Our History & Timeline
The history of Assunta Hospital is closely linked to the establishment of Petaling Jaya, a satellite city developed in 1952 to ease the problem of overpopulation in Kuala Lumpur. With a founding population of 800 people who stayed mostly at the area known as Old Town today, it soon became clear that Petaling Jaya needed a reliable healthcare provider.
Understanding the need for medical services, four Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) nuns started a small clinic called Ave Maria at Section 1 to serve the healthcare needs of the underprivileged in 1954. Through public donations, the little clinic was soon expanded to include a maternity home and convent.
By 1957, the population of Petaling Jaya had grown so rapidly that the clinic cum-maternity home could no longer meet the needs of the people. Led by philanthropist, the late Tun Leong Yew Koh, a large-scale fundraising event was organised, which successfully raised enough funds to build the hospital on its current location in 1959.
More firsts were in store, with the Kidney Unit established in 1967 and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 1971. Limited resources in terms of workforce and facilities were no match for the sheer dedication and deep compassion of the FMM sisters and the hospital.
In 1974, the Assunta Foundation was formed and the management of the now full-fledged hospital was handed over to a Board of Directors by the FMM sisters. The main function of the Board is to assist the hospital maintain a balance between providing affordable healthcare and sustaining the hospital’s operations amidst rising costs.
Unlike normal business models where shareholders get to enjoy a share of the company’ profits, the honorary members of the board, consisting of FMM sisters and prominent figures in society, contribute their time and effort on a voluntary basis to regulate the hospital operations.
Recognising the fact that human beings are not only physical, but also spiritual, emotional and relational beings, Pastoral Care services was established in 1988 to extend emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families.
A decade later, the Assunta Hospital Community Service (AHCS), now known as Assunta Integrated Social Services (ASSISS) was established to reach out to the under-privileged and to continue to address the needs of the community.
Being a not-for-profit establishment, the hospital operates on a premise of social entrepreneurship, where up to 50% of its profits are reinvested back for further expansion of the hospital, investment in new equipment and technology, renovation and modernization of the facilities and also to cover the operational costs of the hospital.
The remaining 50% is channelled to the Social Welfare Fund, to provide subsidised medical care to patients from the lower social economic group and those who qualify for medical aid, based on criteria set by the Social Welfare committee.
Assunta Timeline
1954
Under the directives of the Catholic Hierarchy in Kuala Lumpur, four Sisters from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary started a tiny clinic (named Ave Maria) in Section 1, Road 4 in Petaling Jaya where the medical needs of the underprivileged were attended to.
1955
Through the Sisters’ perseverance and with financial support from other generous individuals, enough funds were raised for the construction of a new clinic, maternity home and convent at Section 4, Petaling Jaya. “When reminiscing on those early days, we often recall with mirth, finding snakes under our beds when kneeling to pray; and often having to sleep with opened umbrellas to ward off the rain coming through our wire-meshed windows”. – Sr. Enda FMM
1957
The population of Petaling Jaya flourished and grew rapidly. The current FMM clinic, which also serves as a maternity home, was unable to cope with the increasing number of patients due to inadequate facilities. Fund raising for the construction of the hospital building was then initiated through the generous contribution and support of Philanthropist, founding member and 1st Secretary General of the MCA, the late Tun Leong Yew Koh.
Tun Leong Yew Koh
