Chow Khuen Wai Interventional Radiology Research Fund

In 2024, the Chow Khuen Wai Interventional Radiology Research Fund was launched to mark the 65th anniversary of the introduction of the Seldinger technique of vascular catheterisation in Singapore by the late Dr Chow Khuen Wai.

Dr Chow Khuen Wai served as the Head of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) from 1968 to 1984, as Founding Chairman of the Chapter of Diagnostic Radiologists in the Academy of Medicine Singapore (AMS) in 1974, and as the Master of the AMS from 1982 to 1984.

Dr Chow’s expertise and leadership facilitated the growth of Interventional Radiology in Singapore, establishing the sub-specialty as a cornerstone of modern healthcare in the country, improving patient outcomes across a spectrum of medical conditions.

The late Dr Chow Khuen Wai

Interventional Radiology (IR) is image-guided minimally invasive surgery. It is one of the most rapidly expanding medical subspecialties worldwide, owing to its versatility, effectiveness and reduced morbidity of procedures, compared to traditional surgery. IR procedures mean a lower complication rate, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and faster return to work and normal activities for patients.

The Seldinger technique, pioneered in 1953, markedly improved the safety and effectiveness, and reduced the morbidity of obtaining vessel access for angiography. The technique has been modified and applied to a staggering range of procedures spanning almost all hollow structures, in addition to the femoral artery as originally described. Seldinger-based IR techniques have become indispensable in both emergency and elective settings, for all ages from the newborn to the very elderly.

Examples include stroke treatments, removal of life-threatening blood clots in the pulmonary artery, tumour treatments, drainage of infected collections, nutritional therapy, fertility treatments – the list goes on. Given the minimally invasive methods, there is no need for large skin or muscle incisions, allowing more rapid recovery for patients. IR procedures can even be applied to treat patients who are too unwell to receive open surgery.

Advances in IR over the years have led to marked improvement in outcomes and quality of life for patients, and have been made possible through relentless innovation and research by the IR community.

Today, Interventional Radiology in Singapore is on par with the world’s major medical centres, and the largest local Interventional Radiology service, at SGH, performs more than 12,000 procedures per year.

We would like to seek your generous support to advance Interventional Radiology Research in Singapore and beyond, by making a gift to the endowed Chow Khuen Wai Interventional Radiology Research Fund. The Fund will provide sustained resources for research initiatives that improve patient care and outcomes for our patients requiring IR therapies. There's no amount too small.

Net proceeds from this fundraising effort will go towards research initiatives in Interventional Radiology. Tax deductions for donations are applicable to Singapore tax residents only. Eligible donations will receive tax deductions of 2.5 times the donation value. Your gift will also be presented for dollar-to-dollar government matching, doubling your gift impact, under our SingHealth Duke-NUS academic medicine partnership.

Should you need more information, please contact the RADSC ACP secretariat: Ms Koh Xin Ting ([email protected]).

SGH Health Development Fund is part of SingHealth Fund (UEN 201624016E), an Institution of a Public Character. All donations received are managed and administered by SingHealth Fund.

Chow Khuen Wai Interventional Radiology Research Fund

Prof Ivy Ng

SingHealth GCEO