EMMS and Kachhwa Christian Hospital to partner on new hospital building
Residents of Kachhwa in Uttar Pradesh, India, are set to benefit from new hospital infrastructure, including a hospital building to enable expanded out- and in-patient services, thanks to a new agreement between EMMS and Kachhwa Christian Hospital.
When completed, the hospital and associated services will result in improved patient flow, efficiencies, strengthened administrative and support services, and better access to affordable healthcare for the community. The hospital will be suitable for Auxiliary Nursing & Midwifery internships and employ local women on long-term staff.
Work on the hospital will commence in 2027 and we expect it to be completed by 2030.
Kachhwa Christian Hospital has long been supported by South Asian Concern, which is set to close over the next few months. Under the leadership of Raju and Catherine Abraham over many years, the work at Kachhwa flourished. It has continued to develop under the current Managing Director, Shankar Ramachandran. This includes the addition of new services such as care for people with oral cancer (a serious and growing problem associated with chewing tobacco in the region), a mental health programme, physiotherapy services, and more. At the same time, the hospital and community health work have continued to grow as staff reach out to villages across the surrounding area.
There have also been significant improvements to buildings and equipment. The former chapel is being replaced by a larger multi-purpose building that will serve as a place for community events on the ground floor and staff dining area with guest rooms on the first floor.
"We are very grateful to EMMS for coming alongside Kachhwa Christian Hospital at this important phase of our journey. This partnership is more than an investment in hospital infrastructure; it is an investment in the health, dignity and future of the marginalised communities we serve. The new hospital building will strengthen our ability to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to people in this region. We are so thankful to South Asian Concern for its longstanding support and to EMMS for helping ensure the continuity of this mission."
Kachhwa Christian Hospital Managing Director, Shankar Ramachandra
With South Asian Concern preparing to close, EMMS was honoured to be approached by SAC to ensure that funding for Kachhwa Christian Hospital and the connection between its supporters and the ministry could be sustained.
Kachhwa Christian Hospital is a part of the Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA), with which EMMS has long-standing partnerships through our joint history and a wide range of initiatives including infrastructure development, palliative care delivery, and emergency and COVID response. EMMS has also previously partnered with Kachhwa Christian Hospital with the installation of solar power to help the hospital reduce its electricity costs.
The newly announced partnership further strengthens these ties by securing new hospital infrastructure that will provide lasting benefits and ensures supporters of the hospital can continue their connection following the closure of South Asian Concern.
"I am delighted that EMMS and Kachhwa Christian Hospital are working in partnership to develop the hospital infrastructure and health services to serve the local people with healthcare and good jobs for locals. All at EMMS are also incredibly grateful to South Asian Concern for enabling us to sustain the important connection with the hospital's supporters. South Asian Concern has done amazing work over the years and has a lot to be proud of. We look forward to our remaining cooperation with them as they prepare to close."
EMMS CEO, Cathy Ratcliff
Due to its imminent closure, South Asian Concern will be unable to process any further donations after 15 December 2026. To ensure that your support for Kachhwa Christian Hospital continues without interruption, please arrange for future donations to be made through EMMS before this date. There are a number of ways to donate, outlined below:
· Donate directly via the ‘Donate’ button on the EMMS website: https://emms.org
· Cheque Payable to: EMMS International Norton Park, 57 Albion Road Edinburgh, EH7 5QY
· Contact the EMMS team directly by telephone on 0131 313 3828 or by email at info@emms.org.
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