Foundations in Neempani

1886

Swedish Reverend Evert ("Padre Sahib") and his wife arrived in the village of Neempani under the Swedish Evangelical Mission (EFS). Starting out in a tent, they established the initial mission, building residences, a church, and a boys' boarding school.

First Dispensary & Naming of Padhar

1913

After Rev. Evert successfully healed the village headman's son, the grateful headman donated land for a medical dispensary. With his blessing, the growing mission village was renamed Padhar.

Arrival of Dr. Clement Moss

1958

Having served among the Gond tribes and subsequently earned his medical degree from Brown Memorial Medical College in Ludhiana, Dr. Clement Moss arrived in Padhar to lead the medical work. He expanded the dispensary into a working hospital by installing running water, a generator for electricity, an X-ray machine, and an operating theater.

Opening of the Purpose-Built Hospital

1970

With a major development grant from the Lutheran World Federation, a new, larger hospital building was constructed and opened across the road. Dr. Arvind Victor Choudhrie joined the team around this time to develop the surgical department.

Multidisciplinary Expansion

1975

Dr. A. V. Choudhrie was appointed as the second Medical Superintendent, transforming the facility into a multidisciplinary care center targeting malnutrition, preventable blindness, and tetanus. Meanwhile, Dr. Moss spearheaded community initiatives, including a school for the blind and a deep-well drilling project to address severe water shortages.

Advanced Surgical & Community Services

1986

Dr. Vincent K. Solomon took over as Medical Superintendent. Under his guidance, the hospital introduced advanced services including joint replacements, an ICU, dialysis, palliative care, and specialized polio treatment, alongside paramedical training programs.

Golden Jubilee & Modern Multispecialty Era

2008

Padhar Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary as Dr. Rajiv Choudhrie stepped into the role of Medical Superintendent. Focusing on cleft lip and palate reconstructive surgeries, modern instrumentation, and staff capacity building, the hospital grew into a full 200-bed multispecialty institution.