Serangoon TCM Centre: 
THE KWSH STORY
Our Heritage, Our Future
Founded in 1910, Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital has grown from a charitable clinic into one of Singapore’s most trusted providers of community and long-term care. Rooted in service and resilience, our story reflects over a century of compassion, adaptation, and commitment to those in need.
1910
Birth of Kwong Wai Shiu Free Hospital
In the early 20th century, faced with widespread infectious diseases and limited healthcare access for the Chinese community in Singapore, a group of Cantonese merchants established the Kwong Wai Shiu Free Hospital (KWSFH) in 1910. It was modelled after the Guangzhou Free Hospital and named using the first Chinese characters of three Canton prefectures — Guangzhou (Kwong), Huizhou (Wai), and Zhaoqing (Shiu). This effort was a collaboration between local Chinese leaders and the colonial government. A significant milestone was reached in 1911 when Wong Ah Fook and then-Governor Sir John Anderson signed a 99-year land lease agreement for just one dollar a year, setting the foundation for a hospital that would provide free medical care to the community.
1910
The First 50 Years (1911–1960)
From its founding, KWSFH offered both Western and Chinese medical services, including inpatient and maternity care. Its early operations faced financial challenges, prompting founder Yow Ngan Pan to travel across Malaya to solicit donations. A partnership with Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng also enabled free funeral services for deceased patients.
The Hospital continued operating through the Japanese Occupation during World War II. After the war, KWSH undertook a major redevelopment project between 1950 and 1959, which included constructing or refurbishing 11 buildings, significantly upgrading its infrastructure and sanitation to better serve the public.
1910
The Second 50 Years and Beyond (1960 – Present)
From the 1960s onwards, KWSFH expanded its services and in 1974 opened its doors to all Singaporeans, regardless of race, dialect group or religion, renaming itself Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital (KWSH). Continuing its commitment to elderly care, KWSH has grown into a major player in the intermediate and long-term care sector. A major redevelopment transformed the Hospital into a regional community healthcare network with new facilities like a 12-storey nursing home and conserved heritage buildings. Since 2017, it has expanded its nursing home services and care centres (including Senior Care Centres and Active Ageing Centres). With the launch of our chronic sick wards and KWSH @ Potong Pasir, KWSH now operates a comprehensive care network catered to Singapore’s ageing population.
ABOUT THE HERITAGE GALLERY
Preserving Our Past to Inspire the Future
Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital’s Heritage Gallery (KWSHHG) was established in 2018 with the aim of sharing our heritage and inspiring future generations to uphold the philanthropic spirit of our forefathers.
KWSHHG is demarcated into five zones (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth) based on the theory of the Five Elements, a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine – a key service since the inception of our operations. Housed in a building that was built in 1857, the gallery showcases many memorabilia and stories of individuals whose lives were so intricately connected with that of KWSH.
THE FIVE ZONES
Explore the Five Elements of Our Heritage
Each zone represents a core element of our story and Traditional Chinese Medicine — a service KWSH has embraced since our early days.
Metal Zone
Milestones of Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital since 1850s and how that shaped KWSH’s development over the decades
This zone highlights key milestones in Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital’s journey and how they have shaped its growth and evolution. Featured events include the founding of the Hospital, its operations during the Japanese Occupation, the construction of the Main Ward Building, the expansion of services to all communities regardless of race, religion, or dialect group, and the expiration of KWSH’s 99-year land lease in 2010.
Water Zone
Voyage to Southeast Asia: our forefathers’ journey from China to Singapore, which explores the origins of the Hospital
Today, in the 21st century, many medical institutions stand tall in the island city. It is hard to imagine that more than a century ago, Singapore was a bustling port city with 300,000 living here but medical services were sorely lacking. After being approached by the Colonial Government, a group of Cantonese businessmen decided to set up KWSH in 1910. The Hospital provided free outpatient services to the public. Free hospitalisation services were also provided for immigrants from the Cantonese prefectures of Guangzhou, Huizhou and Zhaoqing.
Wood Zone
Beyond Dollars and Cents, a representation of growth that charts the development of the Hospital and its significant contributions to society
The Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Ordinance outlined that the Hospital would provide free consultation services, medication and hospitalisation with the help of public donations. Going beyond its duty, since the 1920s, the Hospital collaborated with Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng to provide funeral and burial service for deceased patients. During the Japanese Occupation, despite the destruction of part of its compound, the Hospital collected the bodies of war victims from its vicinity and buried them.
Fire Zone
Passion to Go Beyond
Symbolising continuous improvement and dedication, this zone showcases KWSH’s ongoing efforts to enhance its services and facilities. Initiatives include the expansion of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Centre, the establishment of a Day Rehabilitation Centre, and the introduction of Home Care Services to support homebound elderly. These enhancements reflect the Hospital’s commitment to evolving with the needs of the community.
Earth Zone
In the spirit of service, the land on which KWSH was rooted and flourished, highlights the Hospital’s determination to carry on its legacy and forge an even brighter future
Thanks to the support of volunteers, Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital is able to give back abundantly to the community. Our volunteers have helped to raise money for the needy – as far back as the Bukit Ho Swee Fire in the 1960s – and have organised community outreach programmes. Medical volunteers enable the Hospital to provide free health screenings.
Our volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes and are the unsung heroes of Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. Over the years, the Hospital has relied on public donations as well as fundraising events to cover the increasing cost of running the Hospital. Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital’s century-old foundation is built upon the generous efforts of many members of society. Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital is determined to further pursue its mission, while preserving its history and the traditional cultural values of our forefathers.
KWSH’S HERITAGE TRAIL
Tracing the Footsteps of Our Legacy
01
Heritage Trail Map
The journey begins at the foot of KWSH’s Modern-style three-storey Main Building constructed in 1960. The construction fee of $300,000 was funded by public donations. On 13 December 1959, Mr Leung Yun Chee, the founder of Leung Kai Fook Medical Company, laid the foundation stone for the Main Building. With the addition of the Main Building, KWSH was able to accommodate over 300 patients in its 28 medical, obstetric and tuberculosis
wards in the 1960s. Today, the Main Building is known as Block A and remains a key landmark in Serangoon Road due to its prominent frontage.
02
Community Hub – Block A
Block A no longer houses any ward but is instead used to enhance community healthcare. It now houses other healthcare providers and community partners.
03
The Pavillion
Built in 1958 with the kind donation of Mr Cai Bingkun, the pavilion is an iconic spot of KWSH today. The pavilion’s Chinese name, 霍然 (Huo Ran), denotes speedy recovery.
04
Former Tan Tock Seng Hospital Wards / Tree planted by Mr Goh Chok Tong
Blocks C, D and E are conserved buildings. Built in 1857, the three blocks were formerly the old wards of Tan Tock Seng Hospital till 1909.
05
Tree planted by Mr Lee Kuan Yew
The Flame of the Forest tree was planted by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who visited KWSH on 14 December 1963. This is one of the oldest surviving trees planted by Mr Lee in Singapore. In April 2015 (a month after Mr Lee Kuan Yew passed away), the tree that was not flowering previously suddenly saw a burst of colourful flora.
06
Nursing Home – Block B
Six old buildings, which were built as early as 1951, were demolished to make way for the 12-storey nursing home. The old buildings used to house facilities such as a maternity ward, an administration department, a Rehabilitation Centre and a TCM Centre.
07
Tree planted by Mr Lee Hsien Loong
On 6 October 2018, then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong graced the official opening of the redeveloped KWSH and planted a Mempat tree to commemorate the occasion.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Visit Us Today
Block D, Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital
705 Serangoon Road
Singapore 328127
heritage@kwsh.org.sg
Mon to Sat: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Closed on Sundays & PH
BOOK YOUR VISIT
Arrange a Gallery Visit
Plan your visit to the KWSH Heritage Gallery by completing the form below. Visits are self-guided and free of charge. We look forward to welcoming you during our operating hours.
Have questions? Reach out to us at heritage@kwsh.org.sg.
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