Our head of department
2012 - current: Dr. Ling Khoon Lin
2010 – 2012: Associate Professor Ooi Choon Jin
2004 – 2009: Associate Professor Chow Wan Cheng
1991 – 2003: Professor Ng Han Seong
1987 – 1990: Professor Ong Yong Yau
1970 – 1986: Professor Seah Cheng Siang
1965 – 1969: Dr Gwee Ah Leng
Who we are
The Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and holistic management of all gastroenterological diseases. Our mission is to provide professional care to our patients which is competent, comprehensive, compassionate and cost-effective.
We believe in giving back to society and our specialists are actively involved in the nation’s gastroenterology interests, including serving on the executive committees of local societies (Gastroenterological Society of Singapore, National Foundation of Digestive Diseases), local specialty training (Specialty Training Committee) and the local Gastroenterology chapter in the Academy of Medicine Singapore.
What we do
Gastroenterology is the specialty involved in the study of digestive diseases. This includes the gastrointestinal tract (ie. from the mouth all the way down to the anal orifice), liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Common diseases we manage include irritable bowel disease, motility disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, early gastrointestinal cancers, acute or chronic pancreatic disease, malabsorption and malnutrition. Our specialists are competent in a variety of procedures, including basic endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy), advanced diagnostic / therapeutic endoscopy (endoscopic ultrasound and needle-aspiration, narrow-band imaging, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticoscopy, wireless capsule endoscopy, double/single-balloon enteroscopy, Spirus® endoscopy, endoscopic mucosal resection of early cancer, endoscopic luminal stenting, endoscopic haemostasis of variceal/non-variceal haemorrhage), and motility studies. We also provide enteral / parenteral nutritional support to patients with malnutrition.
Hepatology is a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, which focuses on liver diseases. Common diseases we manage include viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, drug-induced liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, biliary cirrhosis, advanced liver cirrhosis, complex portal hypertension, hepatobiliary cancer and pre- and post-liver transplant care.
The department has also led several initiatives to provide multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic or complex diseases (see history below) to provide holistic, seamless care. We provide round-the-clock care for any gastroenterology or hepatology emergency, such as gastrointestinal tract bleeding, acute liver failure or emergent liver transplant.
Our training
Our doctors are required to have completed a basic degree in medicine (in a local medical school or one recognized by Singapore’s Ministry of Health) and a year of housemanship (or internship equivalent). After which, Basic Specialty Training is completed in another 3 - 4 years. In order to be eligible for further training, the doctor is required to acquire a Masters degree in Internal Medicine (or equivalent). Advanced Specialty Training in Gastroenterology is awarded to the successful applicant by Singapore’s national Specialty Training Committee (Gastroenterology) for 3 years.
A gastroenterologist in our department would have completed advanced specialty training (or its equivalent), as a minimum requirement.
The department offers its gastroenterologists the opportunity to practice as specialists or to further sub-specialise within their individual areas of interest.