Dr. Desmond Wai is a gastroenterologist whose specialty interests include liver diseases, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, endoscopy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Helicobacter pylori infection.
Prior to private practice, Dr. Wai was Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist at the National University Hospital from 2003.
Dr. Wai obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1994. He also became a Member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom (MRCP) and received his Master of Medicine (MMed) in 1998. He became a qualified gastroenterologist in 2002.
Dr. Wai did a year of research and clinical fellowship in hepatology at the University of Michigan in U.S., under the mentorship of Professor Anna Lok, a world renowned hepatologist and past president of the American Association of Study of Liver.
Conducting scientific research is Dr. Wai’s greatest hobby. To date, he has published more than 90 full articles in peer reviewed journals including prestigious journals such as Hepatology, Liver Transplantation, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Gut, Liver International, American Journal of Medicine, Aliment Pharmacology and Therapeutics, GI Endoscopy. Clinics in Liver Diseases, J of Viral Hepatitis, Annals of Surgical Oncology, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
His interests in liver diseases has also allowed him to conduct various research and studies focused on liver transplantation, viral hepatitis B and C, and endoscopy. More than 80 medical articles were also published in peer reviewed medical journals such as Hepatology, American Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Gastroenterology, Alimentary Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics. Additionally, Dr. Wai has also published three book chapters on liver and digestive diseases.
Apart from clinical work, Dr. Wai also enjoys causal writing. He has been actively contributing articles to the Singapore Medical Association’s newsletter as well as local English and Chinese dailies. His contributions also extends to the Straits Times Forum, TODAY commentary, and other medical magazines. He also blogs at his Facebook page.
Dr. Wai’s clinical excellence is widely recognized. He has been awarded numerous awards, including the Singapore National Day Award for Overcoming SARS-Commendation Medal (2003), Young Clinician Award, Digestive Disease Week Thailand (1999), Health Manpower Development Program Fellowship (2002), National Healthcare Group’s Courage Award (2003), Young Investigator Award, Asia Pacific Digestive Week Award (2005), SMJ Reviewer Recognition Award (2005, 2009 and 2010), Poster with Distinction GESS ASM (2006), NUH Long Service Award (2006), SMJ Best Reviewer Award (2006). In 2011, Dr. Wai also received the Mother Theresa Award, an honour conferred by the National Public Library of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Dr Wai's specialty interests are cirrhosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, helicobacter pylori infection, irritable bowel syndrome, liver diseases, liver cancer and viral hepatitis.
