In the winter of 1949-50 a Methodist missionary, Dr. Robert Fleming, a scientist/teacher, and his wife, Dr. Bethel Fleming, a Presbyterian doctor of medicine, made a field trip to collect birds of Nepal for the Chicago Museum of Natural History. They were accompanied by Dr. Carl Taylor, a Presbyterian on the staff of the Christian Medical College at Ludhiana, India.

     In 1951-52, another Presbyterian doctor and his wife, Dr. and Mrs. Carl Friedericks, went with the Flemings to Nepal and while there both medical doctors took care of the sick wherever they traveled. These medical services were greatly appreciated and led to an invitation by Nepal's Ministry of Health to open hospitals in Kathmandu and Tansen. Presbyterians accepted the invitation to participate in this project provided the work be undertaken by a group of denominations working together. The Friedericks remained and continued to serve at Tansen until they retired in 1986. At the present time, thirty-eight agencies, boards, and churches from 19 countries are member bodies of the United Mission to Nepal.

     Established by Dr. Friedericks in 1954 as a dispensary, Tansen Hospital was one of the first projects of the United Mission to Nepal. The hospital is located just above the town of Tansen in the hills of west Nepal. It has 131 beds plus an outpatient department and provides primary, secondary and tertiary care to the residents of the Palpa District, the districts beyond, and to Indian patients who come from across the border. PC(USA) Health Mission Workers have been active staff members for many years at the hospital.

     Tansen Hospital is a teaching hospital, training Community Medical Auxiliaries and Auxiliary Midwives. As of last year the hospital was recognized by Tribhuvan University as a training facility for Family Practitioners Physicians which are sorely needed in Nepal. They also have begun a one-year post RN Midwifery course which is the only one of its kind in Nepal.

     Work at the Tansen Hospital is assisted by PC(USA) Extra Commitment Opportunities (Acct.# 862365). The Medical Benevolence Foundation provides needed equipment.