Author: Web Desk

Mr Loh Kooi Cheng, Public Free Clinic Society President

 

Public Free Clinic Society Board of Directors

 

Distinguished guests

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

1.    Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you today at Public Free Clinic Society’s (PFCS’s) 47^thanniversary celebrations. Over the past 47 years, PFCS has been providing affordable TCM treatment to the lower income. I would like to express my gratitude and congratulations to PFCS’s President Mr Loh Kooi Cheng and all directors, TCM physicians and staff. I hope that PFCS will continue its charitable spirit and remain steadfast in its philosophy of offering affordable and good quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services to all Singaporeans.

   2.     The world is facing the public health crisis of the century since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020. In Singapore, it has been over 20 months into the fight against COVID-19 and I would like to thank you for your cooperation and support, adhering to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) advisories and encouraging your elderly patients to come forward to get vaccinated. As of mid-November 2021, we have administered more than 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and our vaccination rate at 85% is one of the highest in the world. As healthcare professionals, I hope that eligible TCM practitioners (TCMPs) will also register for your booster vaccination and encourage your elderly patients to do the same so as to further reduce their risk of severe outcomes such as developing severe illness and death. Let us all continue to work together and do our part, so that we can transit to living with COVID-19 sooner.

2.    TCM has its unique theory on health and disease prevention. At a time when Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly, chronic diseases are becoming more common and new infectious diseases are emerging, TCM plays an important complementary role in Singapore’s healthcare system. I understand that nearly 80 per cent of PFCS’s patients are aged above 50 years. To better provide TCM treatment for these patients, PFCS has set up a Geriatrics TCM Treatment Centre to cater to their healthcare needs to better manage symptoms of chronic diseases and other conditions such as aches and pain, poor appetite and insomnia. Since the Centre opened in 2019, over 600 elderly patients have benefitted from its service. However due to COVID-19 restrictions, these services have been suspended and we hope it can resume soon.
3.    We live in a fast-paced, data-driven era where there is abundance of information, and greater inter-disciplinary interactions. To keep up with times, TCMPs must continually learn and apply new knowledge and skills, to better treat patients and further their careers. The development of TCM in Singapore is closely linked to training and talent development of TCMPs. Hence, we are working with major TCM organisations to set up two workgroups. The first is to review and look into the feasibility of enhancing our local clinical training programme for newly registered TCMPs, for example by setting up a standardised training curriculum and assessment framework, including possible clinical rotation with participating TCM institutions. The other workgroup will look into how we can enhance the employability and career development of TCMPs, so as to retain young talents in the field of TCM, through different pathways to support those involved in roles like management, research or teaching. I have met with the members of the two workgroups at end November and I look forward to their recommendations on supporting the long-term sustainability and development of TCM in Singapore.
4.    Looking ahead, the future development of TCM requires the continuous collective effort of the government and stakeholders in the TCM sector. I hope our efforts will contribute to the continued growth and progress of TCM in Singapore to better serve the people. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Singaporeans from all walks of life for their continued support to PFCS, which has enabled PFCS to continue serving the people. Once again, I congratulate PFCS on their contributions over the past 47 years, and hope that they will continue to work hard to raise the professional standards of their TCMPs and promote the development of TCM. Thank you.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore

A court in Myanmar is due to deliver the first rulings on Monday in the trial of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the popular former leader ousted by the military in a coup 10 months ago.

 

Suu Kyi faces a dozen cases that include multiple corruption charges plus violations of a state secrets act, a telecoms law and COVID-19 regulations, which carry combined maximum sentences of more than a century in prison.

 

The verdicts are deferred from last week, with Suu Kyi and co-defendant Win Myint, the ousted president, facing jail terms of two years for incitement and three years for breaches of coronavirus protocols, if found guilty. They deny the charges.

 

Supporters of Suu Kyi, 76, say the cases are baseless and designed to end her political career and tie her up in legal proceedings while the military consolidates power.

 

The junta says Suu Kyi is being given due process by an independent court led by a judge appointed by her own administration.

 

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the Feb. 1 coup, paralyzed by protests and instability that escalated after the junta’s deadly crackdown on its opponents, which it calls “terrorists.”

 

The international community has condemned the violence and Western states have demanded Suu Kyi’s release.

 

The trial in the capital Naypyitaw has been closed to the media and the junta’s public information outlets have not mentioned the proceedings. Suu i’s lawyers have been barred from communicating with the media and public.

