TTSH History

In the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, Tan Tock Seng Hospital became a 'household name' as the hosptial and centre which housed numerous SARS patients. If its founder, Tan Tock Seng, were still alive today, he would have been proud to be greatly associated with this institution that saw to the care of many sick and dying SARS patients.

Tan Tock Seng was born in Malacca in 1798. There were three other boys in the family, two in China and one in Malacca. Tock Seng's father, Tan Whay Teck, could barely make ends meet for the family and poverty drove the young and ambitious Tock Seng to Singapore, seeking his fortune. Tock Seng was a survivor who had no qualms about trying out new things. Not long after settling in a foreign land, he kept his living by purchasing fruits, vegetables and fowl in the rural community and selling them in the town. With hard work and much favor, Tock Seng oepned a small shop along the Boat Quay riverside. He did this all on his own, with savings he had from selling fruits and vegetables.

According to Tan Tock Seng's great grandson, Tan Hoong Siang, his great grandfather was fluent in English and thus could communicate effectively with the Governor of his times, J.H. Whitehead. It was believed that this close-knit relation unlocked a chain of favors that led to Tock Seng's fortune-yielding speculative ventures, making him one of the richest Chinese in Singapore.

Tan Tock Seng was not merely famous for being one of the richest Chinese but also for being a philanthropist. His generosity towards the poor did not go unnoticed. Many Chinese immigrants were particularly grateful to Tock Seng for burying their deceased loved ones as a proper burial was of importance to the Chinese and life was too difficult for poor people then to afford burials. This quality of Tock Seng made him the first Asian to be made Justice of Peace by Governor Butterworth.

It was Tock Seng's generous donation of $5000 to the Chinese Paupers' Hospital that made him an honorable founders. Continued support from his wife and son for the hospital saw the day when the management of the hospital decide to rename the hospital after its great contributor, Tan Tock Seng.

Tan Tock Seng passed away in 1850, leaving behind wa wife, three daughters and three sons. Each child received a substantial sum of money and property and continued to build on the legacy that their father, Tan Tock Seng, had established.