Singapore’s healthcare system is preparing for a major boost with the establishment of Eastern General Hospital (EGH) in Bedok North. Slated for completion between 2029 and 2030, this new medical facility will offer 1,400 beds and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care services. It will also be the first general hospital in Singapore to offer clinical services virtually before its official opening.

The leadership of EGH has been entrusted to two prominent healthcare veterans: Associate Professor Gan Wee Hoe and Associate Professor Augustine Tee. These appointments, effective from January 1, 2025, are part of SingHealth’s strategic effort to enhance healthcare delivery in Singapore, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the country’s aging population.

Associate Professor Gan will take on the role of pro-tem Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EGH. Currently serving as the CEO of SingHealth Community Hospitals, Prof Gan is an occupational physician with significant experience in healthcare management. He has been instrumental in overseeing the development of care delivery across SingHealth’s network of community hospitals. Additionally, he previously served as the Chief Medical Informatics Officer at Singapore General Hospital, where he led the electronic medical records system migration for the Singapore Armed Forces. As the pro-tem CEO of EGH, Prof Gan will steer the hospital’s strategic operations and development, ensuring its readiness to meet the demands of the local population.

On the other hand, Associate Professor Augustine Tee, the pro-tem Medical Board Chairman of EGH, brings a wealth of experience from his role as the chairman of the Medicine Division at Changi General Hospital. He has overseen 12 medical specialty departments and has been a leading figure in respiratory and critical care medicine. Prof Tee will play a pivotal role in shaping the clinical services and specialties at EGH, having already contributed to the hospital’s clinical care design through his leadership of the planning committee.

The hospital’s focus will be on transforming care delivery through innovative technologies and virtual healthcare services. Its goal is to significantly enhance the clinical outcomes for patients and the community. According to Prof Ng Wai Hoe, SingHealth’s group chief executive, Eastern General Hospital will play a key role in expanding Singapore’s healthcare capacity and addressing the growing healthcare needs of the population.

With its advanced infrastructure and leadership team, Eastern General Hospital is poised to become a cornerstone in Singapore’s healthcare landscape, providing quality and accessible care for years to come.