Mr Yeo Eng Koon, Chairman of Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution
Mr Teo Kek Yeng, Chairman of Organising Committee
Fellow Parliamentary Colleagues
Distinguished guests
- Good evening.
- It is a great honour to celebrate the 155thanniversary of Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution (STCMI) and 20th anniversary of Thong Chai Institute of Medical Research with all of you. I would like to offer my heartiest congratulations.
Background and Development of STCMI
- STCMI was established in 1867 under the leadership of a group of Chinese community leaders. It has always adhered to its founding principle to provide free medical consultation and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to the public regardless of race, religion or nationality.
- For many years, STCMI has been providing free TCM services to the general public. In order to serve more people, Thong Chai set up clinics in the community since 2012. In addition to its headquarters along Chin Swee Road, Thong Chai also set up branch clinics in Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang and Bedok, bringing much convenience to patients in the neighbourhoods.
- After the completion of the Bukit Batok branch clinic in 2020, Thong Chai realised its vision of becoming a large-scale charity TCM institution with clinics in five main regions of Singapore.
6.. With an ageing population, the demand for TCM will continue to grow.
- In addition to general TCM services, Thong Chai also has “special clinics” which provide complementary TCM services for the management of certain disease conditions, including fertility, oncology, kidney, metabolism, paediatrics and acupuncture for stroke and pain management.
- These special TCM services are available at selected branch clinics. For example, Thong Chai offers TCM for management of fertility and paediatric conditions to cater to the younger population at Sengkang, while for mature estates like Ang Mo Kio and Bedok with more elderly residents, Thong Chai would focus more on chronic and geriatric diseases. Separately, the Bukit Batok branch provides adjuvant TCM treatment for cancer patients.
- Thong Chai also advocates public education. Through holding public talks, and the use of Facebook, educational posters and brochures, it raised the public’s awareness of common illnesses, and also provided health tips to help people lead healthier lifestyles.
- Thong Chai’s efforts and passion for these charitable work over the years have touched the hearts and won the respect of many. It has become a household name and an integral part of the local community healthcare system. Let us all express our heartfelt gratitude to Thong Chai for their contributions and support in safeguarding the health of our people.
Handover of Chairman of TCM Practitioners Board
- As you may now know, Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon will relinquish her post as Chairman of TCM Practitioners Board (TCMPB) at the end of February next year. We are grateful for her significant contributions to the improvement and development of the TCM sector. Mrs Yu-Foo will be handing over the role to Dr Teo Ho Pin. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will arrange for Dr Teo to join the Board as Chairman-designate to better understand the operations of the Board.
- MOH will continue to work with TCMPB and the TCM sector, to actively advance the modernisation and professionalisation of TCM.
Development of TCM Sector
- TCM focuses on preventive and holistic treatments. The majority of TCM knowledge is passed down from one generation to the next. Western medicine, on the other hand, focuses on scientific research, and uses data and research results to recognise and approve medical treatments. Each has their own history, strengths and room for improvement.
- For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, most Singaporeans received vaccines developed by latest technology. This reflects people’s confidence in the Science and the healthcare system. But for many who were infected with COVID-19, they would also take the Chinese herbal medicine Lianhua Qingwen capsules, to ease their symptoms. This shows that in Asia, people are generally familiar with herbs, and hence they have confidence in the complementary role of TCM in their recovery.
- I feel that as an international hub and a country where the East meets the West, Singapore should try our best to incorporate the essence of both Chinese and Western medicine. To achieve this, there are several key points:
- First, to raise the clinical competency and professional standards of TCM physicians. This includes continuing to improve undergraduate education and encouraging lifelong learning. Last year, MOH, in collaboration with local TCM groups and organisations, set up two workgroups to look into TCM Clinical Training Programme (CTP) and TCM Career and Remuneration Guidelines (CRG).
- The CTP workgroup has preliminarily developed a systematic clinical training programme for newly registered TCM practitioners, which TCMPs may voluntarily apply for. The training programme is a one-year programme and it will be able to strengthen their clinical capabilities and help them become TCM practitioners confident of conducting clinical outpatient consultations independently.
- Thong Chai has also put in a lot of effort in this area. Thong Chai has given out scholarships of a significant amount to 45 NTU students.
- Second, to enhance the attractiveness of jobs and remuneration in the TCM sector. This is what the other workgroup is working on.
- The CRG workgroup aims to provide a structured career progression and remuneration framework for the recognition of TCMPs in clinical practice. The workgroup recommended a four-level career progression and corresponding TCMP titles, to encourage them to strive for excellence and raise their professional standards.
- Through these developments, we hope to attract more aspiring individuals to join the TCM sector, and to encourage continued development of the TCM community. Both workgroups are currently preparing to submit detailed proposals to MOH, and we will announce details when ready.
- Third, to promote scientific research in TCM. In this aspect, Thong Chai had been awarded five projects under MOH’s TCM Research Grant. I hope that STCMI will continue to work with public healthcare institutions and participate in TCM research, so as to establish a strong scientific basis for the efficacy and safety of TCM.
- Fourth, once there is a system in place to raise professional standards, the TCM sector must also step up on regulating the sector. MOH will also look into how to include highly competent TCM practitioners in the national healthcare management system, for them to contribute to Healthier SG.
- I feel that these are things which need to be done in the next few years, and I hope that everyone will work together.
- Finally, I would like to thank every person and organisation who have donated generously to Thong Chai. Thong Chai sees more than 1,300 patients daily, with annual expenses of more than $10 million. Thong Chai needs donations from all of you to maintain their operating expenses. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown in the past two years, Thong Chai has stood firm on its founding principles, and continued providing services to all in need. So please continue to extend your help to Thong Chai.
- I wish tonight’s charity dinner every success and everyone good health. Thank you!
Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore