Emeritus Prof WONG Hock Boon

FRCP & CH (UK), FRCP (London), FICP, FRCP (Glasgow), FRACP, FRCP (Edinburgh), DCH (London), FAMS (Paed), MRCP (Edinburgh), FRFPS (UK), MBBS (University of Malaya)
 



Outstanding Service Award

"If parents don't complain against you - yuo have done a good job. If they say 'thanks' to you - that is a bonus."

Lifetime Achievements
  • Known as Singapore's "Father of Paediatrics" for his seminal role in paediatric postgraduate training and education in Singapore
  • Raised the level of child health and paediatric care in Singapore
  • Contributed $1.5 million to the establishment of Wong Hock Boon Professorship in Paediatrics

NUS Portfolio
  • Emeritus Professor, National University of Singapore
  • Senior Fellow, Department of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore 1988 to 2003
  • First Director, School of Postgraduate Medical Studies, National University of Singapore: 1965-1988
  • Professor of Paediatrics, National University of Singapore: 1962-1988
  • Chief, World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Human Genetics

Service to Community and Nation
  • First Singaporean to be appointed Professor of Paediatrics
  • Set up a Department of Paediatrics, the first among medical schools in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong
  • Introduced the teaching of human genetics to students and doctors
  • Discovered 3 new abnormal haemoglobins – Hb. Singapore, Hb. J. Singapore, Hb. J. Meerut
  • Established presence of infectious mononucleosis
  • Introduced bone marrow transplantation
  • Introduced free visiting in children wards
  • Started rice-based oralytes for treatment of diarrhoea
  • Started prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases
  • Chairman of the Sale of Infant Food Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health
  • Medical Advisor to Singapore Breast-Feeding Mothers' Group
  • Responsible for the setting up of organisations such as the Singapore Spastics Association, Singapore Children's Society and Hemophilia Society of Singapore

Service to International Community
  • His research on kernicterus (damage in the brain of infants caused by jaundice) which is caused by Glucose-6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency led to a significant decrease in kernicterus incidences in Singapore and the region
  • Established the first chromosome laboratories and reference centre for Thalassaemia research in Southeast Asia
  • Conducted postgraduate medical lectures in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines besides Singapore
  • Initiated the formation of Southeast Asia Forum for Paediatricians in the Region (APSEAR)

International Standing
  • Founder Fellow, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, UK
  • Honorary Member, British Paediatric Association
  • Honorary Member, Australian College of Paediatrics
  • Honorary Member, Indian Society for Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy
  • Honorary Member, Singapore Paediatric Society
  • Fellow, Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Awards and Accolades
  • National Science and Technology Award, 1987
  • Most Outstanding Paediatrician in Asia Award, 1985
  • Guinness Award for Scientific Achievement, 1980
  • Meritorious Service Medal, 1975
  • Public Administration Medal (Gold), 1970