and the laying of the foundation stone for the Chandraghona Centenary Chapel, which will be built in the coming months.
The stone was laid by former BMS missionary Dr Michael Flowers, who served as medical director at Chandraghona from 1960-1970 and received an MBE in 2007 for charitable services to Yorkshire and Bangladesh. He has also led several BMS Medical Teams to Chandraghona.
BMS currently have two people serving at Chandraghona, Les and Fiona Allan, and regularly send Medical Teams for periods of two to three weeks.
The CHC buildings