Quick answer. Hepatologists are liver specialists — gastroenterologists who focus on diseases of the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. They diagnose and manage fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASLD), viral hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis and its complications, autoimmune liver disease, liver cancer and liver transplantation. The Singapore hepatologists below are grouped by area of focus; most see patients on referral, often after an abnormal liver blood test or scan.
Hepatology is the branch of gastroenterology dealing with the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. It covers fatty liver disease (NAFLD, now often called MASLD), viral hepatitis B and C, alcohol-related and autoimmune liver disease, cirrhosis and portal hypertension, liver cancer, and the assessment and follow-up of liver transplant. Because fatty liver in particular is increasingly common, many liver problems are first picked up on a routine blood test or scan. The directory below groups Singapore hepatologists by their main focus.
How we compiled this directory
This is an editorial directory, not a ranking or endorsement. We list hepatologists practising in Singapore, grouped by area of focus, compiled from public hospital and clinic listings. Always verify a doctor’s current registration and specialist accreditation on the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) Register of Specialists, and choose based on your needs, your GP’s referral and your insurance.
Viral hepatitis, cirrhosis & chronic liver disease
- Adj A/Prof Wong Guan Wee — Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine (Hepatology / liver (autoimmune liver disease, viral hepatitis, portal)
- Adj Prof Mark Dhinesh Muthiah — Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine (Hepatology / liver (liver transplantation, NAFLD, hepatocellular carci)
- Clin Assoc Prof Goh Boon Bee George — Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Hepatology / liver (NAFLD, viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver tra)
- Clin Assoc Prof Jason Chang Pik Eu — Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital (Hepatology (liver cirrhosis & portal hypertension))
- Clin Asst Prof Rahul Kumar — Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Hepatology / liver (viral hepatitis, liver cancer, liver failure))
- Dr Lim Eilyn — Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of General Medicine (Hepatology / chronic liver disease (fatty liver, viral hepatitis, cirr)
Liver cancer & transplantation
- Prof Tan Chee Kiat — Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital (Hepatology (liver cancer & transplantation))
General hepatology & liver disease
- Clin Assoc Prof Chow Wan Cheng — Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (hepatology)
- Dr Chia Chung King — gutCARE (hepatology)
- Dr Marianne Anastasia De Roza — gutCARE (hepatology)
- Dr Mark Fernandes — gutCARE (hepatology)
Fatty liver: the fast-growing liver problem
The most common liver condition in Singapore today is fatty liver disease — now often called NAFLD or MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease). It is closely tied to being overweight, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and it frequently causes no symptoms, so it is often discovered by chance on a blood test or ultrasound. In many people it is mild, but in some it drives inflammation and scarring that can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer over years. The encouraging part is that a lot can be done: weight loss, physical activity, better control of diabetes and cholesterol, and cutting back on alcohol can slow or even reverse early fatty liver. A hepatologist can assess how much scarring is present — often with a non-invasive scan such as FibroScan rather than a biopsy — and put a monitoring and treatment plan in place.
What a hepatologist treats, and when to see one
A hepatologist manages fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis B and C, alcohol-related and autoimmune liver disease, cirrhosis and its complications (fluid, bleeding varices, encephalopathy), liver cancer, and the work-up and follow-up of liver transplantation, as well as abnormal liver blood tests and liver lumps found on scans. See one — usually on referral — for a persistently abnormal liver test, known hepatitis B or C, fatty liver with other risk factors, or a liver lesion needing assessment.
What to look for when choosing a hepatologist in Singapore
Match the hepatologist’s focus to your condition — for example a viral-hepatitis or cirrhosis expert, a fatty-liver/metabolic specialist, or a liver-cancer and transplant specialist. Consider their hospital and its access to imaging, liver biopsy, hepatobiliary surgery and, where relevant, a transplant programme and multidisciplinary cancer team. A GP or another specialist referral helps direct you to the right sub-specialist.
Public versus private care
Public (restructured) hospitals and private clinics both have experienced hepatologists. Public care is more subsidised and often the route for complex, multidisciplinary cases; private care offers more choice of doctor and shorter waits, at higher cost. Many specialists listed here work in, or trained at, the public institutions. Your GP can refer you either way.
Costs and financing
Liver care often involves ongoing monitoring, scans (such as FibroScan) and medication. Public-hospital care is subsidised and means-tested; MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield plans apply to eligible inpatient and some outpatient treatment, and chronic hepatitis B and C medications may have specific subsidy arrangements. Private care costs more with shorter waits. Confirm current fees and coverage with the clinic.
Common questions
What's the difference between a hepatologist and a gastroenterologist?
All hepatologists are gastroenterologists, but a hepatologist sub-specialises in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. General gastroenterologists manage the whole digestive tract; for complex liver disease a hepatologist is usually the right choice.
When should I see a liver specialist?
Usually on referral — for a persistently abnormal liver blood test, known hepatitis B or C, fatty liver with other risk factors (such as diabetes or obesity), a liver lesion on a scan, or signs of advanced liver disease. Your GP can direct the referral.
Is fatty liver serious?
Fatty liver is common and often silent, but in some people it progresses to inflammation, scarring and cirrhosis. It is closely linked to weight, diabetes and cholesterol, and much can be done to slow or reverse it — which is why assessment matters.
Can hepatitis B or C be treated?
Yes. Hepatitis C can now be cured with a short course of tablets in most people, and hepatitis B can be effectively controlled with long-term medication and monitoring to reduce the risk of liver damage and cancer. A hepatologist will advise on what you need.
Is liver treatment covered by MediSave or insurance?
Eligible inpatient and some outpatient treatment can draw on MediSave and MediShield Life/Integrated Shield plans, and public-hospital care is subsidised and means-tested; some hepatitis medications have specific subsidy schemes. Confirm fees and coverage with the clinic.
Related
This directory is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual. Details can change — verify registration on the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) Register of Specialists and confirm specifics with the clinic. See our editorial policy.
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