Kamla Nehru memorial hospital has got a glorious history associated with struggle for independence. Pandit Moti Lal Nehru, although born at Agra, was settled at Allahabad as a lawyer by profession. He had a strong patriotic feeling and used to take part in freedom movements.

During those days, freedom fighters involved in the movement usually injured and for their treatment a dispensary was managed by ladies of Nehru family including kamala Nehru. Very soon this dispensary attained the status of a small hospital, with 24 beds and public from surrounding area in general started coming to it.

As Swaraj Bhawan was the main centre for activities of freedom movement, the British Government banned all the activities within its premises and consequently, the hospital too was remain closed for some time although patients were provided some treatment under open air at a nearby place.

In 1932, the hospital started refunctioning and its management was shouldered by kamala Nehru. In 1935 Kamala Nehru fell ill and ultimately died at Switzerland. During her illness, out of sentiments, Mahatma Gandhi promised her to make all efforts to continue the hospital started by her. As Mahatma Gandhi has already promised kamala Nehru to establish a hospital, he made all efforts for it and on 19th November 1939 laid the foundation stone and ultimately inaugurated the institution on 28th February 1941 on the day of fifth death anniversary of kamala Nehru. As with the history of other institutions, the hospital had only 40 beds at that time out of which 24 beds were allotted for poor patients for free medical care Dr. (Mrs.) Satyapriya Mazumdar was the first superintendent of the hospital. Since then this hospital is continuously making all-round progress. In 1949, the cancer wing of the hospital was inaugurated by Shri C. Raj Gopalachari, the first Governor General of India.

The cancer wing was further expanded and inaugurated by the then Vice President of India Dr. S. Radha Krishnan in 1959 and the hospital was equipped with most modern diagnostic and radiotherapy unit at that time and ultimately in 1994, the Government of india recognized kNMH as a regional cancer centre (RCC). In 1964, the hospital was associated with M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad for teaching and clinical purpose in obstetrics and gynaecology. The hospital has also got one associated Kamala Nehru Memorial Rural Hospital. The Foundation stone of the hospital was laid by sri Rajiv Gandhi, the then Prime minister of India and President of Kamala Nehru memorial hospital society. At this hospital, a community oncology section has also been established since 2003. The hospital has also been recognized as regional institute of mother and Child health by Government of India and Aids surveillance centre by National Aids control organization in 1993.

Dr. Vatsala Samant was the medical superintendent of KNMH from 1942 to 1972. She was awarded Padma Shree in 1972 for her outstanding contributions. Having worked for a long time with her, Professor Krishna Mukherjee is Additional director (medical) of this institution since her retirement in 2000 as Principal and dean of Moti Lal Nehru medical College, Allahabad. The hospital is now known for its excellent health care services in the field of obstetrics and Gynaecology, Neonatology and Paediatrics, surgery, Pathology, microbiology, radiation, oncology, medical Physics and RIA, Anaesthesia, radio diagnosis and imaging.