Doctors I Recommend 🙌

Namira Mohamad
Sep 8, 2021
8 min read

Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Hey Amazing Fam,

I took time to sit with your words, your messages, and the quiet in-between conversations that often say the most. After listening deeply, cross-checking experiences within our E for Endometriosis community, and doing the necessary ground work, I’ve refined our recommended doctors list.

This list is not driven by endorsements, affiliations, or payments. It exists because of trust that has been built over time. It is shaped by lived realities, by patterns we have observed collectively, and by a shared desire to help one another navigate a system that can often feel confusing, isolating, and overwhelming.

I want to be clear and honest. This is not an official medical guideline. It is a community-informed reference. A compass, not a prescription. Something to help you ask better questions, feel less alone, and move forward with a little more clarity and confidence.

The doctors included here are those who have consistently shown both clinical rigour and human compassion. They are open about what they can and cannot do, transparent about their approaches, and respectful of the complexity of endometriosis. They align with the principles we share in our “Tips to Help You Choose a Doctor” guide, especially the importance of ethical honesty and informed decision-making. No two bodies are the same. No two journeys unfold in the same way.

For those navigating fertility treatment alongside endometriosis, please refer to the last recommendation list in this post.

I also want to address this openly, because silence helps no one. At this point in time, within general hospital settings, whether through subsidised or private routes, we do not dare to confidently recommend specific doctors for complex endometriosis care. This is not said lightly. It is said with responsibility and care. This is why we strongly encourage you to refer to our video guide, where we share alternative ways to think about care navigation, how to advocate for yourself, and how to protect your emotional and physical well-being along the way.

If you are trying to understand the referral process between subsidised and private care, you can read more here

https://www.endosupport.sg/post/referral-process-subsidy-vs-private

I also want to share another resource that many patients around the world have found to be reliable and grounding, especially when navigating complex care beyond local systems. One established platform is I Care Better. It is a global, patient-centred database that curates endometriosis specialists based on surgical expertise, transparency, multidisciplinary care, and lived patient outcomes. The doctors listed there are not generalists. They are practitioners who focus deeply on endometriosis, often working within specialised centres, and who are assessed against clear standards of care. The list is extensive and spans many countries, which makes it especially helpful if you are exploring care overseas rather than within Singapore. I encourage you to explore this resource with discernment and curiosity, particularly if you feel stuck, unheard, or are seeking options beyond what is currently accessible locally.

On a personal note, one of the doctors I have openly and confidently recommended over the years is my surgeon, Dr. Peter Barton-Smith. He was the doctor who cared for me when it mattered most. He believed me when my pain was dismissed. He encouraged me to speak up when I had learned to stay silent. Most importantly, he gave me a proper diagnosis in 2014, at a time when clarity felt almost impossible to reach.

When Dr. Barton-Smith was practising in Singapore from 2013 until 2016, he laid much of the groundwork for what minimally invasive and robotic gynaecological surgery at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) would become. He was appointed to lead the Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery programme within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and through his dedication and vision, played a central role in establishing and developing robotic surgical services at SGH.

Much of what later came to be associated with robotic gynaecological surgery at SGH, including the clinical application of the da Vinci robotic system for complex benign gynaecological and endometriosis cases, was built upon the foundations he helped put in place. His work was not simply about adopting new technology, but about doing so thoughtfully, ethically, and in service of patients with severe and complex disease who had long been underserved.

His contributions at the time raised surgical standards, expanded clinical capability, and quietly reshaped what was possible for patients navigating advanced endometriosis within a public hospital setting.

Dr. Barton-Smith currently practises in London, and he is listed on the I Care Better platform. My experience under his care was pivotal, not just medically, but emotionally. It shaped the way I understand what ethical, patient-centred endometriosis care can and should look like.

For those who wish to read more about my personal journey under his care, I have shared it here:

https://www.endosupport.sg/post/part-2-you-get-what-you-work-for-my-journey-to-getting-a-proper-diagnosis

This work has never been about lists or labels. It has always been about people. About holding space for one another, telling the truth even when it is uncomfortable, and choosing to move forward with dignity, discernment, and compassion.

As always, this is not about pushing a single path or idealising one solution. It is about widening perspectives, equipping ourselves with better information, and reminding one another that we deserve to be heard, believed, and treated with dignity.

Take what serves you. Leave what does not. And know that wherever you are in your journey, you do not have to navigate it alone. Thank you for trusting this community. Thank you for lending your voice, your experiences, and your courage. We continue to learn together, and we continue to walk this path side by side.

UPDATES

15/12/2025

I've been to 2 of 3 hospitals that have an OG dept, I understand KKH no longer has an Endometriosis clinic (although they still have a webpage) and some of the Endometriosis specialist doctors have left the public healthcare. How can we work with generalist OG doctors to get the specialised care we need?

This is a question we received during our previous talk, and it is one that continues to surface within the community. Because it is a recurring concern, we are addressing it again through this video summary.

Many patients have shared worries about access to appropriate endometriosis care, especially within the subsidised healthcare system. In this summary, we revisit an explanation we have shared consistently over time, both through our written resources on the E for Endometriosis website and during earlier quarterly Zoom sessions, including one where Dr. Ma Li also spoke openly about the current landscape.

