In 1976, two young doctors pooled their hard-earned savings of $80,000 to start their own practice just three years after graduating from medical school.
Dr Loo Choon Yong and his classmate Dr Alfred Loh, then 28 and 30, bought over two clinics in Singapore’s central business district. The partnership was sealed with a handshake after hours of discussion at a Housing Board carpark.
“We had wanted to go into private practice to give our patients our best,” recalls Dr Loo, now executive chairman of Raffles Medical Group.
Nearly five decades on, that modest beginning has grown into one of Asia’s leading integrated private healthcare providers. Today, the Singapore-owned group employs about 2,900 staff and has medical facilities in 14 cities in Singapore, China, Japan, Vietnam and Cambodia, totalling close to 50 million patient visits, serving more than 2.8 million patients and over 7,000 corporate clients.
It operates a fully integrated medical network, with services spanning health screenings, specialist care, diagnostic radiology, dentistry and traditional Chinese medicine.
For Dr Loh, the growth exceeded anything he had imagined. “Even in our wildest dreams, we could not have imagined that we would have one of the biggest networks of clinics in Singapore and our own hospital.”
Looking ahead, he says the group remains focused on amplifying its founding purpose.
“We want to continue to be a trusted healthcare partner for our patients through every stage of their lives, while bringing our model of integrated care to more communities across the region.”
As Raffles Medical Group marks its 50th anniversary in 2026, that journey is the focus of a year-long exhibition at Raffles Hospital, offering visitors a glimpse into how the organisation has evolved.
Keepsakes and stories from five decades of care
Centred on the theme “Caring across generations”, the exhibition traces how the group has grown alongside the country’s healthcare landscape while continuing to serve patients across different stages of their lives.
Visitors are guided through three exhibition zones that chart key milestones in the group’s development – from its beginnings as a two-clinic practice to its expansion into a regional healthcare network. Along the way, photographs and installation panels highlight pivotal moments in its journey. Exhibition panels also feature patient stories that reflect the medical team’s expertise and the role it has played in treating complex cases over the years.
Among the highlights is a curated collection of keepsakes contributed by the founders, including personal items, early photographs, hand-drawn sketches and memorabilia from the group’s formative years.
These include Dr Loo’s early medical call bag, used during house calls and ship calls in the group’s early years, as well as a hand-drawn sketch that later guided the redesign of Raffles Hospital. Protective equipment used during the Sars and Covid-19 outbreaks is also on display, reflecting the organisation’s role in supporting Singapore through public health crises. Together, they offer a peek into the decisions and experiences that shaped Raffles Medical Group’s growth, and the values that continue to guide its approach to care today.
Adding an interactive dimension to the exhibition is the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered installation that allows visitors to virtually try on Raffles Medical Group’s current medical uniforms. By scanning a QR code, visitors can generate and download a commemorative photograph, offering a family-friendly way to engage with the group’s history.
Beyond the main exhibition at Raffles Hospital, members of the public can also visit a specially designed photo booth near Bugis MRT station, Exit B. The installation offers another opportunity to create commemorative photographs while learning more about Raffles Medical Group’s 50-year journey. The installation, featuring a 50th anniversary design, offers another opportunity for visitors to mark the occasion while learning more about the group’s journey.
Visit the exhibition from now till the end of 2026 at the lobby of Raffles Hospital, 585 North Bridge Road (near Bugis MRT, Exit B).
Original source: sg