January 31, 2023 | SPD et Adventist World
On December 12, 2022, Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH)—established in 1924 and serving Malaysia for more than nine decades—celebrated its 98th year of operation.
Through the continuous development of medical equipment and the help of a committed medical team and staff who provide the highest quality health care to its patients, PAH continues to improve its services.
For 98 years, PAH has been dedicated to serving all citizens by providing comprehensive, specialized and exceptional health care, reflecting the love and healing ministry of Christ. Its goal is to become a patient-centred teaching and learning tertiary care facility that adheres to international quality standards and provides recognized centers of excellence to the local community.
The hospital’s current president, Ronald Koh, expressed his gratitude for being part of this historic achievement. According to Koh, the hospital’s success “can only be attributed to God’s guidance and guidance.”
“The hospital has evolved and grown over the years to become a leading healthcare institution in Malaysia, which offers a comprehensive approach to treatment and cure,” Koh said. “This is due to God’s healing ministry.”
PAH is known to be a leading cardiac surgery center in Asia. It is also the first private hospital in the northern part of Malaysia to perform Micro-Vascular Surgery, Coronary Bypass, Cardiac Laser Surgery (TMR) and Open Heart Surgery.
“As we celebrate another anniversary year for our hospital, let us remember our mission to show compassion to the sick and needy by serving them and educating our community about the importance of good health,” said Abel Bana, president of the Malaysian Union Mission. He added, “My friends, you have served faithfully in fulfilling the mission of the hospital. Many have been immensely blessed by the HAP and [pour] this success, we give the greatest glory to God. Philippians 1:6 says, “I have confidence that he who began a work in you will carry it out until the day of Jesus Christ.”
In a congratulatory message, Chief Minister of Penang Yang Amat Berhomat Tuan Chow Koh Yeow expressed his gratitude and appreciation for what the hospital has achieved over its years of existence. Penang Adventist Hospital is synonymous with “free treatment of the poor” and “God heals, we help,” Yeow said. “This is evident in all the charitable and community work you have done since the hospital was founded in 1924. Over the decades you have shown tremendous growth while meeting the needs of our community, while remaining faithful to the mission set by your founder by helping the needy in our community. As Chief Minister of Penang, I am very proud of your achievement and the magnanimous service you render to our community.”
Back to basics
When Earl Gardner and his wife arrived at the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Singapore almost 100 years ago, leaders made the decision to locate a hospital outside Singapore after careful consideration and planning, because the nation already had an Adventist presence through a school and a Seventh-day Adventist church. Mr. Gardner investigated whether it was possible to open the hospital in Union Malay and other provinces in the Dutch East Indies. After visiting three Malay towns, Gardner concluded that Georgetown on Penang Island was the ideal location for the hospital.
The first Seventh-day Adventist clinic in Malaysia was established by Gardner on December 12, 1924, at 108 Muntri Street in Penang, with a large sign outside the clinic that read, “The poor are treated free of charge.” This was to provide immediate health care to the community, especially to those who had financial difficulty availing themselves of health services. This free service caught the public’s attention, and eventually, the number of patients coming to the clinic increased every day. To accommodate the growing number of patients at the Mission Clinic, construction of the hospital at 465 Burmah Road began in 1928.
The newly established hospital was called Penang Sanitarium and Hospital. After its completion in 1931, it opened its doors to residents of Penang and surrounding states and nations. Many Thai patients came to the hospital in the early years. His Royal Highness Prince Damrong, the uncle of the King of Thailand, and his daughters, Princess Poon and Princess Pillai, were on their way to the hospital for consultations.
Due to growing demand, the Muntri Street clinic was moved to 511 Chulia Street in 1932 and eventually to 422 Chulia Street in 1939. Gardner had to bring his family back to the United States in 1936. Leon Harrop takes over and quickly establishes himself as a competent administrator.
Braving World War II
The hospital was seized by the Japanese after their invasion of Penang in 1941. The western wing was rebuilt by the Japanese two years later. The name of the hospital was returned to it after the war, when it was renamed Penang Mission Hospital.
Due to war damage, Gardner and his family returned to Penang to help rebuild the hospital. They took with them various tools and medical supplies, including a station wagon which was eventually converted into an ambulance. The Chulia Street Clinic, on the other hand, was sold due to catastrophic war damage.
After the war, the hospital gradually established a respectable reputation in the nation, as more and more patients sought its advice. The leaders of Penang Sanitarium and Hospital came up with the idea of offering additional services to better meet the needs of the growing number of patients. The right wing of the hospital was established in 1958, and His Excellency Raja Sir Uda, the Governor of Penang, officially inaugurated the new structure.
State-of-the-art operating rooms, delivery rooms and private rooms are the result of the construction of the new structure. The maternity and neonatal nursery were inaugurated in 1966.
Grow over the years
The Penang Sanitarium and Hospital was renamed Rumah Sakit Advent or Penang Adventist Hospital in 1967, which gave rise to the current name of the hospital. The hospital began to expand in 1970 when new facilities and medical services were added. The advent of laparoscopic surgery is accompanied by the creation of an intensive care unit. Later, in 1974, a two-story wing was built to house a laboratory, the radiology division and the kitchen. The hospital’s dental clinic opened in 1979.
The heart center was established in 1987 and was the first facility in the northern region to successfully perform coronary bypass surgery. Later, in 1993, the Advent College of Nursing and Health Sciences was founded to promote the hospital’s view that nurses play a crucial role in the delivery of hospital services.
Huge demand for the wholegrain bread that the Adventist Bakery produces led to its opening in 1994. The bakery’s selection of healthy products has grown over time. The Adventist Lifestyle Center was established in 1995, making it the first hospital in the north to offer a special unit that provides patients with holistic health care.
Accreditations and Achievements
PAH was the first private hospital in Malaysia to receive Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. Additionally, PAH has received accreditation from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and has been designated as a baby-friendly hospital. PAH is also the first hospital in Malaysia to join the Health Promoting Hospital Network (HPH).
Today and tomorrow
The institution has grown to become a tertiary health care facility offering the highest quality of health care services centered on the healing ministry of Jesus, leaders said. True to its roots as a non-profit hospital, PAH continues to do charitable work through its medical assistance program and funds to help those in need.
This Seventh-day Adventist health facility is part of an international network of more than 500 hospitals, clinics, and dispensaries worldwide, which operate under the Adventist Health Network umbrella. The PAH is also dedicated to providing a holistic lifestyle approach to help patients on their journey to complete recovery.
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