History of Bethesda Hospital

Bethesda Hospital was founded by Dr. J.G Scheurer, a doctor who was sent by the Nederlandse Zendingsvereniging based on the Gospel of Luke 10:9 which says "and heal the sick people who are there and say to them: The kingdom of God is near you". Bethesda Hospital was originally named Zendingsziekenhuis “Petronella”.  The name Petronella is taken from the name of the wife of a retired priest named Coeverden Andriani who provided financial assistance to build the hospital. The local community at that time knew the "Petronella" Hospital by the name "Dokter Pitulungan" or "Doctor Tulung".

In its journey since it was founded, Petronella Hospital has experienced ups and downs in accordance with the dynamics occurring in Indonesia and the world. During the Japanese occupation, the Petronella Hospital was taken over by the Japanese and renamed "Jogjakarta Tjuo Bjoin". This takeover ended the name and principle of the Petronella Hospital as a Christian hospital. After the end of the Japanese occupation, the "Jogjakarta Tjuo Bjoin" Hospital was successfully returned to its original principles as a Christian Hospital but was renamed "Roemah Hospital Poesat". So that the general public knows that the Central Hospital is a charity (Christian) hospital, on June 28 1950 "Central Hospital" was announced as a Christian Hospital and its name was changed to "BETHESDA HOSPITAL".