Former Kandang Kerbau Hospital gazetted as national monument

As the birthplace of more than 1.2m babies, old hospital is special to Singaporeans: NHB

- Ng Keng Gene Correspondent

Three blocks of the former Kandang Kerbau Hospital in Hampshire Road were collectively gazetted as Singapore’s 76th national monument on Oct 1, with a special public exhibition launched to mark the occasion.

It was on Oct 1, 1924, that Kandang Kerbau Hospital - which has a history that dates back to 1858 — opened as a free maternity hospital specialising in gynaecology and childbirth.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who officiated the gazette at the former hospital on Oct 1, said the facility stands as a physical reminder for many first entering parenthood.

“It also honours the dedication and professionalism of our healthcare professionals across the ages,” said Mr Neo, who also launched the special exhibition, called The Architecture Of Care.

In a statement, the National Heritage Board (NHB) noted that the former hospital holds an important place in Singaporeans’ social memory as the birthplace of more than 1.2 million babies from 1924 until the hospital moved across the road in March 1997 to its present location. It was also in 1997 that the hospital took its current name, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

In 2004, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) took over the old hospital premises, which the agency has used as its headquarters till today.

The three blocks forming the monument occupy roughly half of a 3.5ha plot of land — equivalent to the area of about five football fields - that has been earmarked for housing.