St. John's Leprosy and HIV Care Services

St. John's Leprosy and HIV Care Services is a charitable organization operated by the Major Archieparchy of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in India.

The hospital currently provides shelter for 50 leprosy patients and offers care and treatment for around 20 HIV/AIDS patients in its rehabilitation center. The current director of St. John's Health Services is Fr. Jose Kizhakkedath.

The history of St. John's Health Services dates back to the early 1960s when a leprosy clinic in Koppam, run by the Church of South India, was seeking an agency to continue its work. Miss Dunn, who was running the clinic, approached Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, who agreed to take on the noble task. This marked the beginning of St. John's Health Services in Pirappencode. Fr. Lawrence J. Thottam became the first director of the health services in 1963. The Sisters of Imitation of Christ (Bethany Madhom) and the Little Sisters of Jesus joined in providing community services at the center. St. John's Hospital was officially inaugurated on February 15, 1964, by the Health Minister Mr. Willington and Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. In 1999, the hospital launched the Leprosy & TB Control Program in Trivandrum City Corporation. In 2007, the Kerala State AIDS Control Society recognized St. John's Health Centre as a community care center for HIV/AIDS.

For more information, the Manual of St. John's Health Services can be referred to.

External links

• St. John's Health Services