Allmänna Sjukhuset

“Imagine being the first patient ever admitted to Allmänna Sjukhuset.” Right here, where we stand today, was once a bustling hub of medical innovation. Allmänna Sjukhuset, also known as Malmö Allmänna Sjukhus (MAS), has a rich history. It all began in 1857. Jacob Malmborg, a forward-thinking mayor, spearheaded a fundraising campaign. He gathered support from wealthy families to build a hospital for everyone. This was revolutionary! It was the first hospital in Malmö to treat people of all social classes. On November 3rd, 1857, a 23-year-old farmhand became the first patient to experience care within its walls. Initially, Allmänna Sjukhuset only had 40 beds, but it expanded over time to accommodate up to 65 patients. The official inauguration took place in 1896. Imagine the anticipation as the doors opened to a building that had taken two years and a hefty sum of 424,022 kronor to construct! As the 20th century dawned, Allmänna Sjukhuset continued to grow, eventually reaching a capacity of 1,300 beds. It wasn’t your typical hospital centered around one massive block. It expanded organically with new pavilions added as needed. Notably, architect Salomon Sörensen, a prolific figure in Malmö’s architectural history, designed all the hospital buildings during his time. In 1948, a pivotal moment arrived when Allmänna Sjukhuset became a teaching hospital affiliated with Lund University’s medical faculty. This partnership solidified its transformation into a modern university hospital, attracting leading researchers and physicians. Ironically, although we stand within the hospital grounds, one specific building here houses Malmö University’s Faculty of Health and Society. You can find it at Jan Waldenströms gata 25. So, Allmänna Sjukhuset, a place where medical history and innovation intertwine, has shaped healthcare in Malmö.