An exhibition highlighting the American Mission Hospital's 100 years of pioneering community service was opened here yesterday.

Nabeel Al Hamer, Minister of Information, inaugurated the exhibition showcasing historical photographs and art work of Bahraini artist Majeed Asghar and memorabilia, including medical equipment, hospital archives and a classic car.

Over 45 paintings are on display depicting the heritage and culture of Bahrain. "It is important for people to see what Bahrain was like in the past and to remember our heritage of which the American Mission Hospital is a big part," said Dr Asghar, who is also father of the AMH Dental Department Head, Dr Zahra Majeed Asghar.

The exhibition is part of the celebrations held by the hospital in commemoration of their 100th anniversary. January 26 marks the centenary of the dedication of the Mason Memorial Hospital, now American Mission Hospital, which was built in 1902 and officially opened in 1903.

For many years the hospital was governed by the Board of Missions of the Reformed Church in America but since 1988 it has operated as a Bahrain society, governed by a board of directors drawn from the local community, Dr Paul Armerding, Chief Medical Officer, said in his opening address yesterday.

"It all began with the arrival of Samuel Zwemer, a Christian missionary from America who came to the island by steamer in late 1892."

Zwemer offered some basic services to patients until he married Amy Wilkes, an Australian nurse and an Anglican missionary in 1896. After the marriage, the husband and wife team dedicated themselves to medical services.

However, it took another four years when a qualified physician arrived here. Bahrain received its first resident doctors in 1900. It was Dr Sharon Thoms and Dr Marion Wells, a husband and wife team.

Both worked in the mission house until 1901 when Sheikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the then Ruler of Bahrain, helped them purchase a piece of land. The new hospital was built in 1902.

"The hospital building cost $6,000 at that time. The money was donated by a wealthy American family called the Masons from New York, and the first hospital was named the Mason Memorial Hospital," Dr Armerding said.

From those meager beginnings, the hospital has gone from strength to strength and now has 24 hour medical services with specialist clinics, including internal medicine, dermatology, dental, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, obstetrics, gynecology, paediatrics, general surgery, pain management, ENT/audiology , diabetology, breast health and dietary/nutrition.

"We look forward to doing more and better over the next 100 years," Armerding remarked. "The hospital will hold a thanksgiving celebration on January 26 at the National Evangelical Church. The ceremony will begin at 9am and all are welcome to attend," said Bahnaz Abbas, Fundraising Officer and member of the Centennial Committee.