“The history of this hospital resembles that of the Lazarushuis at Batavia: at first an establishment arose in the town of Ambon, but had to be removed to a smaller island, Molanen. The leprosy home on the island was founded in 1701. From 1701 until 1714 the number of lepers increased from 74 to 100. They came from far and abroad, even from Makassar. This town even contributed annually to the asylum. The Ambon church and the indigenous chiefs looked after its upkeep. The hospital was staffed by a derde chirurgijn(third surgeon), a corporal and four soldiers. Regent (Supervisor) was the chief of  Saparoea. Like elsewhere in the Indies the number of patients decreased and in 1764 there was only one man, two women and six children left. In 1765 an attack by people from Ceram destroyed the hospital  and killed one of the patients. Afterwards, it was restored and replaced by a new institution in 1853.” (Zondervan, Patients of the Colonial State, 44-45).

Bij de foto: Collectie Tropeninstituut TM nr. 60014201.jpg: A number of buildings at the leprosy institution of Ambon.

The Government Decision no. 14 of 28 January 1923 mentions a subsidy that was accorded to facilitate construction and inventory of this institution. Bed capacity grew to 195 beds and bedoccupation was 100 % (71,723 nursing days).
In 1937 the subsidy was established ad f 0.26 per nursing day.