Lady Reading Health School, Delhi

About Lady Reading Health School, Delhi

The First training institution for Health Visitors was started in Delhi in 1918 with 12 students under the auspices of the Countess of Dufferin Fund through the efforts mainly of Dr. M. I. Balfour, the then Secretary. Subsequently, the School became one of the centers of activity of the Lady Chelmsford League when the Dufferin fund was absorbed by the former. The Government of India sanctioned an annual grant of Rs.6,000.

In 1925, Lady Reading, wife of the Viceroy of the time, presented about one lakh of rupees from funds at her disposal towards the provision of a suitable building together with a model Welfare Centre for the practical training of students. Thus the School was named after the donor.

The amalgamation of the Lady Chelmsford League with the Indian Red Cross Society took place in 1931 and all the Child Welfare Work performed by both the bodies was transferred to the Maternity and Child Welfare Bureau under the Red Cross Society. Lady Reading Health School (LRHS), Delhi is considered as one of the pioneer institution. In 1952 the Government of India took over the school and attached Ram Chand Lohia MCH Centre. Initially total capacity of the school was 24 Health Visitors trainees from all over India and neighboring countries. Duration of the course was one and half years for matriculates who were qualified midwives, which was replaced by two and half years integrated course for health visitor in 1954. Since than LRHS is providing training to different categories of Nursing candidates specialization in community Health Nursing.