02/09/2026
From 7 to 9 August 2026, a team from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and YCH travelled to Lunugamvehera in Sri Lankaโs Hambantota District ๐ฑ๐ฐ as part of a three-day medical outreach mission under missionCONNECT, a KTPH and YCH initiative and the first of its kind in NHG Health. The mission was organised in partnership with Tzu Chi International Medical Association.
Our staff from General Medicine, General Surgery, Dental Surgery, as well as Patient Service Associates joined a broader team of 170 volunteers providing GP, dental, Traditional Chinese Medicine and ophthalmology services. Over three days, the mission served 4,682 patients.
The GP team saw patients with acute and chronic conditions, conducted point-of-care tests, and carried out anthropometric measurements for children. The dental team treated 933 patients, transforming a hospital ward into a fully operational dental clinic equipped for extractions, scaling and fillings. Medications were also sourced locally to support local businesses.
For the KTPH and YCH contingent, the experience offered a different perspective on healthcare. Residents woke as early as 2 or 3am, queued from 6am and waited five to six hours for care, yet remained patient and grateful throughout.
Working with limited resources and alongside translators who helped bridge communication gaps, our staff adapted to the challenges on the ground while providing care to the community.
They returned home having given their time and expertise, but also with a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper appreciation for the privilege of serving, and memories that will last a lifetime. ๐
