Khaja Naveen and Shoba Katumalla are an Orthopedician – Ophthalmologist duo who have been involved in the restoration of the Mary Lott Lyles (MLL) Hospital since 2014. Naveen graduated from JIPMER and went on to do his post graduation in Orthopaedics in CMC Vellore. His wife, Shoba was a graduate of CMC Vellore and specialised in Ophthalmology. Together, they responded to a call to revive the MLL Hospital and have been working in that institution since 2014.

Mary Lott Lyles Hospital, or Gosha Hospital as it was called by Madanapalle’s residents, was established in 1911 and has been a familiar name and a beacon of hope for people around this town. Its beginning is attributed to Rev. Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, a medical missionary from the Reformed Church in America when he started a hospital in Madanapalle with the help of the erstwhile government. The hospital currently has 50 beds and offers services in Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology and Pathology. It is managed by a team of 6 doctors.

While the reason missionaries like Rev. Jacob Chamberlain chose Madanapalle to undertake their mission is part of history, an entire town has since benefited from what they have left behind. A scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:7 guides those in the hospital today, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” Perhaps living by faith is the need of the hour.