Our History & Timeline
The history of Assunta Hospital is closely linked to the establishment of Petaling Jaya, a satellite city developed in 1952 to ease the problem of overpopulation in Kuala Lumpur. With a founding population of 800 people who stayed mostly at the area known as Old Town today, it soon became clear that Petaling Jaya needed a reliable healthcare provider.
Understanding the need for medical services, four Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) nuns started a small clinic called Ave Maria at Section 1 to serve the healthcare needs of the underprivileged in 1954. Through public donations, the little clinic was soon expanded to include a maternity home and convent.
By 1957, the population of Petaling Jaya had grown so rapidly that the clinic cum-maternity home could no longer meet the needs of the people. Led by philanthropist, the late Tun Leong Yew Koh, a large-scale fundraising event was organised, which successfully raised enough funds to build the hospital on its current location in 1959.
More firsts were in store, with the Kidney Unit established in 1967 and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 1971. Limited resources in terms of workforce and facilities were no match for the sheer dedication and deep compassion of the FMM sisters and the hospital.
In 1974, the Assunta Foundation was formed and the management of the now full-fledged hospital was handed over to a Board of Directors by the FMM sisters. The main function of the Board is to assist the hospital maintain a balance between providing affordable healthcare and sustaining the hospital’s operations amidst rising costs.
Unlike normal business models where shareholders get to enjoy a share of the company’ profits, the honorary members of the board, consisting of FMM sisters and prominent figures in society, contribute their time and effort on a voluntary basis to regulate the hospital operations.
Recognising the fact that human beings are not only physical, but also spiritual, emotional and relational beings, Pastoral Care services was established in 1988 to extend emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families.
A decade later, the Assunta Hospital Community Service (AHCS), now known as Assunta Integrated Social Services (ASSISS) was established to reach out to the under-privileged and to continue to address the needs of the community.
Being a not-for-profit establishment, the hospital operates on a premise of social entrepreneurship, where up to 50% of its profits are reinvested back for further expansion of the hospital, investment in new equipment and technology, renovation and modernization of the facilities and also to cover the operational costs of the hospital.
The remaining 50% is channelled to the Social Welfare Fund, to provide subsidised medical care to patients from the lower social economic group and those who qualify for medical aid, based on criteria set by the Social Welfare committee.
Assunta Timeline
1954
1955
1957
1960
1961
In May 1961, former Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dato’ Ong Yoke Lin (now Tun Omar Ong Yoke Ling), officially opened the hospital. As part of community service free clinics were held once a week in villages and squatter areas around Klang Valley such as Puchong and Sg Way. Services offered include ante-natal care, infant care, immunisation and general medical treatment. Milk was also donated to the poverty-stricken families with children less than a year-old.
1964
1965
1967
1970
1971
1974
1979
1988
1993
1994
1995
1996
2004
The hospital was presented with the National Creativity & Innovation Award in March 2004 marking yet another significant milestone in the hospital’s continuous provision of quality healthcare. In 2005, The New Wing Project commenced as a step forward in further positioning the hospital as a premier not-for-profit private medical institution in Malaysia. The project was completed in 2006 and was launched by Sultan Sharaffudin Idris Shah.
2007
2008
2009
2010
Assunta Hospital emerged as victor for successfully organizing the “Passionately You: Cervical & Breast Cancer Awareness ‘09” programme. The project was short-listed out of a total of 281 projects submitted by 58 hospitals from 10 Asia Pacific countries.
2011
Assunta Hospital was proclaimed the winner for successfully implementing an eco-friendly working environment in the Hospital Management Asia (HMA) award category of “Service Improvement for Internal Customers Project”.
2012
you@Assunta, an IOS mobile app for booking of health screening packages was launched.
2013
Assunta Hospital was bestowed the Excellence Award in Corporate Social Responsibility Project Category by Hospital Management Asia (HMA) at the 12th Annual Asian Awards Night held in Bangkok, Thailand.
2014
Assunta Hospital celebrates its 60th Anniversary.
2017
2018
2021
2022
2023
On 26th July 2023, Assunta Hospital was awarded the Hospital of the Year – Community at Heart by CSR Malaysia and World Sustainability Community in conjunction to Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2023.
Assunta Hospital received this award due to its dedication for impactful contributions towards society.