In the 1970′s, Soddo was home to a Christian mission hospital up the hill from the town in an area known as Otona. Dr. Harold Adolph was a missionary surgeon from the United States who lived in Soddo with his family and served as the lone surgeon at the hospital. In 1974, a political coup in Ethiopia resulted in Communist rule, and the government soon took over the hospital. Many missionaries in the country were forced to leave.

Dr. Adolph always longed to start another mission hospital in Soddo – a place where physical and spiritual healing would take place in the name of Jesus Christ. The country became free again in 1987, and Dr. Adolph was invited by his Ethiopian friend Dr. Kelemu Desta to pursue God’s call and make the dream a reality. Together they enlisted the help of supporters in the USA and Europe, and started St. Luke’s Health Care Foundation – a 501(c)3 non-profit based in the US.

Through God’s provision, funds were raised, and a new hospital was built in Soddo – one with the express purpose of glorifying God.  In January 2005, Soddo Christian Hospital opened its doors.

Since then, over 331,000 patients have been treated, over 68,000 operations performed, and more than 10,000 babies delivered.