Fredrik Kugelberg

Bible signed by Frederik Kugelberg, at the T.E.L.C. Jubilee Church at the old German/Swedish Compound in Kodaikanal, South-India Frederik Carl Kugelberg M.D. (September 20, 1880 – April 29, 1963) was a Swedish physician and Christian missionary to the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu who developed much of south India's lasting healthcare infrastructure.

Early life and education Kugelberg was born to a modest family on September 20, 1880, in Ljungarum, Sweden. He received his M.D. from the Karolinska Institute at Uppsala University in Stockholm. Following his clinical training, he felt a spiritual calling and immediately left for south India on December 8, 1905, under the mission of the Swedish Church. The Church of Sweden under the 1904 Diocese of Luleå cared much for spreading healing to southeastern Asia.

Missionary Service

Tamil Nadu When he first came to the state of Tamil Nadu, Kugelberg settled in the city of Pattukottai to conduct field research about the prevalence of disease. Kugelberg focused his efforts on treating two conditions: cataracts and leprosy. He then traveled to the more populated city of Tirupattur to implement his research. He founded the Swedish Mission Hospital in Tirupattur and was chief medical officer from 1909 to 1932. Kugelberg introduced novel cataract surgeries and leprosy antibiotics to the population. There were significant improvements in patient outcomes. In addition, Kugelberg gave particular care to the female workers and patients. As a result of his work, Kugelberg received approval from the dominion of Madras (Chennai, Tamil Nadu) to continue his practice in neighboring cities as well. So in 1926, Kugelberg opened the Moses Gnanaparanam Eye Hospital at Coimbatore. Inspired by his work his sister, Sonja Kugelberg, opened a Swedish home for the blind in 1971. It remains operation in 2019.