When the Queen Mary Hospital opened in Hong Kong, 81 years ago today
Days after its inauguration in 1937, the South China Morning Post declared it the best hospital in the Far East
“New G.C.H. at Pokfulam” ran the headline in the South China Morning Post on September 23, 1932, detailing plans to build a hospital in place of the Government Civil Hospital.
Located on Pok Fu Lam Road, the hospital would consist of seven storeys with 500 beds, as well as quarters for staff and students.
By September 18, 1934, work was well under way. “On what only a year or two ago was part of the hill-side in Pokfulam Road, rapid progress is being made to push the new Government Civil Hospital scheme to a conclusion,” the Post reported. “Hundreds of workmen are engaged on the site, and it is expected that in two years, the hospital will be ready for occupation.”
Eight months later, on May 10, 1935, the foundation stone was laid by then governor Sir William Peel, naming the building Queen Mary Hospital.
