The LMS and the organization ‘Mission To Lepers” at the petition of Dr. Sargood
Fry and the generous donation of Mrs. Charles Pease, an Irish Lady brought about
the establishment of a Leprosy Hospital at Neyyoor in 1890. Dr. Somervell’s vision
to care for patients in a well-ventilated, spacious accommodation led to the purchase
of 5 acres of land at Udayarvilai and the construction of 4 buildings and a chapel
to house 100 patients, which was declared open on November 17, 1933 and the chapel
dedicated in 1936. Besides the Government of India, Charity organizations such as
Oxform, War on Want and Mission to Lepers greatly assisted the hospitals development.
Besides diagnosis, medical and surgical treatments the patients had access to daily
Worship services, cultural and handicrafts training, free food and shelter. In 1940,
the childrens ward was constructed. As the years passed, the hospital flourished
with an increase in in patients capacity to over 200 with results of complete cure
among some. During the hospital’s glorious days, a school was started for the in
patients as well. Currently, the hospital houses 64 inmates with hansens disease
with a full time dermatologist and a dermatology Out Patient Department with all
the facilities. There is also a physiotherapy college attached with the hospital.
The hospital is called “Charles Pease Leprosy Hospital” with the motto, “I will;
be thou clean” – Luke 5:13.