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Farewell, Black Lion of Moulmein: Old compound of Communicable Disease Centre closes

Shutters come down on facility that sheltered infectious disease patients for 105 years

An aerial view of the sprawling compound of the Communicable Disease Centre. The CDC ceased operations last Thursday and will be demolished. It has been replaced by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (left of the black building), a new 330-bed fa
An aerial view of the sprawling compound of the Communicable Disease Centre. The CDC ceased operations last Thursday and will be demolished. It has been replaced by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (left of the black building), a new 330-bed facility. The land that the CDC occupied has been zoned for residential use, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Pharmacists at the Communicable Disease Centre, which had its own pharmacy. They have been transferred to the new National Centre for Infectious Diseases, which is near the old compound of the CDC.
Pharmacists at the Communicable Disease Centre, which had its own pharmacy. They have been transferred to the new National Centre for Infectious Diseases, which is near the old compound of the CDC. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
The Communicable Disease Centre's ward 76 where patients with human immunodeficiency virus or HIV were treated. The CDC saw its first HIV patient in 1986 and Singapore's first baby with HIV was born there.
The Communicable Disease Centre's ward 76 where patients with human immunodeficiency virus or HIV were treated. The CDC saw its first HIV patient in 1986 and Singapore's first baby with HIV was born there. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Security guards Fazel Yunos (seated) and Yacob Ahmad (standing) man the main guard post of the Communicable Disease Centre. The guards have been transferred to the new facility.
Security guards Fazel Yunos (seated) and Yacob Ahmad (standing) man the main guard post of the Communicable Disease Centre. The guards have been transferred to the new facility. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Patient volunteer Tee Choon Ann makes handicraft items at the Communicable Disease Centre's Patient Care Centre. This centre has been renamed NCID Cares in the new facility.
Patient volunteer Tee Choon Ann makes handicraft items at the Communicable Disease Centre's Patient Care Centre. This centre has been renamed NCID Cares in the new facility. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Nurses pack up the nursing station near the cabin rooms used by Sars patients. During the Sars outbreak in 2003, there was a shortage of isolation rooms in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and 80 cabin rooms were built using containers to isolate Sars patients.
Nurses pack up the nursing station near the cabin rooms used by Sars patients. During the Sars outbreak in 2003, there was a shortage of isolation rooms in Tan Tock Seng Hospital and 80 cabin rooms were built using containers to isolate Sars patients. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
The famous "or sai" (black lion in Hokkien) emblem at the main entrance. Tan Tock Seng Hospital's website says that some have speculated that the black lion keeps a watchful eye and acts as a guardian and protector of the compound.
The famous "or sai" (black lion in Hokkien) emblem at the main entrance. Tan Tock Seng Hospital's website says that some have speculated that the black lion keeps a watchful eye and acts as a guardian and protector of the compound. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
The reflection of the greenery seen against the window of a Sars isolation room. Rambutan, mango, duku langsat and other old trees can be found in the compound.
The reflection of the greenery seen against the window of a Sars isolation room. Rambutan, mango, duku langsat and other old trees can be found in the compound. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
A nurse prepares medication for patients in the negative pressure wards, where airflow is controlled in a way that prevents contamination of hospital wards.
A nurse prepares medication for patients in the negative pressure wards, where airflow is controlled in a way that prevents contamination of hospital wards. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Neo Xiaobin Executive Photojournalist
Updated
Dec 22, 2018, 03:21 PM
Published
Dec 17, 2018, 05:00 AM
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From smallpox, plague, diphtheria, typhoid, cholera and malaria in the early 1900s, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Nipah virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and the threats of a flu pandemic in recent years, the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) has been through them all.

After being at the forefront of fighting major infectious diseases in Singapore for more than a century, the gates of the old compound located in Moulmein Road finally closed as operations ceased last Thursday.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 17, 2018, with the headline Farewell, Black Lion of Moulmein: Old compound of Communicable Disease Centre closes. Subscribe

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