The starting point for the establishment of Panti ...

The starting point for the establishment of Panti Rapih Hospital was the establishment of the Onder de Bogen foundation or in Dutch, Onder de Bogen Stichting by the Yogyakarta Church administrators on February 22, 1927. As a sign of the physical construction of the hospital, it was started with the laying of the first stone by Mrs. C.T.M. Schmutzer van Rijckevorsel on September 14, 1928.

In January 1929, the five Sisters of Charity arrived. Caolus Borromeus from the Netherlands. They are Moeder Gaudentia Brand, Sr. Yudith de Laat, Sr. Ignatia Lemmens, Sr. Simonia, and Sr. Ludolpha de Groot. Because the building was not finished, the five sisters were entrusted to the Yogyakarta OSF Sisters monastery.

The construction of the hospital was finally completed in mid-August 1929 and on August 24, 1929 Mgr. A.P.F. van Velsen, SJ is pleased to bless the new building. On September 14, 1929 this hospital was officially opened by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII under the name Onder de Bogen Hospital.

Several years later, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII agreed to present an ambulance to the Onder de Bogen Hospital as an expression of appreciation for services for the indigenous community. The building is decorated with arches and the name Onder de Bogen provides a complete nostalgia for the CB Sisters who serve in this hospital for the mother convent of the CB Sisters in Maastricht Netherlands.

The sisters serve and care for the sick, alleviate the suffering of others according to the teachings of the Bible regardless of religion or nationality. Little by little sufferers come to be served and cared for. Increasingly and increasing in number. Among the sufferers, most of them were Dutch officials and Kraton relatives.

Meanwhile, the poor and weak have not been able to enjoy hospital services. The sisters became concerned and felt dissatisfied with this, because for the little people, the poor and weak they came to serve in this archipelago.

Therefore, the leadership of the CB Sisters in Maastricht urged the Management of the Onder de Bogen Foundation to provide facilities to serve the poor, poor and weak. But alas, the Onder de Bogen Foundation does not have sufficient funds for that.

Through the helping hand of the Brother FIC Congregation, who were willing to help build a special ward for the poor, which was later named Ward Theresia.

In the short time after Japan occupied Indonesia, great suffering soon swept across the country. Onder de Bogen Hospital was also not spared from suffering. Hospital management went awry. The financial situation for the hospital was really sad. Routine costs alone have to be covered with great effort.

Onder de Bogen Hospital was taken over to become the Japanese government hospital. Dr. Sentral as the Hospital Director, was transferred to the Bethesda Hospital which was also taken over by the Japanese government. The hospital leadership was handed over to Sr. Sponsaria, and Sr. Yvone was appointed as a General Officer of CB Sister in Indonesia. The hospital situation was getting worse.

The Japanese government also wants everything, including language that smells Dutch, not to be used in all parts of Indonesia. Also, the name of this hospital must be changed to the native name. Mgr. Alb. Soegijopranoto, SJ, the Bishop of the Diocese of Semarang agreed to give a new name �Rumah Rapih� which means Home of Healing.

After the Japanese occupation period, the Dwi Warna, Merah Putih, and the CB Sisters flew magnificently to return to the Panti Rapih Hospital. With a spirit of love, they took care of the Indonesian freedom fighters, including Mr. Commander of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Indonesia, General Soedirman.