Gleneagles Hospital marks 65 years with orchid named in its honour

Brassocattleya Gleneagles symbolises resilience and honours the hospital’s Singaporean roots.

Gleneagles Hospital (GEH), one of Singapore’s longest-standing private hospitals, celebrates its 65th anniversary with a new orchid named in the hospital’s honour. The Brassocattleya Gleneagles, an exclusive hybrid orchid, was unveiled amidst a series of celebratory activities involving staff and community organisations.

The unveiling of the Brassocattleya Gleneagles, a hybrid of brassovalo and cattleya orchids, symbolises the hospital’s resilience and determination in facing the challenges of the ever-changing healthcare landscape. This unique orchid, resistant to heavy rain and hot weather, thrives in harsh tropical environments, reflecting GEH’s ability to endure and prosper.

"Brassocattleya Gleneagles is a specially bred orchid for us to commemorate the hospital's 65th anniversary. It acknowledges our Singaporean roots as the orchid is Singapore's national flower, and Gleneagles is a trusted made-in-Singapore healthcare brand that is highly regarded at home and abroad," said Thomas Wee, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital. He emphasised the significance of having the hospital's orchid, especially given its location next to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The anniversary celebration also provided an opportunity to reflect on Singapore's evolving healthcare landscape. "Singapore's population is rapidly ageing. In 2030, about one in four Singaporeans will be 65 and above," Wee noted. He highlighted the challenges this demographic shift brings, including an increasing chronic disease burden and rising healthcare costs.

Wee also discussed the national strategy to address these challenges, stating, "From 2023, Singapore introduced the Healthier SG initiative, a national strategy to help Singaporeans stay healthier and delay the onset of chronic diseases. We focus on preventive care, screening, and better management of chronic diseases." 

In alignment with these goals, Gleneagles has rebranded its A&E department as an Urgent Care Centre, enhancing accessibility for general patient care 24/7. The hospital has also embraced telemedicine and home care services in collaboration with Parkway Shenton. 

Despite these advancements, Wee acknowledged the growing demand for inpatient care. "We continue to invest in technologies and health delivery platforms to lower the inpatient length of stay so as to cater to more patients. This includes the use of robotic surgeries, which minimise surgical invasions, scarring, and blood loss, allowing faster recovery and shorter stays," he said.