Frances Newton Hospital
by Christie McKittrick
Contact Information:
Dr. Richard David, Director/Medical Superintendent
Frances Newton Hospital
Post Box - 20
Firozpur Cantt – 152001
Punjab, India
About the Hospital:
Frances Newton Hospital in Firozpur, India, began in 1894 as a women and children’s hospital. Today, over 100 years later, the 300-bed general hospital is still the only well-equipped civilian hospital in an area with a population of 3,000,000 people. The present director of the hospital is Dr. Richard David, an Indian Christian. He spoke in worship at BAPC on October 26, 1997, and he will be returning to the BAPC pulpit again in the fall of 2004.
Dr. Dorothy Lee Ferris, a former member of BAPC, served for 35 years (1936-1971) as a medical missionary to Frances Newton Hospital in Firozpur, India, and we continue to support the hospital today. When she arrived in 1936 there were 50 beds and 20 nurses. When she left in 1971 she expanded the hospital to include 300 beds, 17 doctors and 160 students in the well-established School of Nursing.
BAPC Involvement:
BAPC has a long-standing history of mission work associated with Frances Newton Hospital. Unwanted babies were brought to the hospital and given the last name of Newton. Many stayed at the hospital until they were grown up. Women at BAPC sewed baby quilts for every new baby at the hospital. In the fall of 2004, BAPC will present Dr. Richard David with a $20,000 check to further expand and improve the hospital.
Eleina Innis, daughter of Les and Ruth Innis, spent the summer in India with Dr. Dorothy.
For further information, you could contact one of our own congregation members: Dottie Durham at (513) 791-4473 or Teddi Bittmann at (513) 791-5106.
How to Volunteer:
Financial support is welcome through a cashier’s check made payable to Frances Newton Hospital.