British doctor who endeared himself to Jammalamadugu returns to 130-year-old hospital

The 130‑year‑old CSI Campbell Hospital, one of the earliest mission healthcare institutions established by the British, came alive with activity as it welcomed back its renowned paediatrician, Dr. William Cutting, who served the people of Jammalamadugu and surrounding villages from 1961 to 1973.

Now 93, Dr. Cutting — fondly called Cutting Dora (Master) — returned to the hospital where he began his career as a young doctor in 1961. He quickly won the affection of parents who brought their children for treatment, and his name became synonymous with care and compassion in the region.

The historic hospital, founded in 1896 by Irish medical missionary Dr. Thomas Vincent Campbell under the aegis of the London Missionary Society, has long been a landmark in Rayalaseema. Dr. Campbell and his wife Dr. Florence Gertrude set a benchmark in healthcare, initially through mobile clinics before establishing the modern facility.

On Friday, Dr. Cutting arrived at the Campbell Hospital accompanied by his son Dr. Colin Cutting, an urologist, his daughter Katrina Allen, a head nurse, son‑in‑law Peter Allen, and grand daughter Beth Cutting. Hospital staff gave them a rousing welcome, and a function was held in the evening to honour Dr. Cutting for his outstanding services.

Dr. Cutting is credited with developing the “Road to Health” chart at Campbell Hospital, a simple yet ingenious tool to track child growth. Initially designed to combat malnutrition locally, the chart attracted global attention in the 1960s and 70s, eventually being adopted by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF as a gold standard. He left Jammalamadugu in 1973 to serve international health bodies and later conducted HIV research in Uganda.

“I returned to see where it all started,” Dr. Cutting said as he toured the hospital wards. Overwhelmed by the affection shown to him and his family, he recalled, “I came to Jammalamadugu as a young man in 1961. With encouragement from Dr. Ratnaraj, I trained further in Vellore and served here for 12 years as paediatrician. I have now returned with my family to visit the hospital where I began my medical career.”

Hospital Superintendent Augustine Raju noted that protocols established by Dr. Cutting remain the foundation of neonatal care today. Former Air Force officer Maram Reddy Yohan remembered how Dr. Cutting and Dr. Somerville transformed rural healthcare in the 1960s and 70s in Jammalamadugu area. News of his arrival drew villagers to the hospital, including residents of S. Uppalapadu, who fondly recalled bringing their children to him decades ago.

Incidentally, the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was born in the same hospital and also served as a medical officer for a brief period after his graduation before setting up his own health care institution in Pulivendula.