History of Medical Education in Singapore

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has played a pivotal role as a cornerstone of medical education in Singapore since its early days. The roots of medical training in the country trace back to 1905, when the first medical institution was founded through the philanthropy of a local entrepreneur and a petition from citizens.

The original institution, named "The Straits and Federal Malay States Government Medical School," was initially housed in the Tan Teck Guan building. The school's first intake comprised 23 students. In 1920, the school was renamed King Edward VII College of Medicine in recognition of a significant gift. In the same year, a new SGH building was also rebuilt and officially opened.

By 1949, the College of Medicine Building became the Medical Faculty of the University of Malaya. The proximity of the Medical Faculty to the main general hospital solidified SGH's role as a teaching hospital, facilitating exposure to various disciplines and providing students with extensive clinical experience.

SGH continued to be a major teaching hospital until 1986, when the National University of Singapore's (NUS) medical school and university departments moved to a new campus. However, SGH still significantly contributes to NUS's medical education, handling approximately a quarter of its teaching load. About 48% of SGH's clinical staff hold teaching appointments with NUS, ensuring the hospital's continued involvement in training future generations of doctors.