Sibu museum keeps memory of pioneering hospital alive

The Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum in Sibu preserves the legacy of one of the city's most important early medical institutions. Established in 1936, the hospital was Sibu's first modern medical facility and remained the region's sole hospital until 1994 when a new General Hospital opened. The hospital, built with a combination of private funding from philanthropist Lau King Howe and government support, operated for nearly six decades before closing after the construction of the General Hospital.

Lau King Howe, born in 1869 in China's Fujian province, initially studied to become a teacher in the Philippines before becoming the principal of the Philippines Chinese School. He later returned to China, ventured into business in Shanghai, and finally settled in Sibu in 1916. Lau King Howe proposed the construction of the hospital in 1930, sharing the costs with the Rajah Brooke government.

Despite his passing before the hospital's completion, the hospital was named in his honor. Today, the museum showcases the hospital's history, featuring exhibits on maternity care, dentistry, pharmacy, emergency treatment, and the evolution of nursing uniforms. Visitors can also learn about the once-popular "KK" tablet (paracetamol) and the innovative methods used for dispensing medicines in earlier decades, such as using repurposed ketchup or beer bottles.

The museum's compact size belies its rich content and serves as a valuable repository of local history and the evolution of healthcare in Sarawak.