Four decades ago when Bro. Fortunatus Thanhauser came to Kattappana the whole High range of the present Idukki district in Kerala was still a very remote area. The nearest hospital was 110 KM away. Patients could not be transported there in time due to lack of proper roads. Most of the serious patients died on the way. Malaria also took the lives of many.
The Vincent de Paul Society and the Franciscan Clarist Sisters of Kattappana were trying their best to start at least a small dispensary. Knowing the situation Mar Mathew Kavukatt, the Archbishop of Changanassery, invited Bro. Fortunatus Thanhauser “fromGermany, and Kattappana was selected as the suitable place for the foundation. The Archbishop entrusted Fr. Joseph Meprakarott, the parish priest of Kattappana, with the responsibility to take the necessary steps.