It was built in the 1930's, but was not originally intended to be a hospital and at first was used as a military command quarters and barracks. It was first used as a hostpital for the military during the war, when Changi was targeted by the Japanese army, and was a place that treated many injured soldiers and civilians. Also it is thought many people were tortured here as the rest of the hospital is open planned but one room is enclosed and as a door, the walls seem thicker and there seems to be evidence of chains where people may have been tied up.Many people died at the hospital. After the war it was converted to a public hospital with a military ward on the third floor. The hospital was closed in 1997 and the facility was replaced by the Changi General Hospital.