Penang General Hospital

Penang General Hospital (8 March 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Penang General Hospital Location Map

Penang General Hospital (8 March 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Penang General Hospital, now known as Hospital Pulau Pinang and previously as Hospital Besar Pulau Pinang, is the biggest public hospital in Penang. It is located along Jalan Residensi, with various departments sprawled on the opposite side of the road as well as along Jalan Sepoy Lines. As a public hospital, it provides health care and emergency treatment for all illnesses and accidents.

The Penang General Hospital traces its history to the Pauper's Hospital started by Mun Ah Foo, a leader of the Ghee Hin Society. The aim of the hospital was to provide healthcare to the poor and needy as well as rehabiliation for opium smokers. After Mun Ah Foo had passed on, the Pauper's Hospital continued to be managed by a committee headed by Governor Archibald Anson, with representations from the Chinese clan associations, guilds and other pillars of 19th century society. During this period, the Leper Hospital was relocated to Pulau Jerejak, where it functioned until the mid 20th century.

The General Hospital building dates back to 1882. Within the grounds of the hospital stands a monument commemorating the donars to the hospital, which count among them both the Ghee Hin as well as Tua Pek Kong Kongsi in 1879 - a rare show of cooperation between two otherwise antagonistic societies that fought each other just a decade before, Tan Beng Swee, Noordin & Shaik Yousoof, various members of the Merican family, and even the King of Siam. At that time, there was racial segregation. Hence Europeans and non-Europeans had separate wards. The Ghee Hin Society further donated the land on which the hospital stands. The original building eventually made way for the Nurses hostel, which was constructed in 1930.

The Maternity Hospital, Dental Hospital and Children's Hospital were added to the complex in the 20th century, and are located on the Sepoy Lines Road side of Jalan Residensi.

Contact

Hospital Pulau Pinang
Jalan Residensi, Penang
Tel: +604-2293333

Getting there

Rapid Penang Bus 304 pass along Jalan Residensi.

Nearby Sights

Polo Ground (Padang Polo)

Seri Mutiara

Caring Society Complex

Penang Sports Club

Judge's Residence (dilapidated)

Click for list of Penang Hospitals

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Penang Travel Tips is written by the Happy Jobless Guy

Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms. Tim is a Christian. Click here to know more about his beliefs.