The Beri-beri-hospital at Loeboek Pakam was established for the coolies who worked on the plantations of the East Coast of Sumatra. These workers were affected by beri-beri, a disease for which there seemed to be no cure. The symptoms were very disturbing and led to extreme weakness and death.

Yet astonishing effects were observed when the afflicted people were evacuated to other places, sometimes on the same island, sometimes elsewhere. The hospitals at Buitenzorg on Java and at Loeboek Pakam reported satisfying results due to the change of air and surroundings.

The hospital at Loeboek Pakam was a temporary institution, made for the treatment of prisoners, suffering from beriberi. The opening was in 1898 and due to satisfactory results of research it was close on 27th February 1924.