 

The following is a summary of cases against her, based on information available to Reuters.

 

– Intent to incite, after her party sent a letter in February to international organizations asking them not to recognize the military government (Penal Code, Article 505). 1 case, maximum two years in prison.

 

– Breaches of coronavirus regulations during her party’s election campaigning in September 2020 (Natural Disaster Management Law, Article 25). Two cases, maximum three years in prison for each.

 

– Possession in February of unlicensed walkie-talkies and a set of signal jammers (Export and Import Law, Article 8). One case, maximum three years in prison. (Telecommunications Law, Article 67). One case, maximum one year in prison.

 

– Obtaining, collecting, recording, or publishing or communicating secret information that could be useful to an enemy (Official Secrets Act). One case, maximum 14 years in prison.

 

– Prosecution for “electoral fraud and lawless actions” (status unclear).- Violations of the anti-corruption law (Sections 55, 63). Six cases, maximum 15 years in prison for each.

 

Allegations include:

 

* Misusing funds from the Daw Khin Kyi Foundation Suu Kyi chaired, to build a home.

 

* Leasing government-owned land at a discounted rate.

 

* Accepting bribes totaling $600,000 and 11.4 kg worth of gold bars.

 

* Misuse of state funds for renting, buying a helicopter.

 

 

 

Source: Voice of America

Myanmar’s junta chief sat down with a prominent senior figure of Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted party on Sunday, the first significant meeting since the February coup.

The military deposed Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party from power, pushing many of her closest political allies into hiding while others have been arrested.

The junta has alleged electoral fraud in last year’s poll as a justification for the putsch, but much of the country is in open revolt calling for a return to democracy.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on Sunday met with longtime politician and NLD stalwart Tin Oo, who has in recent years receded from the political landscape due to old age and poor health.

“Min Aung Hlaing told U Tin Oo that health treatment could be provided if necessary, and his army hospital will help,” the junta’s information team announced.

Tin Oo, a 94-year-old former army general and co-founder of NLD, was pictured wearing his party pin — a trademark red flag with a golden peacock — during the meeting with Min Aung Hlaing, who was all smiles in civilian attire.

The junta chief also met with Khin Nyunt, former spy chief-turned-prime minister before he was arrested under the former junta.

“Min Aung Hlaing also went to meet U Khin Nyunt… and asked about his health condition.”

The 82-year-old spent years in prison before he was released in 2012.

While some in the West saw him as a potential reformer, Khin Nyunt’s reign as spy chief saw activists harassed, arrested and tortured en masse.

Khin Nyunt’s intelligence apparatus — which once infiltrated every neighborhood across Myanmar — was purged after his ouster, while Tin Oo no longer plays an active role in NLD party affairs, said Richard Horsey, International Crisis Group’s Myanmar senior advisor.

“It seems unlikely this meeting was sanctioned by the NLD,” Horsey told AFP.

“Given that Min Aung Hlaing seems determined to sideline Aung San Suu Kyi and won’t meet with her, perhaps he’s looking for other meetings that will be politically cost-free.”

After the February coup, Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest. She currently faces a raft of charges that could see her jailed for decades.

Sunday’s meeting came on the eve of a junta court verdict on Suu Kyi’s charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions.

The verdict was due to be announced last week, but the court adjourned it until December 6, without providing a reason.

 

 

Source: Voice of America

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan delivered remarks at the fifth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) virtually today. Hosted in Abu Dhabi, the theme of this year’s conference is “Indian Ocean: Ecology, Economy and Epidemic”.

 

In his remarks, Minister Balakrishnan underscored Singapore’s commitment to the global fight against climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasised the importance of having a multilateral rules-based order and an open international trading system for inclusive and sustainable growth. Minister Balakrishnan also highlighted the need to leverage digital technologies to bridge the digital divide and promote sustainable development.

 

The full transcript of Minister Balakrishnan’s remarks is at Annex.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore

JAKARTA – A 6.2-magnitude quake struck off North Sulawesi province, in central parts of Indonesia this morning, with no potential for a tsunami, Head of Quake and Tsunami Mitigation Division of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Daryono said via the phone.

 

The quake jolted at 06:47 Jakarta time this morning, with the epicentre at 147 km south-east of Melonguane town, and the depth of 157 km under the seabed, the official said.

 

“This quake is not potential to trigger a tsunami,” he said.

 

The intensity of the quake was felt at III MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity), in Morotai islands, of nearby North Maluku province, according to him.

 

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK