SINGAPORE \u2013 Wong Kirk Chuan will take over the helm of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Yishun Community Hospital (YCH) as their chief executive officer from Feb 1, taking the reins from Chua Hong Choon.<\/p>\n
Chua, the current CEO, will continue to serve as dean of NHG College after stepping down, while continuing his clinical practice as a senior consultant in psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), NHG Health said in a statement on Nov 2.<\/p>\n
The NHG Health Group includes KTPH, YCH, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Woodlands Hospital, NHG Polyclinics, IMH, National Skin Centre and National Centre for Infectious Diseases.<\/p>\n
Wong, who was chief operating officer of KTPH and YCH, was appointed CEO-designate on Nov 1.<\/p>\n
In its statement, NHG Health noted that he has spent more than two decades in Singapore\u2019s public healthcare system.<\/p>\n
As deputy CEO of the Agency for Integrated Care, Wong helped drive the nationwide roll-out of the Community Health Assist Scheme, which expanded subsidised care at neighbourhood GP clinics for lower- and middle-income Singaporeans.<\/p>\n
He also advanced the Primary Care Networks model, enabling family doctors to manage residents\u2019 chronic conditions closer to home, and implemented the Pioneer Generation Package. From 2017 to 2021, he was COO of population health at NHG Health.<\/p>\n
Wong is most recognised for his leadership in Woodlands Hospital\u2019s development and commissioning from 2014, NHG Health said.<\/p>\n
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he established and managed large-scale national community isolation, care and treatment facilities.<\/p>\n
In its statement, NHG Health said: \u201cAs CEO of KTPH and YCH, Dr Wong will bring a strong working knowledge of every part of the patient care journey, and with his proven leadership in large-scale transformation efforts, he is primed to advance the next phase of development of both hospitals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe Sim, group CEO of NHG Health, added: \u201cPatients need care that is connected as they move between hospital, community and home. <\/p>\n
\u201cKTPH and YCH are central to this one NHG Health system of care for the North. <\/p>\n
\u201cKirk Chuan has built his career connecting these parts, from national programmes that provide subsidised primary care, to opening Woodlands Hospital ready to serve residents from day one. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has the depth of experience and expertise to bring the hospitals forward as one system, and to keep care close to residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sim also paid tribute to the outgoing Chua, saying: \u201cHong Choon has shaped KTPH, YCH and IMH into institutions that place patients, families and staff at the heart of care. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe has shown that good care and the well-being of those who provide it must go together. <\/p>\n
\u201cHis work has made healthcare workers feel safer across the sector, not only in our hospitals. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank him for his leadership and look forward to his continued contributions at NHG College in developing the leaders who will carry One NHG Health forward in adding more years of healthy life for the population we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to leading KTPH and YCH, Chua served as CEO of IMH for 10 years.<\/p>\n