No_3_January_and_February__1949 — Page 51

THE HONG KONG AND FAR EAST BUILDER

NEWLY OPENED

TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM

WHICH WAS

FORMERLY

THE ROYAL NAVAL

HOSPITAL

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A view of the main hospital building and entrance gateway.

On 25th February, the buildings of the old Royal Naval Hospital, Wanchai, which were rehabilitated and equipped as a Tuberculosis Sanatorium, were opened with due pomp and ceremony by H. E. The Governor, supported by a large gathering of distinguished citizens.

The oc- casion was was indeed a memorable one since it marked the culmination of efforts instigated by a former Governor, the late Sir Geoffrey Northcote, and a former Director of Medical Services, Dr. P. Selwyn-Clarke, to form an asso- ciation, and to equip this association with the means to combat the virulence of this dread disease which annually takes such a heavy toll of lives in the Colony.

In August 1947, the Hong Kong Government very generously offered the association the use of the old Naval Hospital as a site for a sanatorium. But were it not for

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the generosity of Mr. J. H. Ruttonjee, one of the most public-spirited citizens of the Colony, it would have been impossible for the association to have taken advantage of the Government's offer as the buildings were badly looted and the cost of rehabilitating and equipping them as a hospital would have been far beyond their means.

Mr. J. H. Ruttonjee originally contributed the magni- ficent sum of $550,000.00 for this purpose and later added another $250,000.00, making a total of $800,000.00 in all. This amount made it possible practically to rebuild and to improve the original buildings. In addition to Mr. Rutton- jee's contribution, Mr. Leung Yew donated $50,000.00, Mr. S. W. Lee $25,000.00 and Mr. Aw Boon-Haw $10,000.00.

The Sanatorium will be operated by the Hong Kong Anti Tuberculosis Association under the distinguished and able direction of Dr. S. N. Chau. The Committee were fortunate in obtaining the services of the Sisters of St. Columban Mission of Ireland to staff the hospital.

The Architects in charge of the complete building pro- gramme were Messrs. Chau & Lee.

(Above right) View of part of the extensive grounds from the entrance driveway.

(Above) Another view of the hospital grounds with the Sisters' Quarters in the foreground.

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1.

(Right) The entrance to the Telmi Ruttonjee Desai Ward, which forms part of the main hospital building.