Prof. Tan Kok Chai

Professor Tan Kok Chai is a senior consultant general and colorectal surgeon at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore's largest and oldest public hospital. With 35 years of specialist experience, MBBS, FRCS, and FAMS qualifications, he is among Singapore's most experienced colorectal surgeons. Singapore General Hospital is a JCI-accredited tertiary hospital and the flagship of SingHealth — Singapore's largest healthcare cluster — offering comprehensive surgical oncology and colorectal surgical services to local and international patients. Professor Tan's extensive experience in colorectal surgery and laparoscopic techniques, combined with his academic professorial role, reflects decades of clinical leadership in Singapore's surgical community.

Professor Tan holds MBBS and FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons) — one of the most demanding surgical credentials globally — and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Singapore (FAMS). His surgical training encompassed general surgery rotations at SGH and international centres, followed by subspecialty colorectal surgery training covering laparoscopic colectomy, anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, and complex pelvic surgery. His FRCS examination required demonstration of surgical competence to international standards. His professorial appointment at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Soo Lin School of Medicine reflects his sustained contributions to surgical education and research over three and a half decades.

Professor Tan performs the full spectrum of colorectal and general surgical procedures, including both open and laparoscopic approaches. His colorectal surgery expertise covers laparoscopic right and left hemicolectomy, sigmoid resection, low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, and abdominoperineal resection. He manages colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease complications, and complicated haemorrhoids requiring surgical intervention. His general surgery practice covers laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, and hernia repair. He leads multi-disciplinary colorectal tumour board discussions and contributes to pre-operative staging, surgical planning, and neoadjuvant therapy coordination for rectal cancer patients.

Singapore General Hospital is Singapore's flagship public hospital, ranked among the world's top hospitals and a major destination for international medical tourists seeking colorectal surgical expertise. SGH operates a comprehensive international patient centre providing visa assistance, translation services, accommodation guidance, and dedicated case coordination for overseas patients. Professor Tan's multilingual capability in English, Mandarin, and Hokkien ensures direct communication with patients from Southeast Asian and Chinese-speaking communities. Singapore Changi Airport provides unparalleled international connectivity, making SGH accessible from across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond for patients seeking world-class colorectal surgical care.

Professor Tan has received numerous recognitions across his 35-year career at Singapore General Hospital. He holds the FAMS designation from the Academy of Medicine Singapore — a peer-recognised mark of specialist excellence. His FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons is among the most demanding surgical qualifications globally. He has been recognised by SingHealth and the National University of Singapore for sustained clinical excellence and teaching contribution. He has presented at international colorectal surgery meetings and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications on laparoscopic colorectal surgery outcomes and rectal cancer management over his distinguished career.