KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) has launched Singapore’s first dedicated paediatric Burn Centre, aiming to provide faster and more integrated care for children with burn injuries. The facility, which opened on 23 October 2025, is designed to shorten treatment times and enhance infection control measures, significantly boosting the country’s emergency response capabilities for young patients.
The new centre features innovative facilities such as consultation rooms connected to treatment areas, a specialised shower bed for wound cleaning under general anaesthesia, and a dedicated procedure room adaptable for mass casualty incidents. These advancements aim to minimise stress and anxiety for both children and their caregivers. Dr Gale Lim, Head of the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery at KKH, emphasised the importance of specialised care, stating, “In the critical first hours after a child sustains a burn, fast and effective treatment can mean the difference between life and death.”
KKH treats approximately 400 children with burn injuries annually, with infants and toddlers being the most vulnerable. The top causes of these injuries include scalds, contact burns, and friction burns. The centre also incorporates Child Life, Art and Music Therapy Programmes (CHAMPS) to help young patients and their families cope with the challenges of treatment.
The Burn Centre is strategically located next to the newly revamped Children’s Intensive Care Unit, ensuring rapid access to critical care. This initiative is part of KKH’s broader efforts to enhance its services and infrastructure, ensuring scalability and future readiness in critical care facilities.
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