A Brief History of Establishment and Development

The objectives of the Association were: 

(i)      To promote research studies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM);

(ii)     To cultivate and train qualified TCM physicians;

(iii)    To expound and propagate the principles of medical science;

(iv)    To raise the standard of medical treatment and to provide free TCM medical services;

(v)  To promote fellowship among TCM Physicians and to protect their general interests. 

After the war, there were no well-equipped TCM settings for the public.  Given the lack of proper healthcare facilities, Chung Hwa Shi Zhen Suo (the former name of Chung Hwa Free Clinic) was established in 1952 with the support of the SCPA and broad masses.  The establishment of Chung Hwa Shi Zhen Suo was aimed at helping the poor and serving the society in general.

The clinic was housed in Chung San Huan Kuan, a local clan organization.   

In 1956, Chung Hwa Shi Zhen Suo was moved to the premises at Telok Ayer Street, and renamed as Chung Hwa Free Clinic. Having enjoyed the enthusiastic support from various institutions and the public, the first branch of this Free Clinic was established on 17^th March 1961 along Serangoon Road at the premises donated by Mr. Lam Chin Keong, a philanthropist.  However, the branch ceased operation in November 1986 due to the Government’s resettlement policy.  On 27^th October 1967, the second branch was set up in Geylang; but was also closed on the 30^th June 1994 due to the same reason. 

In the mid 1970s, the SCPA decided to establish a large, well-equipped and modern TCM clinic with the view to effectively cater to the needs of the patients.  The effort was well paid off. In October 1979, Toa Payoh Chung Hwa Free Clinic, a multi-million dollar facility was constructed. It housed an outpatient clinic, the Chinese Physicians Training College, the Medical & Drugs Research Institution and the Acupuncture Research Institute. 

In May 1994, with the help of Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, SCPA’s advisor and Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, a new branch was established in Yishun, which commenced service on 2^nd October 1995.  And in April 2000, another branch was set up in the Woodlands estate. Chung Hwa Free Clinic was renamed as Chung Hwa Medical Institution in year 2003. 

Today, Chung Hwa Medical Institution is the largest TCM organization in Singapore. It provides free traditional Chinese medical consultation to the general public regardless of race, nationality and religion.  Only a token service charge of S$2 is collected from the patients.  Medical treatment is free of charge.  The nominal fee may be waived if the patient is receiving aids from Ministry of Community Development.   

Following the modernization and progress of our society, our scope of consultation has expanded significantly over the years.  We now not only provide general medical consultations, dermatology, orthopaedics, acupuncture, gynaecology, paediatrics, and massotherapy, we also offer consultations in oncology, infertility, smoking cessation, stroke recovery, physiotherapy and other healthcare services. The institution has a total of 309 TCM physicians serving the year the four establishments; of which 19 of them are resident physicians and the rest are volunteers.  

Our group of institution has treated approximately two million patients in the past 52 years, of which Toa Payoh Chung Hwa medical Institution handled about 69% of the cases.  On an average, our institutions see about 1,000 patients a day.  Among them, 46% are above 51 years of age, 35% are between the age group of 31 to 50, and 19% are 30 years and younger.   

Following are some of the organization major event: