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40 Years Of Hospital Fatimah (1974-2014)

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Subject :40 Years of Hospital Fatimah (1974-2014)
Published By : Hospital Fatimah, Ipoh. 
Location : Ipoh, Perak.
Estimated Year : 2014
Media Type : Book
Source : Hospital Fatimah
Remark :

40 Years of Hospital Fatimah, The Anniversary Year 2014.

Caring Works of Hope, 1974-2014.

“Hospital Fatimah is a 225 bed, not-for-profit, private specialist hospital within the city of Ipoh, in Perak, Malaysia. The Hospital is strategically located in the business centre of Ipoh Garden with easy access to public transport, banks, post office, shops and popular eateries.

Hospital Fatimah has been providing healthcare services to the community in Ipoh City and its surrounding areas since 1974. The Hospital, founded by a religious congregation, The Congregation of the Brothers of Mercy, delivers high quality and compassionate healthcare to patients.

At Hospital Fatimah, we aim to give "holistic care" ministering to the different dimension of a person’s needs by providing physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological care. In recognition of the "wholeness" of the person, the Hospital's motto "Strength in Purpose and Gentle in Action" aptly sums up the manner by which it carries out its ministry of care.

Hospital Fatimah is continually upgrading and improving its facilities and services in tandem with new evolving medical technology as well as to meet the ever increasing needs and expectations of the community.”

The history of Hospital Fatimah dates back to 1953 when the Congregation of the Brothers of Mercy made their way to Malaya after being imprisoned and expelled from China by the communists, resulting from the Civil War. In the early years, the Brothers of Mercy operated under the auspices of The Catholic Welfare Services, providing basic medical needs to the local community in the villages of the Kinta District and Province Wellesly (now Seberang Perai). They went around in travelling dispensary (vans) and provided mobile clinics in Gopeng and Kampung Simee and giving free treatment to the Orang Asli. They were well received by the people and before long, they were known as the “German Doctors”.

Inspired by the appreciative reception of the local community and the ever increasing demand for their services, the Brothers of Mercy started to work on their vision which was to build and run a hospital within the framework of Christian love and charity. The idea of building a hospital in Ipoh was introduced in 1956. As money was an area of concern, a considerable amount of time and effort was spent to acquire financial support from Germany.

Finally in 1969, Ipoh witnessed the ground breaking ceremony of Hopsital Fatimah as The Misereor, a West German charitable Organisation pledged 5.335 million deutsch marks in financial aid. The Brothers Of Mercy headquarters in Trier, Germany added another 0.7 million deutsch marks. A fundraising committee was formed and a substantial fund was collected from local philanthropists, organisations and well wishers. This historical event marked the materialisation of the Brothers of Mercy's mission, which is in the words of their founder, The Blessed Peter Friedhofen, is "To Care for The Sick As Well As Possible In Every Aspect."

1974

The name "Fatima" was derived from "Our Lady Fatima" in Portugal, a popular site of pilgrimage.

The building was completed in 1974 and Hospital Fatimah, with 148 beds and with all the medical equipment imported from Germany admitted its first patient on 1st August 1974 and was officially declared open by His Royal Highness The Late Sultan of Perak, DYMM Sultan Idris Shah of Perak on 6th December 1974. The opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Health and other dignitaries.

Initially, key positions in the Hospital were held by 12 Brothers Of Mercy and 5 Franciscan Sisters from Salzkotten, Germany.

1975 - Dr. Ratnasingam, the first Orthopedic Surgeon, joined Hospital Fatimah and rendered his services to many patients who filled up the wards and the Hospital had the best equipped Physiotherapy Unit in the country.

In 1983, The German Brothers and Sisters had to leave the country. The vacuum was soon filled by the Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters in February 1983.

1983 - Dr. Ng Peng Khin was appointed as the first Medical Superintendent. In the early years, chaplaincy services were available by our in house Chaplain. The first was Fr. Belleville and followed by Fr. Surmon.

