From midwives in London’s East End, hospitals in rural Zimbabwe and nursing colleges in India, The Salvation Army brings hope to communities where health care is scarce, serving the vulnerable with compassion, dignity and holistic care.
The photo shows Heidie working in rural Zambia, visiting newborn Heidie – who had been delivered one day previously.
For almost as long as The Salvation Army has existed, it has operated health services. Health care has been an integral part of its mission, following in the footsteps of the first followers of Jesus who preached, taught and often healed people as part of their ministry. In the early days of the Army, there were many different health-related initiatives. In the East End of London, Salvation Army midwives could be found in the ‘rescue homes’, where vulnerable pregnant women sought shelter and care. Other early programmes included ‘slum maternity work’ and district nursing, emphasising a strong, local, community health approach. It was from these humble beginnings that a network of Salvation Army hospitals, clinics and community health programmes have evolved all over the world.
Reaching the vulnerable
A feature of Salvation Army’s medical work through the years is that it is commonly situated in hard-to-reach rural areas, helping people who are vulnerable and often marginalised. Where others are unable or unwilling to deliver healthcare; this is often where you will find The Salvation Army.
These health-care facilities are often the focal point of the community as they offer a safe space and medical services to people of all faiths or none; always serving patients without discrimination.
Bringing healthcare to rural Zimbabwe
Tshelanyemba Mission Hospital is situated deep in a rural area of southern Zimbabwe. A bumpy ride down a dirt track takes visitors to this hospital that caters for a dispersed population of close to 20,000 people and provides a range of diverse medical services.
Despite the struggles of personnel and finance, a team of doctors, nurses and community health workers regularly travel out into the community to deliver health services in all kinds of places, such as Salvation Army church buildings and even under trees. This ministry sees thousands of children immunised each week, mothers receiving ante-natal checks, people tested for HIV, babies weighed and monitored with referrals made back to the hospital for more specialised treatment. This work is replicated in many local communities all over the world. For me, good health is part of the good news and fullness of life revealed in the gospel.
Despite the struggles of personnel and finance, a team of doctors, nurses and community health workers regularly travel out into the community to deliver health services in all kinds of places, such as Salvation Army church buildings and even under trees.
Committed to service amid risk
In countless locations worldwide, COVID-19 brought additional pressures to Salvation Army health facilities. When most of us were locked down, many Army hospitals and clinics stepped out, often at great risk to their staff. Salvation Army officers Majors Devdan and Jyoti, who were running the Army’s Evangeline Booth Hospital in Ahmednagar in India, were two such individuals. I have been blessed to meet them on several occasions and always been inspired by the way they continue to empower their community through their service to ensure good health and treatment for those who are most in need. Their care is always delivered with a smile and a desire to serve the poor. If you were to spend a day with this beautiful couple, you would be humbled by their ministry and commitment.
When the pandemic broke out in 2020, no hospital in the city would take in any COVID patients, but the majors worked night and day to care for patients without any thought for their own safety. The hospital treated 6,700 patients with COVID, and Majors Devdan and Jyoti and other staff members were commended by the government and the community for their selfless service. What a remarkable ministry!
Expanding our health provision through education
Over the years, The Salvation Army’s health services have expanded and now include the provision of education programmes that equip health workers with appropriate skills and experiences, as well as developing commitment to holistic Christian health ministry. Salvation Army nursing and midwifery schools and colleges continue to shape the lives, skills and passion of thousands of health workers around the world. In addition, they also support national efforts to reduce the shortage of health workers that many countries experience.
One of our flagship hospitals is The Salvation Army Catherine Booth Hospital in Nagercoil, which commenced its nursing education programme in 1939 with tuition being provided to attain a basic diploma. Today, it is home to a formal college of nursing and offers both diploma and degree-level training. Named after the one of the founders of The Salvation Army and working under its motto ‘Learn to Serve’, it has evolved into a centre of excellence across India, dedicated to fostering holistic development in nursing education.
At present, there are 200 people studying at the college from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, encompassing various religions, communities and social circumstances. This diversity fosters a rich learning environment where individuals bring their unique experiences and perspectives into their studies and practical training. During my recent visit, the students were keen to stress to me that the college offers a supportive learning environment, personalised academic counselling, language support and a safe space, especially for people from minority backgrounds (including Christians).
Financial aid is also provided to help students overcome barriers. Many of the nursing students are first-generation graduates within their family. Their training can often empower them to end the generational poverty cycle, as their newfound stability enables them to lift their families out of hardship, support their siblings’ education and break free from the burdens of economic struggle.
Aspath’s story
In November 2024, 98 students successfully completed a degree in nursing, and it was a real privilege for me to confer their degrees at the graduation ceremony. During this visit, I met with one of the graduates, S. Aspath Prasanth. Aspath was abandoned at the tender age of one at a Salvation Army home, then raised in the home and later able to pursue his dream of working for a nursing degree through The Salvation Army Catherine Booth College of Nursing. He spoke of the support and encouragement given by The Salvation Army, which empowered him to follow his dreams. Since finishing his education, Aspath has been working as a staff nurse in the operating theatre at the hospital, serving others.
The Salvation Army was there for me and my baby
There are thousands of stories of the faithful, transformative and life-saving work of Jesus being delivered through The Salvation Army’s trained health-care professionals. I am one of those stories. While serving in Chikankata, at a remote Salvation Army hospital in rural Zambia, I gave birth to my son in the maternity ward after a Salvation Army nurse and close friend had become concerned that my baby’s life was in danger. I was rushed to hospital carrying only my maternity bag, which as well as the usual items also contained a pint of my husband’s blood, a cylinder of oxygen and a jerry can of diesel for the generator, in case the electricity cut out at the hospital due to its remoteness. On arrival, I was immediately taken for an emergency Caesarean section.
I was far from my home in Denmark and away from the security of modern hospital equipment and I was scared. Just before entering the operating theatre, all the Salvation Army medical staff stopped their business, gathered around my bed in a circle, held hands and prayed with me. Instantly I felt calm, and I knew that my son and I were protected in God’s hands. Safely delivered, my son Luke remains a healthy boy, and to this day the prayers, caring and skilled approach of the hospital staff all had a profound impact on my faith and service.
My story is very similar to nearly 1.5 million patients who visit our health facilities each year. There is something deeply soothing about the presence of Jesus in times of medical challenges and sickness.
Compassion in Jesus’ name
What sets The Salvation Army and Christian health services apart from others is the attention we pay to a holistic approach. By integrating physical, emotional and spiritual well-being into our way of showing care and compassion, we develop healthy people and healthy relationships through our ministry wherever we can. It models the life of Jesus, who made healing an integral part of his ministry. Although the way we deliver health care is likely to change over the next few years, the good news of the gospel through healing and wholeness will continue to be central in all that we do.
This article was first published in The Officer magazine and is reprinted with permission.
