Tuesday, August 26, 2008
CHINESE GENERAL HOSPITAL
The Chinese General Hospital located in Blumentritt, Santa Cruz, Manila, dates back to the Spanish Period. It was one of Carlos Palanca Tan Quien-Sien's community affairs and philanthropy projects. In 1891, along with other wealthy Chinese businessmen such as Chan Guan and Mariano Velasco, he raised the necessary funds and even provided a building for the hospital himself.
Its subsequent funding came from the regular donations provided by the business owners of the Chinese community. Two years after its door first opened, it was officially registered as Hospital de Chino under the Spanish Government.
From its inception as a medical clinic where treatment was free of charge for the Chinese community, it has since expanded into a full-service hospital. In 1917, a major fund raising campaign was launched in which the Chinese community immediately responded by donating a total of P200,000. The windfall funded the construction of the first Chinese General Hospital (CGH) with updated facilities.
The new hospital was inaugurated in 1921 with Dr. Tee Han Kee as its first medical director. He was then the most famous Chinese physician in the country, and had also served as consultant for the Philippine Health Service because of his expertise on bubonic plague, which is believed to have been a mutated swine virus.
In that same year, Dr. Tee Han Kee also founded the Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing and Liberal Arts (CGHCNLA). With him were three physicians who organized the training school. The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception based in Hong Kong and Canton, China also provided Dr. Tee Han Kee with the much-needed assistance to start the school. The first batch of five sisters arrived in August 1921. Mrs. Praxedes Co Tui, a registered nurse from the Philippine General Hospital was appointed as Chief Nurse and Principal of the School of Nursing.
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Thank you!
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Labels: Manila history, medical institutions
posted by Señor Enrique at 5:52 AM
17 Comments:
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EM said... It was as I remember. The area is always swarming of pedestrian because of the proximity of the Blumentritt market. I remember taking the jeep stationed at Espana traversing Blumentritt and stopping at the market. I even had the chance to ride the Kalesa traversing the same route before the jeepney replaced them. I will again say that La Loma is indeed rich in history... personally speaking.
Thanks for the special mention Senior (unecessary but very much appreciated).
have a good day!-
said... Even if we lived far way from this hospital, my father had always puts his trust to his surgeon Dr. Roberto Ngo.
I have good memories in this hospital. I had a bonding moment with my father when he got confined here.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi EM!
These pictures are from my archives, I should go back to take better shots and post them.
By the way, my mom's doctor was Dr. Pacifico Yap who was affiliated with this hospital. She was confined here when her gall bladder stones were removed. At that time, the hospital was located at the compound now occupied by the nursing school. The new hospital facility is now across the street.
Much has changed since then, except for the traffic which is still just as congested back then (if not even more so today) ... hehehe.
I had to mention the fact that had it not been of your reminder, this blog entry would not have existed:)
Thanks, EM!-
Señor Enrique said...
I can imagine the fond memories you have of this hospital, TOF. Sometimes, it takes an unlikely situation for wonderful things to happen.
I grew up not too far from this hospital. A 15-to-20 minute walk, or even longer, depending upon the distractions the stalls may offer at the Obrero Market in Blumentritt.
BTW, my sister-in-law graduated from this hospital's nursing school.-
Sidney said...
Eric, this hospital gives me the creeps... it has THREE HUGE cemeteries as a backyard...
La Loma cemetery, Chinese cemetery and North cemetery.
Not a very uplifting environment for the patients.
Feng Shui anyone? ;-)-
Panaderos said...
I first saw this hospital as a child whenever my family went to the North Cemetery to visit the graves of relatives. I had always been impressed by the building although I haven't had the chance to enter it.
Thanks for sharing information on this hospital. I believe it ranks as one of the best in the country.-
Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... yes, Sidney, within that few-meter radius are the lechons, the hospital and the cemetery.
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Señor Enrique said...
Yes, Panaderos, this hospital does rank among one of the best.
Incidentally, when my mom was confined there when I was a kid, the entire family was impressed by the quality of food served to its patients; not your typical bland cafeteria or hospital fare.-
escape said...
one of my cousins had his surgery there. and it was successful.
ang tiyaga mong magsulat. i wonder how you find time writing.-
Señor Enrique said...
These are usually 500 words or less compositions, donG, which I do before turning in for the night and rewrite/edit in the morning :)
Glad to know your cousin had a successful operation.-
Jeko said...
Did you personally take the pictures? It's hard to take a good shot, I remember going to duty at the hospital, and risking my life at the same time crossing from my school hahaha :D
About the food, yes it's cheap and not your typical hospital bland food. At lunchtime, it's filled with doctors, nurses, and other employees.
BTW, I graduated from the College of Nursing. Our batch (2008) got a 99% passing rate. It's cool. :D-
Señor Enrique said...
Congratulations, Eko!
I was actually in a jeepney when I took the shot :)
Yes, the traffic is quite horrendous in that area. I feel sorry for the crossing guard; he really risks getting hit.-
said...
actually, chinese gen and chinese cemetery are owned by the same corporation...i won't forget one of the consultants who was scolding a patient about his vice (the same reason why he was confined that time). The doctor joked that if he will not stop smoking, he might end up on the other side of the fence.... ^_^
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said...
CGHMC is a level 4 hospital category in the phil meaning CGHMC obtained the highest ranking due to almost complete ancillary/department.....
And were building-up new image, system and highly competent employee after all the projects we will create the official website for CGHMC-
EmO_tErAng_AtEh said...
re post ko lang po sa new group ko sa fb.. kug pwede.. just to reminisce the past....
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OREO CHEN said...
EXCUSE ME,I WAS BORNED IN YOUR HOSPITAL AT 1985, NOW I NEED TO APPLY MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
BUT I'M ABROAD NOW
AND HAVE NO RELATIVE HERE IN MANILA.
WHAT SHOULD I DO ?-
said...
FROM : CGHMC
Our official website is now ONLINE
Come and Visit us at
www.chinesegeneralhospital.com.ph
