Prof Tan Chee Kiat is a Senior Consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Singapore General Hospital. His clinical interests cover hepatology, liver cancer, liver transplantation and viral hepatitis. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore and a Fellow of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.
Clinical focus
Hepatology (liver cancer & transplantation).
Qualifications (as publicly listed)
MBBS (S'pore), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FAMS, FAASLD, PGDip MedEd (Dundee).
Where they practise
- Clinic / practice: Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital — Outram
- Hospital / training affiliation(s): Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
Getting to the clinic
Prof Tan Chee Kiat sees patients within the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), on the Outram campus in the city’s central-southern district. The most direct way to arrive by public transport is Outram Park MRT (EW16 / NE3 / TE17), an interchange on the East-West, North-East and Thomson-East Coast lines. From the station, the SGH campus is connected by sheltered walkways, and the SGH internal shuttle bus links the MRT exits to the various specialist outpatient blocks, which is helpful given the size of the site.
Several public bus services run along Outram Road and the surrounding roads. If you are travelling by car or taxi, the campus has multiple visitor carparks; ride-hailing and taxi drop-off points are signposted at the main entrances. Because SGH is a large teaching hospital with many buildings, it is worth checking your appointment letter for the specific block and clinic level, and allowing extra time to find your way and to park. Wheelchairs and assistance are available at the main lobbies if needed.
What hepatology covers
Hepatology is the branch of medicine concerned with the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas, and Prof Tan’s stated focus is on liver cancer and liver transplantation alongside general liver disease. The liver performs hundreds of functions, from processing nutrients and medicines to producing proteins and clearing toxins, so liver disease can affect the whole body. Conditions managed in this field include viral hepatitis (such as hepatitis B and C), fatty liver disease, and the scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis, which can progress quietly over years.
A particular emphasis of this subspecialty is the early detection and treatment of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), which often arises in livers already affected by chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Surveillance typically combines blood tests and imaging at regular intervals for people at higher risk. Where the liver is failing or a tumour cannot be treated by other means, liver transplantation may be considered, a complex undertaking that involves careful assessment of the patient’s overall health, the stage of disease and suitability for surgery, and lifelong follow-up afterwards.
What to expect at a consultation
A first hepatology consultation usually begins with a detailed history. The specialist will ask about your symptoms, alcohol intake, medicines and supplements, family history of liver disease, and any previous hepatitis infection or vaccination. A physical examination follows, looking for signs such as jaundice, fluid in the abdomen or an enlarged liver or spleen.
Investigations are central to liver care. These commonly include blood tests of liver function, viral hepatitis screening and tumour markers, together with imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI to assess the liver’s structure. Specialised tests of liver stiffness may be used to gauge fibrosis without surgery. The specialist will then explain the findings, the likely diagnosis and the options, which may range from monitoring and antiviral medication to procedures, surgery or transplant assessment depending on the condition.
Preparing for your appointment
- Photo identification and any GP or polyclinic referral letter.
- Previous blood results, scan reports or images on disc, and any hospital discharge summaries.
- A current list of all medicines and supplements, including over-the-counter and traditional remedies, since some affect the liver.
- Your hepatitis B or C status and vaccination history if known.
- A written list of your symptoms, how long they have been present, and the questions you most want answered.
- Details of alcohol intake and any family history of liver disease or liver cancer.
After your consultation and follow-up
After the visit you may be given a plan for further tests, medication or imaging, and a date to review the results. Chronic liver conditions are usually managed over the long term, with periodic blood tests and scans to track the disease and, where relevant, to screen for liver cancer. If a procedure, biopsy or transplant assessment is recommended, the clinic will arrange referrals and explain what each step involves.
Continuity of care matters in liver disease, so keep your follow-up appointments even when you feel well, as much liver damage causes few symptoms until it is advanced. You are entitled to seek a second opinion if you wish. Seek urgent medical attention for warning signs such as vomiting blood, black tarry stools, marked yellowing of the eyes or skin, confusion or drowsiness, or rapidly swelling abdomen.
Booking, referrals and fees
As SGH is a public hospital, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is generally needed and can help you access subsidised rates if you are eligible. Appointments are usually booked through the hospital’s specialist outpatient clinic system. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply to eligible investigations, procedures and hospital stays within set limits, while routine consultations are often paid out of pocket. Costs vary with the tests and treatment required, so confirm fees and any subsidy with the hospital before your visit.
Common questions
Do I need a referral to see a liver specialist at SGH?
For a public hospital clinic, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is generally required and may help you qualify for subsidised rates if eligible.
What tests are used to assess the liver?
Blood tests of liver function and viral hepatitis, imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI, and tests of liver stiffness are commonly used; a biopsy is sometimes needed.
Can liver disease be present without symptoms?
Yes. Conditions such as hepatitis B and early cirrhosis often cause no symptoms for years, which is why monitoring and screening are important for those at risk.
Why is liver cancer screening recommended for some people?
People with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis have a higher risk of liver cancer, and regular blood tests and imaging aim to detect it early when more treatment options are available.
Related guides
Sources & verification
See also: our editorial directory of gastroenterologists in Singapore and our shortlist of gastroenterology clinics.
This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.
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