1983 - the Outpatient Block and Operation Theatres were extended. At the same time, four more operating rooms were added to accommodate the increasing number of surgical procedures.

1994 – Block B was built as additional beds were require to meet the demands for Hospital Services. In the same year, the City School of Nursing was opened in Hospital Fatimah and was located at St. Anne’s Building.

1995 – Bro. Wolfgang Widmann returned to Malaysia to continue his services here. The Hospital staff was unionized with the name Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Dalam Perkhidmatan Perubatan dan Kesihatan Swasta.

1996 – City School of Nursing was renamed Hospital Fatimah School of Nursing (HFSON).

1997 - By the early 1990's, it became clear that additional beds would be needed for the Hospital to expand and meet the demand for its services. Plans were therefore commissioned and an additional inpatient wing was added to the Hospital. It was opened in 1997.

Hospital Management team and the Executive Committee (EXCO) were formed. Mr. Alexander Hutchinson, a Scot, was the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO).  Ipoh Medical Diagnostic Imaging Centre (IMDIC) was opened offering MRI, Mammography and Bone Densitometry  services

1998 - Since then, the Hospital has continued to further rationalize its services seeking to develop particularly its community services and its distinctive philosophy of care. As part of this, a Client Support & Counselling Centre, a Health Screening Centre and an Emergency Department were established. The privatisation of Resident Consultant Clinics took place. The Hospital also introduced a Welfare Programme and embarked on various contracted out service arrangements in an effort to extend its range of medical technology and to keep its running costs in check. The Hospital also achieved the MSO:ISO 9002:1994 Quality Management System Award in 1998.

1999 – Dr. Lim Chie Kean is the second and current CEO. A welfare Assistance Programme was formalized.

2000 – The Pediatrics, Pyschiatry and Neurosurgery services were established.

2001 – The Ophthalmology and Geriatrics services were established.

2003 – The Haemodialysis Centre was opened. A new conference room and meeting rooms were built. In this same year, HFSON was relocated to Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Tiger Lane), into the vacant residence of the Brothers of Mercy.

2004 – The Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) was renovated and expanded.

2005 – A Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory and the Cardiology services were established. Ward 2B was renovated and a car park was created in front of the Hospital.

2006 – Ward 3B and the Operation Theatres were renovated. In the same year, a new Cytotoxic Drug Reconstitution service and the Heart Gift Shop were set up. The Hospital was awarded a 3-year full accreditation status by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH)- 1st Cycle.

2007 – A new kitchen, 9 new medical suites and Wolfgang Hall were constructed in Block D.

2008 – A new 128 multi-slice Adaptive CT Scanner, and a new MRI were added to our services. Block A Outpatient Clinics were upgraded in the same year.

2009 - Ground breaking of new Block E by the Superior General of the Brothers of Mercy, Bro. Peter Berg. The Hospital was successful in being awarded a 3-year full accreditation status by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) - 2nd Cycle.

2010 - The Brothers of Mercy celebrated their 160th Anniversary in Hospital Fatimah, Ipoh. Wards 3C and 4B were renovated; Ward 4B was installed with an Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR). Breastfeeding room was set-up and the Divisional Heads offices were relocated to St. Anne's Building.

2011 - Bro. Wolfgang Widmann laid the foundation stone for a new building for HFSON. A new Radiology Department in the Lower Ground Floor was also opened in the same year. Wards 1C and 2C were renovated while the Main Lobby was refurbished. An inaugural 18-member Board of Visitors was established. Hospital started to adopt Baby Friendly Initiative practices.

2012 - Oncology and Radiotherapy, Gastroenterology and Hepatology services were established. A Bilik Sembahyang for females was built A new air-conditioning system was installed in all 6 Operation Theatres and 32 new parking bays were created in our grounds. A new Elekta Synergy Linear Accelerator and Nucleotron Brachytherapy were installed in the bunkers of Block E. The Chemotherapy Day Care which is situated in the new Block E was completed. Extension of Haemodialysis Centre with an additional 12 machines; total 23 machines. The new HFSON building was opened and blessed by Rt. Rev Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Diocese of Penang.

2013 - Wolfgang Cancer Centre was officially launched by Bro. Wolfgang Widmann, in the presence of Msgr. Michael Cheah, Vicar General of the Penang Diocese. 2nd & 3rd floor lobbies were renovated and the 6 new medical suites on the ground floor were completed. Staff rooms were created on the lower ground floor.

2014 - A Clinical Pastoral Care Service was formalized. Our new Health Screening Unit was completed. A new generator with 1000kva was installed. The Hospital celebrated its 40th Year Anniversary.

 

The Vision of Hospital Fatimah

“We will integrate the best skills and technology incorporating moral standards and humanitarian values to become a premier hospital in providing equitable, accessible, affordable and effective quality healthcare.”

The Mission of Hospital Fatimah

“We undertake to maintain, manage and conduct our services in the true meaning of the Christian Ministry in accordance with the traditions of The Brothers of Mercy.

We seek to institute high standards in the treatment and holistic care of our patients by continuing to explore modern technology, focusing on our customers' needs and expectations.

In acknowledging the important contributions of our staff and the strong partnership with our practitioners, we seek to instill a strong team spirit so as to provide effective quality healthcare services consistent with our philosophy.

We believe in the importance of sound business ethics so as to ensure that our services are provided in a manner that gives our customers value for money.”

Philosophy of Hospital Fatimah

“We strive to serve all people, irrespective of race, religion or creed with love and compassion in the true spirit of the Christian Gospel by making Hospital Fatimah a sanctuary of care and comfort where every patient is treated with respect, care and devotion owed to a creation of God.”

Regarding the fiurt and fifth pictures above, Ipoh Remembered makes the following comments:

Yes, the hospital was opened in 1974 and I thought these photographs were taken in 1969, however I believe you may be right about which ceremony is depicted above. It may well be the official opening in 1974. : the Sultan was there for the official laying of the foundation stone. (There is a reference to this 1969 ceremony above.)

In the photograph on the right is Monsignor Gregory Yong, at the time the fairly new Bishop of Penang.

In the photograph on the left, on the left edge is a person in a dark suit. My eyesight is not good enough to be sure who it is, but I think it’s either towkay Chong Kok Lim or Ipoh High Court Justice Chang Min Tat. Both of them were on the hospital building fund committee. I can’t remember whether Kok Lim attended the event but I am certain that Min Tat did.

Incidentally, both Min Tat and Gregory were alumni of Ipoh’s St. Michael’s Institution. Min Tat was born in Ipoh whereas Gregory was a Taiping boy. They both died about ten years ago, the former as a retired judge of the Federal Court and the latter as Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Singapore.

Also in the photograph on the left, the priest you see wearing glasses was Brother James, who led the drive to establish the hospital. He came from Germany and lived in Malaysia for decades, eventually converting to Islam. He, too, died about ten years ago. His last words were “Selamat tinggal.”

SY also commented:

Dear Ipoh Remembered,
The gentleman in the dark suit is neither Chong Kok Lim nor Chang Min Tat. He doesn’t look like either of them and I have met both.

I had to face him for two years or so and he was not one to mince his words. To his credit, he spoke perfect English – I was told he graduated from Cambridge. A number of years later, he came to Ipoh for the hearing of cases in the Supreme Court which went on circuit and this was his last hearing as he retired after that. I met him and he is one of the few who could remember my name in full.

Ipoh Remembered responded:

Dear S.Y. … I could almost have sworn it was Min Tat but I will defer to your experience!

Yes, he was a stickler!

Speaking of which … he was not at Cambridge but at Oxford.

This was after he finished up at Raffles College and before he qualified in the law at the Inner Temple in London.

Incidentally, Raffles College, in Bukit Timah, later became the University of Malaya and is now the National University of Singapore.

 

 

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