Tay Chong Hai (1932– ) Doctor. In 1969, Tay Chong Hai discovered a hereditary disease, trichothiodystrophy, now better known as Tay Syndrome. He was the first doctor in Southeast Asia to have a disease named after him.

Tay Syndrome is characterized by brittle hair, photosensitivity, abnormal fingernails and toenails, a prematurely aged- looking face, mental retardation and short stature. Often, patients have recurrent infections; bone and teeth abnormalities may also occur. Tay Syndrome is now well- documented in major dermatology and genetics textbooks.

Tay also identified the first outbreak of childhood hand, foot and mouth disease in Singapore (1972). He established the National Arthritis Foundation in 1984, and was chairman for 14 years.

Photo credit: Tay Chong Hai