Our History

1957

AOB’s work first started in 1957 before Bangladesh gained her independence. Team members arrived in East Pakistan and settled in Chattogram city and began by establishing a clinic, boarding school for tribal children, conference center, and a Bible school.
1964

In 1964, one of our team members developed a Bangla language-learning curriculum for all expatriate workers. That material has been the springboard into proficient communication for hundreds of newcomers.
1966

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government granted AOB 25 acres of land for establishing Memorial Christian Hospital. In 1966, the hospital was dedicated to the glory of God, for providing Bangladeshis health and hope. That same year, Memorial Christian School opened, providing quality education for children of hospital staff and the surrounding community.
1966

In 1966 many children attended AOB’s first youth camp. During the 1970’s, land was purchased for a permanent camp and conference facility. Each year several camps welcome students of all ages. Also in the 1970’s, the AWANA youth program began, developed culture-appropriate curriculum, and has grown to encompass the Indian sub-continent.
1972

War widows and disabled people came to our hospital during and after the war. That brought about the launch of Heart House Handicrafts. It is a rehabilitation project that trains at-risk people in handcrafts and tailoring, so they can financially support themselves.
1979

In 1979, AOB’s medical team established the Hospital Orthopedic Patient Enablement (HOPE) fund. Financial aid helped wounded veterans who needed extensive care. At the same time, our physical therapist established a Limb and Brace department; the team manufactures prostheses for amputees.
1981

In 1981, several AOB teachers established Baptist Bible College of Bangladesh with 2 campuses. Studying there, Christians receive Bible training and practical service opportunities.
1980s and 1990s

Through the 1980’s and 90’s, many Bangladeshi leaders shared their vision for ministry, so we gratefully gave them leadership in administration, media production; formal, non-formal, and theological education; agriculture, and more. AOB teachers train teachers, and we’ve watched education centers, formal and non-formal, grow and multiply.
1991

During times of disaster, AOB has offered emergency relief. After 1991’s cyclone, which killed more than 100,000 people, AOB provided food and clothing to victims. With government approval, we continue to respond to those who are harmed by disaster.
2005

Memorial Christian Hospital cannot care for all physical needs of our large district, so in 2005 God directed several of our nurses to begin training medical care-givers, and AOB established Memorial Christian College of Health Sciences. Permanent clinics now operate in outlying areas. Other MCCHS graduates work at our hospital. Traveling community health workers received training; now they care for medical needs and educate villagers in healthy living. When they reported malnutrition, one of our nurses studied agriculture, and AOB began an agriculture program.
2017

In 2017, nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees fled across the border from Myanmar into southern Bangladesh. With support from Samaritan's purse, MCH set up a temporary extension to the hospital to expand our patient care capacity and enable us to help care for this vulnerable people group. MCH serves as a referral site for surgical care for organizations like MSF.
2020

In 2020, MCH opened the doors of its new building, a modern four-story facility with room to grow.
2020

In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic shook the world with the deadly effects of a quickly-spreading virus. In response to the need, Malumghat Hospital opened the Acute Respiratory Care (ARC) Unit. Staff were given extensive training in personal protective equipment and effective techniques to prevent transmission of the virus. Many patients were admitted to this unit and received compassionate care in a time of much fear and panic. Pamphlets with teaching of how to prevent transmission and what to do if the virus was contracted was distributed to the community and hand washing stations were built on the hospital campus.