Why Asia?

We focus our efforts on Asia—home to nearly 5 billion people and over 60% of the world’s population—because the need and potential for impact are greatest here. The region hosts the largest share of the world’s poor, with an estimated 1.7 billion people living on less than $2 a day. These stark inequalities present an urgent call to action: to close critical health gaps across one of the most diverse and underserved regions in the world.

Singapore is within a 6-hour flight of 60% of the world's population

Why Us?

Headquartered in Singapore, at the crossroads of East and West, we are strategically placed to serve Asia. More than half of the global population lives within a six-hour flight radius of our campus.

Our team of 50 spans more than 15 nationalities and speaks 18 languages, with deep regional ties - more than 45 of us hail from across Asia. We understand the region, live its realities, and work closely with local partners to drive solutions that work.

Being part of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC), our work is grounded in the joint strength of two leading institutions:

Duke-NUS Medical School— a collaboration between Duke University (top 10 U.S. medical school) and the National University of Singapore (ranked 8th globally)

SingHealth — Singapore’s largest public healthcare cluster, home to several globally recognised institutions. Its 4,000 clinicians and over 10,000 nurses deliver care across four acute care hospitals, three community hospitals, five national specialty centres, and ten primary care polyclinics.

In addition to our own projects and programmes, we support global health efforts across the SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC, which comprises more than 40,000 faculty and staff.

Our approach

We focus on high-impact, equity-driven initiatives—from strengthening outbreak preparedness and expanding some underserved communities’ access to essential care, to training the next generation of clinical and global health leaders.

Rooted in Asia and informed by global insight, our work tackles pressing health challenges, strengthens systems, and builds resilience against future disease threats through innovative programmes, partnerships, and locally relevant solutions.

Every project is guided by our dedicated Programme Evaluation Unit to ensure data-driven decisions, transparency, and measurable outcomes—so your contribution creates real, lasting impact.

Your support helps us go further, act faster, and deliver smarter, sustainable solutions where they’re needed most.

Opportunities to make an impact

In the broader SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC, our teams support health missions across 47 countries—from the Indian subcontinent to Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, China, and Mongolia.

We offer diverse giving opportunities aligned with your philanthropic goals. Partner with us to address Asia’s most pressing health challenges. Here are just a few areas where your support can drive lasting impact:

Education

Invest in the future of global health by supporting the education and training of the next generation of clinical and global health leaders, ensuring a lasting impact for years to come.

Health systems strengthening

From advancing maternal and child health to improving access to surgery and eye care, our programmes tackle critical health gaps. These include the SingHealth Global Surgery Programme and collaborations with the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) to expand vision care across the region.

Innovation

Help us bring affordable, scalable healthcare solutions to underserved communities. Your gift supports innovations designed to bridge gaps in access and quality of care across developing countries.

Mental health

There is no health without mental health. We believe mental wellbeing is essential—not only to individuals but to the foundations of a just society. Our Global Mental Health Programme works to raise awareness, build capacity, foster networks, and drive research and advocacy to strengthen mental health systems across Asia.

Planetary health

Support efforts that address the interdependence of human and environmental health. Your donation helps drive education, research, innovation, policy development, and clinical excellence to safeguard the health of people and the planet.

Surgery in Rural and Austere Environments Course (SIRAEC)

This annual course equips surgical care providers with the skills needed to perform life-saving procedures in the most resource-limited and challenging settings across the Asia-Pacific.

Get in touch

If you have any questions or would like to explore ways to support us, please contact Stephanie at stephanie.j.batot@duke-nus.edu.sg.

Giving