Sarawak Heritage Society seeks audience with DID Sarawak to preserve historic Nurses’ Quarters

Old Nurses’ Quarters located at the junction of Jalan Crookshank and Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg (opposite Sarawak General Hospital) in Kuching. Photo credit: Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS)

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 7: Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS) has announced its intention to seek an audience with the Director of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Sarawak to discuss the preservation of the historic Nurses’ Quarters building at the junction of Jalan Crookshank and Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg opposite Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here.

According to a press release from SHS president Datin Rosemarie Wong-Jabu, the society proposed retaining the current building as a heritage site while the State government identifies another location for flood mitigation.

“But if this is ultimately the only possible site for the retention pond, perhaps authorities can consider retaining parts of the building, at the very least the facade, to keep the historical integrity of this significant site,” she said.

Wong-Jabu further emphasised that the Colonial architectural style of the old Nurses’ Quarters mirrors the older section of the SGH building, which is still used as part of the hospital, and the facade is authentically preserved by the Ministry of Health.

“As the Nurses’ Quarters, this sentimental building would have had a rich history, and noble purpose to house trained and skilled nurses in the important service of health care.

“This building represents the architecture of a period of Sarawak’s history. It is elegant and designed to fit its purpose: a comfortable and landscaped establishment to house young ladies from all over Sarawak who have come to be trained as nurses. There is social care and culture embedded in the design.

“SHS and concerned public members believe we should at the very least honour and preserve the building site as a place of salvation that would have touched the lives of so many people through these nurses,” she noted.

She added that the building could be repurposed as a home for deserving families of those seeking treatment at SGH, or it could be used to host medical history exhibitions and inspire more people to enter the nursing profession.

“The Nurses’ Quarters is a living testimony of medical development in Sarawak, and it is imperative that we preserve this building for future generations.

“It is a monument, and as such is part of our heritage. It’s a monument to the pioneering of the outstanding nursing profession of Sarawak!”

Furthermore, Wong-Jabu highlighted that SHS agreed that a proper investigation should be conducted, and a second opinion should be sought.

She remarked that the society is grateful that a stop work order has been proposed, and recommended the Nurses’ Quarters be appraised and considered for listing.

“Any member of the public wishing to contribute ideas on alternative engineering methods to mitigate flood issues while preserving the Nurses’ Quarters are welcome to do so by contacting SHS via our website at http://www.sarawakheritagesociety.com.”

On Aug 4, Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the Sarawak government will look into the call for the Nurses’ Quarters to be preserved.

He noted that SHS has written to him, calling for the preservation of the Nurses’ Quarters.

Meanwhile, on Aug 6, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, stated that the plan to demolish the historic Nurses’ Quarters should be put on hold while alternative proposals to mitigate flooding in the surrounding area are studied. — DayakDaily