255 doctors, nurses and health-care professionals won N-Day awards

16 Aug 2010, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: Julia Sng (Mrs)

Not a single doc in restructured hospitals recognised

EACH year, I usually give the list of winners for the National Day Awards published in The Straits Times a cursory glance.

But one glaring omission in this year's awards caught my attention.

Not a single doctor in restructured hospitals - specialist or ward doctor - merited a Commendation Medal.

Given that there are a significant number of department heads who can hold their own or even surpass the region's and some of the world's best surgeons, it is hard to fathom.

I taught for 36 years and covered duties for two heads of departments and thought I knew how hard their work was.

But until my husband was warded for a knee replacement procedure at the National University Hospital some four months ago, I did not realise the amount of time and work I had put in as an educator could not compare with what his surgeon was doing.

What I witnessed and experienced as a wife and caregiver at the hospital left a deep impression on me.

My husband's surgeon, Dr Andrew Dutton, who lives in the east, starts work at 6.30am, making his rounds, performing operations, seeing patients in his clinic, and attending meetings at night, and over weekends; not to mention attending conferences overseas and publishing his work.

My husband benefited from the skill and dedication of this superb surgeon and I am certain there are many more like Dr Dutton in our hospitals.

So, I am amazed and disappointed that such individuals have escaped recognition. They deserve it, even though they do not ask for it.

Reply

Name of the Person: Elizabeth Koh (Ms)

Group Director, People Matters

Ministry of Health 

255 doctors, nurses and health-care professionals won N-Day awards

MRS Julia Sng, in her letter last Friday ('Not a single doctor in restructured hospitals recognised'), highlighted the need to recognise doctors in our restructured hospitals for their dedication.

The Ministry of Health thanks Mrs Sng for championing our health-care professionals and strongly agrees that we should recognise those who have made sterling contributions to the health-care sector in Singapore.

Indeed, 255 of our doctors, nurses and health-care professionals are recognised in this year's National Day Awards. We salute every awardee for his/her dedication, professionalism and good work in the public service.

Notable awardees from the health-care clusters include Professor Ho Lai Yun, director (Child Development Programme), who was conferred the Public Service Star Award; Professor Fock Kwong Ming, senior consultant, Changi General Hospital, the Public Administration Medal (Silver); Dr Ng Li-Ling, senior consultant, Changi General Hospital, the Public Administration Medal (Bronze); and Ms Kwek Puay Ee, director (Nursing), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Public Administration Medal (Bronze).

We also salute Mrs Woo Chu Sin, member of the Medifund Committee and ex-chairman of the board of directors for Bethany Methodist Nursing Home, who was awarded the Public Service Medal for her dedication and commitment in volunteering and active citizenry work with the poor and elderly.

MOH extends its heartiest congratulations to each and every one of our 255 awardees.