Old Changi Hospital, located in Singapore, is a now-defunct medical facility with a rich and complex history spanning nearly nine decades. Originally constructed in 1935 as part of a British military base, the hospital has undergone numerous transformations and has become infamous for its alleged paranormal activity.
The hospital’s origins trace back to the British colonial era when it was built to serve the Royal Engineers in Kitchener Barracks, the Royal Artillery in Roberts Barracks, and the Gordon Highlanders in Selarang Camp. During World War II, the Japanese occupation saw the facility repurposed as a prison camp, with unconfirmed reports suggesting its use as a torture centre by the Kempeitai, the Japanese military police.
After the war, the hospital resumed its original function, serving various military entities including the Commonwealth Forces. It was renamed several times, operating as the ANZUK Hospital, UK Military Hospital, and later the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Hospital. In 1976, it merged with Changi Chalet Hospital and was simply known as Changi Hospital.
The facility ceased operations on 15 December 1997 when it merged with Toa Payoh Hospital to form the new Changi General Hospital in Simei. Since then, the old buildings have stood abandoned, becoming a source of fascination for urban explorers, paranormal enthusiasts, and filmmakers alike.
The reputation of Old Changi Hospital as one of Singapore’s most haunted locations has grown significantly since its closure. Numerous ghost sightings and unexplained phenomena have been reported over the years. Visitors have claimed to encounter apparitions dressed in pre-war clothing and spirits in medical uniforms roaming the corridors. Some have reported hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and other mysterious sounds echoing through the empty halls.
One particularly chilling account involves a cyclist who, while filming the exterior of the hospital, captured footage of a mysterious black figure appearing and vanishing at a window. Such incidents have fueled the hospital’s reputation as a paranormal hotspot.
The abandoned hospital has also served as a backdrop for various film and television productions. Popular MediaCorp series such as “Growing Up”, “The Crime Hunters”, and “Incredible Tales” have used the location for filming. In 2010, the mockumentary “Haunted Changi” was produced, further cementing the hospital’s place in local folklore.
In recent years, there have been attempts to repurpose the site. In 2006, the Singapore Land Authority put up the site for commercial lease, with plans to convert it into a luxury spa resort. However, this project never materialised, and the property was returned to the state in 2010.
As of April 2021, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) launched a competition to gather ideas on how to repurpose Old Changi Hospital while preserving its quiet and rustic charm. This initiative demonstrates the ongoing interest in finding a new purpose for this historically significant site. On 3 November 2021, there is a proposal to transform the Old Changi Hospital into a stargazing observatory and aviation viewing deck has won a competition aimed at revamping the Changi Point area. It was named Ascending to the Sky and placed first in the open category in a contest for ideas to repurpose the old hospital. The competition was organised by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA).
Today, Old Changi Hospital stands as a silent reminder of Singapore’s past, its abandoned halls and overgrown grounds a stark contrast to the modern, bustling city-state. While its future remains uncertain, its place in Singapore’s cultural imagination is secure, continuing to captivate the public with its blend of history and mystery.
