If areas in the Nan-Tou County are seen as medical deserts metaphorically, then Puli Christian Hospital would be the only oasis on that desert. For more than fifty years, Puli Christian Hospital has dedicated a tremendous amount of effort in servicing the people in the mountainous regions. The history of its continuous growth can be seen from the original wards erected by bamboo shoots to today’s hospital building that has as many as four hundred beds for the patients. All these achievements would not be possible without the hard works by its staff over the years. There are four major eras in the history of Puli Christian Hospital, they are as follows:
The ‘Christian Medical Clinic in the Mountains’ Period(1956-1957)
After the Second World War, Taiwan went through a period of economical depression, particularly the rural regions where resources were extremely scarce. During that period, one missionary from the World Vision Organization named Lillian R. Dickson was deeply concerned with the situation and returned to America to fundraise for the people in Taiwan. Together with her strong determination and faith, she successfully built the Christian Medical Clinic in 1955, and this was the forerunner of today’s Puli Christian Hospital. The Dean of the hospital at that time, Dr. Heish, also a Pastor, and the other dedicated member in the team was Hsu Bin Nuo. Puli was chosen to be the site because of its geographical location. Not only was it situated in the center of Taiwan, it was also the main trading site for many aborigines at that time.
A Corporate Body Period(1984-1988)
Due to the gradual economical development of Taiwan during this period, various overseas supports had ceased around 1984 to 1988. Although the role of Puli Christian Hospital remains to be an important one, the physical buildings of the hospital have aged over the years, as well as the numerous medical equipments. In order to re-elevate the overall professional standards of the hospital, a loan was taken out in order to refurbish the hospital, as well as to purchase new medical equipments. Furthermore, money would also be used in employing more professional medical staff for taking care of the medical needs of the patients, so as to give the people living in distant areas equal excess to the medical services.
Puli Christian Hospital at Present (1999 till Now)
Due to the damage as a result of the earthquake, Puli Christian Hospital dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy in taking care of the devastations caused by the unpredictable natural disaster. Despite its existing financial burden, the hospital continuously committed itself to community health and medical care over the years.
Out of the professional team at Puli Christian Hospital, many of them were of foreign citizenship whom arrived in Taiwan after the Second World War, including Hsu Bin Nuo, Ji Oh Hui, and Dr. Heish. They have arrived in Taiwan with a strong Christian belief to give the people in Puli the necessary medical care and support, particularly for the aborigines. Not only did they found the hospital and medical clinics, they had continuously shared the responsibility of looking after those in need. All of their dedications serve as great examples for our team today.