In this video, we explain why navigating endometriosis care can be challenging, particularly given the complexity of the condition and the limitations faced by generalist O&G doctors within the system. We also outline two practical pathways that patients have found helpful when financial access is a key concern, while acknowledging that these are workarounds within a system that still has gaps.

Most importantly, this summary is shared to reassure the community that these challenges are not personal shortcomings. They are systemic realities. Until there is more dedicated and accessible endometriosis care within the public healthcare system, our focus remains on honest education, practical navigation, and empowering patients to make informed decisions within the circumstances they face.

This video is shared with care, clarity, and continuity, for those who may be hearing this for the first time, and for those who need to hear it again.

26/09/2024

A New Chapter for Dr. Michelle Lim: Updates on Subsidized Care for Endometriosis

Dear Community,

It’s never easy to be the bearer of difficult news, but I want to be open and transparent with you about some recent developments. Last night, I received confirmation that Dr. Michelle Lim will transition to private practice. This shift leaves a significant gap in subsidised care for specialised Endometriosis treatment, which may be unsettling for many of you.

I understand how crucial it is to have access to specialised care, especially when navigating a chronic condition like Endometriosis. Please rest assured that Dr. Michelle is working on plans to continue seeing her subsidised patients at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) as a Visiting Consultant. However, the concrete details are still being finalised. I will share updates with all of you as soon as they are confirmed.

We’ve been incredibly fortunate over the years to have doctors like Dr. Ma Li and Dr. Michelle Lim, who went above and beyond by allowing patients to access subsidised care while providing personalised and expert attention. Typically, subsidised patients face limitations in choosing their healthcare providers, often leading to less personalised care and, in many cases, misdiagnoses or inadequate treatment—something no one should endure. By continuing to see subsidised patients despite their standing in the private sector, these doctors have shown true compassion and dedication to ensuring that even those with financial constraints receive the specialised care they need.

With both doctors now transitioning to private practice, I must be honest: at this moment, there are no other specialists within the subsidised tier across hospitals island-wide who I can confidently recommend for Endometriosis care.

I understand this is concerning, especially for those who rely on subsidised care. For those who can explore the private sector, I encourage you to do so. However, I fully recognise that this may not be financially feasible for everyone. In such cases, I hope the red flags and myths surrounding Endometriosis that E for Endometriosis has highlighted over the past decade have empowered you to advocate for your health and make informed decisions within the subsidised system.

That said, we are pleased to share that Dr. Michelle Lim will be moving to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital to open her new clinic, Nobel Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, where she will soon begin accepting patients.

You can reach her for appointments at:

📧 Email: dr.michellelim.obgyn@gmail.com

📱 WhatsApp: +65 9616 0045

Dr. Michelle’s new website will also launch on November 1st:

🌐www.drmichellelim-obgyn.com

This site will provide more information about her practice and feature valuable educational resources.

While this transition may bring uncertainty, it also marks an exciting new chapter for Dr. Michelle. Please join us in congratulating her on this next step in her career. Even during this transition, her unwavering dedication to her patients is a testament to her commitment to ensuring the best care for all.

I understand this transition may cause uncertainty, and I deeply empathise with anyone anxious about the changes. Rest assured, I will update you on Dr. Michelle’s plans as a Visiting Consultant at KKH and continue advocating for better access to Endometriosis care for everyone.

While these changes may seem daunting, I truly believe that our community’s strength lies in our unity. Together, we’ve accomplished so much, and together, we will continue to break down barriers to proper care & understanding of Endometriosis.

Let’s move forward with the same resilience and determination that has brought us this far. By supporting one another and staying informed, we can continue to make strides toward a future where every person with Endometriosis receives the care and recognition they deserve.

16/05/2024

PERSONALISED CARE AT SUBSIDISED RATE FOUND! (THIS IS NO LONGER APPLICABLE)

*Please refrain from sharing or showing this information to anyone within the policy system, as they are not aware of this arrangement.

Typically, subsidised patients face restrictions in choosing their preferred healthcare provider, which often means settling for less personalised care. This gap sometimes leads to misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment, which no one should endure. We've been fortunate in the past with Dr. Ma Li at NUH, who went above and beyond by allowing us to direct patients to her under the subsidy system. She facilitated all necessary arrangements, ensuring more of you received the care you needed without the financial strain. As Dr. Ma Li transitions to the private sector, we find ourselves with a significant gap in the subsidised tier.

Recognising the difficulty many faces in affording private healthcare, we've tirelessly sought solutions within the subsidy system. The quest led us to a beacon of hope: Dr. Michelle Lim at the KK MIS Center. Dr. Michelle, an expert in Endometriosis, has graciously agreed to accept patients under the subsidised tier. Her involvement is a game-changer, enhancing the quality of care available to our community, both subsidised and private. We've heard countless stories of her compassionate, patient-centric approach, and we are confident that her acceptance will bring about a positive change in our healthcare system.

Please refer to the infographic attached for a step-by-step guide on accessing subsidised care. We are immensely grateful to Dr. Michelle for opening this pathway and ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from receiving the best possible care for such a complex and challenging condition.