About us

The “Mission Hospital” (in 1915) had several wards with accommodation for about 70 in-patients of all classes of people, irrespective of caste and creed. One of the chief features was for Gosha patients where curtains for privacy surrounded every bed. Also, small separate rooms meant for patients from other distant parts of the state and ‘family’ wards were provided. There was a large Operation Theatre with up-to-that-date features. They were those days’ attractions that had gained great popularity, besides great service. In 1928 alone, 1,648 in-patients and 11,817 out-patients were treated and the total attendances were 48,097. By then, there were facilities for 100 in-patients indicating the rapid growth of the Hospital. Lamps and apparatus for ultra-violet ray treatment had been added and staffed with European and Indian doctors and nurses. Two of its fine band of doctors, Dr.Alexander and Dr.Anne Hardy Banks, who gave all they had to give, brilliant gifts and tender service in the 1920s, must be remembered here. They died as a result of over-working, in unceasing efforts to heal and help the sick and suffering. Constance Parsons writes in his book Mysore City: “The hospital is a great memorial to a lovely life; and no less to the generosity and untiring efforts of the Rev. G.W.Sawday.” Rev. Sawday served tirelessly in Mysore for more than 50 years. In fact, Rev. Sawday, in addition to his multifarious duties, planned and built, and was responsible for collecting subscriptions, with the exception of the Govt. grant, for its regular maintenance.

The Mysore Royal Family lent its valuable support with generous donations to the cause and saw that it was on a sound financial footing. When visiting Mysore, before the opening of the Hospital, the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward and Queen Alexandra) on their visit to Mysore were much interested in the progress of work towards the hospital and to evince their sympathy, had sent large autographed portraits to the Hospital for the opening ceremony as they could not visit. Subsequently, King George V and Queen Mary sent theirs.

The Maharaja also gave to the hospital a large handsome picture of himself. HH Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV in his Opening Ceremony Speech appreciated and admired the yeoman services of Rev. Sawday and his fellow workers. “The Wesleyan Mission are old friends of us all in Mysore. They were the pioneers of modern education in the City and their good works are well-known to everyone …..” He also went on to request, after announcing a munificent donation of Rs.10,000/- from Her Highness the Maharani of Mysore, the charitably disposed of citizens of Mysore to contribute generously.

The solid foundation built then has taken the Hospital where it is today and the good services have been ceaselessly carried on for a hundred years. On a personal note, I have two lucky privileges: “experiencing” the Hospital’s tender service, having been born thereafter its golden jubilee year, and living next to what is known as the “Sawday House”, a famous landmark since my great grandfather’s time! Our house used to be identified as the one next to Sawday House. The Hospital has now greatly grown in stature and reputation. As coincidence would have it, its recognition as a Scientific & Industrial Research Organization by the Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India comes as a fitting tribute during its Centenary Year. The Highness while declaring the hospital open, had said “I pray that under the Divine blessing, the aspirations of its founders may be fulfilled a thousand-fold.” Truly, the great King’s prayers and the efforts of the selfless Rev. Sawday, et al, have not gone in vain. Will never, in spite of the emergence of competition from other commercial medical giants.

C.S.I. Holdsworth Memorial Hospital aims to commit to the development of total health in the spirit of Christ. This implies not merely training in the professional skills but also refining their attitudes and character. The students and staff are expected to maintain a high standard in their personal and professional lives.

Ownership and Management

The hospital belongs to the Church of South India and to the CSI Synod Trust Association, Chennai. It was registered as a society in 1974 with its own Constitution and Byelaws. The Board of Management, which meets twice a year, lays down the principles for management on a yearly basis. The hospital also has an Executive committee to oversee its regular progress.

The hospital is a self–supporting, self–reliant institution and is totally managed indigenously. The hospital runs on a no-profit-no-loss basis, as the hospital’s aim is to provide high-quality service to a largely poorer section of the community. Being a charitable hospital the institution accepts donations in the form of equipment and all donations in cash are exempted from income tax under Sec. 80G and Sec. 17(2)(ii)(b). The hospital has been recognized by various central and state government organizations and private bodies for providing health care to their workers