Sabah's Queen Elizabeth Hospital hailed for its heritage preservation efforts
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), one of the oldest and most significant medical institutions in the Bornean states, has been recognised for its efforts to preserve historical identity and legacy.
A message from Britain's Princess Anne, read during a ceremony at the hospital on Thursday (June 12), praised the state government and key stakeholders for commemorating the hospital's origins through new historical signages, a dedicated gallery, and a documentary titled The Queen's Hospital in Borneo.
'The hospital has provided essential medical treatment for more than 60 years and trained countless doctors and medical specialists, ensuring the people of Sabah receive the best medical care the government can offer,' the message read.
Princess Anne, president of the Duke of Edinburgh's Commonwealth Study Conferences, said she was pleased to be reminded of her 1972 visit to Kota Kinabalu with her parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and welcomed the initiative as a symbol of continued collaboration within the Commonwealth.
The project, led by the Commonwealth Association of Leadership Malaysia (CALM), was supported by the hospital administration, the Health Ministry, and the Sabah Finance Ministry.
QEH was officially named in honour of the British monarch in 1956, following approval from Queen Elizabeth II. It began operations in 1957 with 140 beds, staffed by a single matron, a nurse tutor, and a small pioneer team. Today, the hospital has grown to 775 beds and serves as a major referral centre for the region.
State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, who officiated the event, said the government had no hesitation in backing the effort.
'Some people may question why we retain Colonial-era names, but history cannot be erased. What matters is how we improve this hospital every day – not what it's called,' he said.
Masidi said Sabahans should take pride in the hospital's journey and contributions, especially the sacrifices of frontliners, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.
'As a Sabahan, I'm proud that some of the most dedicated healthcare workers serve in our hospitals,' he said.
He also addressed ongoing infrastructure concerns, particularly parking constraints at QEH and the Sabah Women and Children's Hospital in Likas.
'This is a long-standing issue that we are determined to resolve. The matter has been brought up in Cabinet, and state Health exco Datuk James Ratib will meet with federal officials soon to speed up the process,' he said.
Masidi voiced his support for a proposal by state deputy Health director (Medicine) Datuk Dr Abd Kahar Abd Asis for the construction of a new hospital block and a multi-storey car park, adding that he would raise the matter with the Prime Minister, who is also the federal Finance Minister.
'This is a small step in preserving history, but one that we hope will bring pride and benefit to future generations,' Masidi added.
Also present at the event were QEH director Dr William Gotulis and CALM president Yap Li Ling.
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