Giving Back: Dr Chee’s Medical Mission to Kolombangara Island

A group of healthcare professionals wearing blue scrubs standing together in a communal setting.

A Mission Close to Heart

In May 2026, Dr Chee Kin Ghee joined a team of volunteer doctors, nurses, and support staff from Singapore on a medical outreach mission to Kolombangara Island in the Solomon Islands. Organised by Karuna Medical International, a Singapore-based volunteer organisation, the initiative was made possible through partnership with Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL), a local company committed to community wellbeing.

 

A diverse group of medical professionals in scrubs and protective gear posing together in a clinical setting.

 

Bringing Care to Remote Communities

Over 3.5 days, the team worked alongside local healthcare professionals and community volunteers to deliver health screenings, medical consultations, minor procedures, and follow-up care. In total, 691 patients were seen and 41 minor procedures were carried out. For many residents of this remote island community, access to specialist care is not easily available, and the outreach offered a meaningful opportunity to receive attention that might otherwise be out of reach.

 

A community clinic with people waiting for medical attention, featuring healthcare professionals interacting with patients.

 

Working Alongside Local Teams

Beyond direct patient care, the mission also focused on knowledge-sharing with local healthcare staff to support their capacity to provide ongoing care within their communities. Seeing local nurses, doctors, and even high school volunteers step forward to contribute made the experience all the more meaningful for everyone involved.

 

A dental examination taking place in a local clinic, featuring two medical professionals attending to a patient while others assist in the background.

 

Dr Chee has long believed that medicine extends beyond the clinic walls. Participating in missions like this is a reminder of why many of us chose this path in the first place. The team at Spire Hand & Upper Limb Centre is proud to support efforts that bring care to those who need it most. We look forward to seeing what future collaborations with Karuna Medical International may bring.

 

A group of diverse individuals smiling in front of a sign that reads 'Welcome to K.P.L.' in a lush green setting.

Dr George Malefoasi, CEO of the National Referral Hospital, called the collaboration “a vital door for the Solomon Islands to access specialised expertise.”

Read the official government release here.

For enquiries about hand and upper limb conditions, request a consultation with Dr Chee Kin Ghee.