ABSTRACT
Paediatrics is among one of the earliest specialties to develop in Singapore. At the end of the 1980s, there were some 100 practising paediatricians who were trained either locally or overseas. In 1989, there were 52 paediatricians registered as Fellows of Academy of Medicine, Singapore. The number was more than adequate for the formation of a chapter within the Academy. The inaugural meeting of the Chapter of Paediatricians was held on Friday, 31 March 1989 where a total of 24 members attended. The Chapter of Paediatricians functioned as a special group within the Academy, governed by its rules, regulations and by-laws. A number of academic activities such as lectures and scientific meetings were organised by the chapter. The formation of the Chapter of Paediatricians was to look after the interests of paediatricians in the Academy of Medicine. Over the years, it had functioned within the umbrella of the Academy and successfully organised many academic activities for its members. However, there were a number of restrictions for the Chapter. It was not financially independent and was not able to serve its members fully. Prof K Satku the Master of the Academy proposed that those Chapters with sufficient numbers could be transformed into Colleges so that the Colleges can be more independent. The main focus for the Colleges was to maintain professional standard and professional development. The Colleges would have their own rules and regulations and registered as a subsidiary company of Academy of Medicine, Singapore. The College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore, was incorporated on 17 August 2004. This was indeed a milestone in the history of medicine in Singapore and the paediatric fraternity.
Paediatrics is among one of the earliest specialties to develop in Singapore and its early development has been documented on various occasions.1-4 At the end of the 1980s, there were some 100 practising paediatricians who were trained either locally or overseas. They formed the core group of paediatric specialists providing excellent care for all the children in Singapore and the region. About 50% of these specialists are in public service, either in the restructured hospitals or in the National University of Singapore. The remaining 50% of these paediatric specialists were in private sectors.
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