A Brief History of Establishment and Development

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) medical service was in a state of disunity during the post-war period. There had been no organizations of TCM physicians nor had there been any collective research work done in TCM. In order to preserve and nurture this traditional skill, the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association (SCPA) was established in 1946.

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 subsidized 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, Chung Hwa Free Clinic established it's first branch 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 redevelopment plans of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).  On 27^th October 1967, second branch was set up in Geylang but also stopped its operation on the 30^th June 1994 due to the same reason. 

In 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 at Toa Payoh. It housed an outpatient clinic, the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Chinese Medical & Drugs Research Institute and the Chinese 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 Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution in year 2003. 

Today, Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution is one of the largest TCM organization in Singapore. It provides highly subsidized Traditional Chinese Medical consultation to the general public regardless of race, nationality and religion where only a token service charge of S$2 is collected from the patients.  Only a nominal fee is charged for medication and it 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 at the four establishments; of which 19 of them are resident physicians and the rest are volunteer physicians .  

Our group of institution has treated approximately two million patients in the past 52 years, of which about 69% of the cases were handled by the Toa Payoh Headquaters.  On average, our institutions see about 1,000 patients a day, among which 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: