SINGAPORE ASSOCIATION OF PLASTIC SURGEONS

History of SAPS

HISTORY OF SAPS

The Singapore Association of Plastic Surgeons (SAPS) was formed in 1976, and in 4 decades has not only grown in strength of numbers but also in local and international stature.

SAPS started with four founding members: Dr Wong Kum Leng, Dr Lee Seng Teik, the late Dr R Sundarason, and Dr Chua Keng Cheok. The Singapore General Hospital was the very first hospital in Singapore with a plastic surgery unit, which in turn became the first training ground for the nation’s pool of board-qualified plastic surgeons. Today, rigorous training standards are applied throughout the several training institutes in Singapore, and close to a number of 70 qualified plastic surgeons operate in the public and private sectors, both locally as well as overseas qualified.
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    The Association actively and publicly promotes awareness for high quality plastic surgery while supporting its members in providing the highest and safest level of aesthetic and reconstructive surgical care. Furthermore, it organizes post-graduate activities for both plastic surgery trainees and its members, encouraging interaction and providing a bridge between the generations. Many internationally eminent plastic surgeons have been invited by the association to lecture, and educational talks are in turn given by SAPS members to trainees, nurses and members of the public. These educational initiatives serve to educate the local community on the advanced, safe plastic surgical procedures performed by its qualified members, while updating the knowledge and skills of our member surgeons and trainees. 


    Regionally and internationally, SAPS has been leading the way in fostering closer ties. In 1982, SAPS staged the first ASEAN Congress of Plastic Surgery in Singapore, which led to the formation of the ASEAN Federation of Plastic Surgeons, the first sub-section of the International Confederation of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. SAPS also serves as watchdog for the medical community, working in close consultation with the College of Surgeons, Singapore and the Singapore Medical Council to protect the public from harmful aesthetic and plastic practices. To this end, the Singapore Society of Cosmetic (Aesthetic) surgeons (SSCAS)was formed in 1979 under the auspices of SAPS to focus on developing and providing the standards for cosmetic and aesthetic plastic surgery in Singapore.


    The past 40 years has been full of exciting developments and challenges. With the continued support of its members, the Association is looking toward a bright future where it will continue to play a leading role in shaping the ever-changing landscape of plastic surgery locally and internationally, for many decades to come.


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