In the 1970s,
Soddo was home to a Christian mission hospital in an area called Otona, perched on the hills above town. At that time, Dr. Harold Adolph, a missionary surgeon from the United States, lived in Soddo with his family and served as the sole surgeon at the hospital.
In 1974,
a political coup brought Communist rule to Ethiopia. The government assumed control of the hospital, forcing many missionaries to leave.
Despite these challenges, Dr. Adolph carried a deep desire to establish another mission hospital in Soddo—one where both physical and spiritual healing could take place in the name of Jesus Christ.
In 1987,
when Ethiopia regained its freedom, Dr. Adolph received an invitation from his Ethiopian friend, Dr. Kelemu Desta, to pursue God’s calling and turn this dream into reality. Together, they sought the support of individuals and organizations across the U.S. and Europe, leading to the establishment of St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation, a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Through the faithful provision of God, funds were raised and a new hospital was constructed in Soddo with the express purpose of glorifying Him.
In January 2005,
Soddo Christian Hospital opened its doors, embarking on a journey to provide compassionate, comprehensive healthcare.
