Originally Published on Marg News

A country where Charak Samhita was created and has multiple branches of medicine including Ayurved, Unani etcetera, was getting introduced to allopathy in the Mid 19th Century. The allopathic hospitals were being made and we were entering into an era of Instant treatment. Here is the list of the 25 oldest hospitals opened in India in the last 2 centuries, which we curated for our readers. 

#25 – Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, 1979

It is affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences of Delhi University. This hospital, with 1700 beds started in 1979 is the first tertiary care hospital of the Government of Delhi. 

#24 – Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, 1973 

Opened on 26 June 1973, named after Rafi Ahmed Kidwai It is a regional cancer care center located in Bangalore. 

#23 – Government TB and Chest Hospital, 1961 

Located in Visakhapatnam, this hospital is affiliated with Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences. It is famous to treat patients with communicable diseases. 

#22 – Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, 1957 

Founded by Dr. Jaiveer Agarwal in 1957. The headquarter of this chain of eye hospitals is situated in Chennai. 

#21 – All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, 1956 

Better known as AIIMS, it is located in Delhi, was set up by the Ministry of Health and Family Affairs of the Government of India on 8 February 1956. 

#20 – Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, 1955 Formerly known as Bangalore Medical College, it was established in 1955. It is affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. 

#19 – Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, 1954 

The hospital’s history can be traced back to 1921 with a hospital established by Sir Gangaram in Lahore. But after 1947, the second hospital in the name of Sir Gangaram was inaugurated by Dr. Jawahar Lal Nehru on 13 April 1954. 

#18 – Hinduja Hospital, 1951 

Named as P. D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre. This is a Multi Speciality Hospital situated in Mumbai. It was founded by Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja. Hinduja Hospital is one of the best hospitals in India. 

#17 – Tata Memorial Centre, 1941 

Sir Dorabji Tata Trust established this hospital on 28 February 1941 in Mumbai. Now it is famous for cancer treatment. 

#16 – Safdarjung Hospital, 1939

A multi-specialty government hospital situated in Delhi is associated with Vardhman Mahavir Medical College. It was established in 1939. 

#15 – Irwin Hospital, 1936 

Under the supervision of Viceroy of India Lord Irwin, the central jail complex was going to become a hospital. And after the construction of the hospital building in 1936, it was opened for patients. Now it is known as Lok Nayak Hospital., colonial powers established the first organized hospitals. 

#14 – Willingdon Hospital, 1932 

The hospital was opened by the British raj for their government staff in 1932, with just 54 beds. Later, in 1970, the hospital was renamed Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. 

#13 – Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital, 1931 

It is situated in Uttar Pradesh. Kamla Nehru Memorial Hospital was founded by Smt. Kamala Nehru. It is a regional care center of Prayagraj. 

#12 – Patna Medical College and Hospital, 1925 

Established in 1925, Prince of Wales Medical College was built in Patna. Now we know it as Patna Medical College and Hospital. 

#11 – Lady Hardinge Medical College (Hospital), 1916 

Better known as Lady Hardinge hospital now also known as Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital and Kalawati Saran Child Hospital were established in 1916 by Charles Hardinge, the 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst. 

#10 – Star of Hope Hospital, 1898 

“The Star of Hope” was founded by Canadian Baptist Ministries and was opened in 1898. It is located in Akiveedu, Andhra Pradesh. 

#09 – Eden Hospital, 1881 

Established in Kolkata, Eden hospital was started as a wing or department to treat women with gynecology and obstetrics problems in Medical College Kolkata. 

#08 – Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital, 1875 

Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital is a government hospital situated in Maharashtra. It was built in 1875 and named after a businessman and philanthropist Gokuldas Tejpal. 

#07 – Bangalore Lunatic Hospital, 1847

Now known as The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. Bangalore Lunatic Asylum was established in 1847. 

#06 – King George Hospital, 1845 

In 1845, this hospital was started as a civil dispensary in Visakhapatnam. On 19 July 1923, Hon’ble Raja of Panagal, Chief Minister of Madras inaugurated a new building as an addition to the hospital. 

#05 – Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, 1835 

Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata is formerly known as Calcutta Medical College was set up by Lord William Bentinck on 28 January 1835 in British India. The aim to open this medical college was to train the youth without discrimination of caste and creed. Now, MCH serves the patients through 39 departments. Later on, 3 hospitals named Eden Hospital(1981), Ezra hospital, Shayma CharanLaha Eye Hospital were also built in the years 1881, 1887, and 1891 respectively. 

#04 – Ecole de Medicine de Pondicherry,1823 

Now known as Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) was taken by the Indian Government in 1956. But, this medical college cum Hospital was established by the French government in Pondicherry with the name ‘Ecole de Medicine de Pondicherry’ in 1823. 

#03 – Stanley Hospital, 1797 

An assistant surgeon named John Holen Underwood established a hospital and dispensary in the Native Infirmary in Chennai, which developed with time. Now we know it as Stanley Hospital. 

#02 – Portuguese Hospital, 1691 

The first hospital of India, the Portuguese Hospital/ the King’s Hospital, was built by the first Duke of Goa Afonso de Albuquerque in 1691 AD at Goa. Jesuits headed and took care of the administration and it was featured in the list of best-run hospitals in the world. 

#01 – Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital,1664 

Now a state-owned hospital, The Government General Hospital in Chennai was established in 1664 to treat British East India Company soldiers. Currently, it is managed and funded by Tamil Nadu State Government.