Sibu History : Wong Chu Hua

This is Wong Chu Hua, standing next to the young Ting Lik Hung.

The word DRESSER is an old English word used in Sarawak during the Colonial days, and right until very recently it was still used to refer to Medical Assistant in the government hospitals. Many dressers in the early days were experts because of their training and hands on experience.

And Wong Chu Hua was one of them.

Wong Chu Hua was a well respected and well remembered hospital dresser with the Lau King Howe Hospital, Sibu. He was so good that he was called a doctor by the Foochows especially. In the 50's and 60's Sibu Lau King Howe Hospital (now Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum) had only 55 beds. It was too small in fact to handle so many patients who needed medical care from the whole of the Rajang Basin. 

Historical records do not show good medical health care in Sarawak. In 1947, there were 21 rural dispensaries attended by a dresser and an attendant. In fact the Kanowit dispensary (which I used together with my students in 1975) and Saratok dispensary were opened in 1953 and 1960 respectively.

 The total annual workload of these dispensaries were 130,000 patients. In 1947, the colonial government allocated grant for the setting up of two rural dispensaries and 16 mobile dispensaries.

Sibu was lucky to have a Lau King Howe Hospital from 1926! And the people were lucky to have dressers like Wong Chu Hua. He was so good and helpful that he was even recognised as a doctor. People from the villagers called him Doctor.

After he retired, he set up a clinic at his home in Tong Sang Road. He saved many people's lives, especially children. Two of his daughters were midwives in private practice.

Photograph taken by my father, Chang Ta Kang.