Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, Public Free Clinic Society (PFCS) 43rd Anniversary & Opening of PFCS Bedok clinic, 5 Nov 2017

大众医院院长  萧士发医师
Mr Seow Ser Fatt, President of PFCS 

全体理事会委员
Board of Committee Members of PFCS 

各位嘉宾
Distinguished Guests 

各位女士与先生们
Ladies and Gentlemen 

大家下午好
A very good afternoon to all of you 

            今日欣逢大众医院43周年院庆及大众医院勿洛诊所开幕双庆之日，我非常荣幸受邀出席庆典。过去的四十多年，大众医院始终秉承“取之于民、用之于民”的精神，从未间断施医赠药，不分种族为贫苦病黎尽力提供中医药服务。感谢大众医院在我国保健体系所做出的贡献，于传递中医学理念的同时，也将传统医疗和慈善精神结合为一。 

Today marks an occasion for double celebrations as Public Free Clinic Society (PFCS) celebrates its 43th anniversary, and officially opens its new PFCS Bedok branch. It is my pleasure to be here. Over the past forty years, PFCS has faithfully abided by its principle of “what is taken from the people is used in the interests of the people”, and have consistently provided care in the form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to the needy regardless of race. I want to thank PFCS for playing an important complementary healthcare role in our country. PFCS has not only helped to spread principles of TCM, but also combined traditional medicine with the spirit of charity.

2            新加坡正面对人口老龄化的挑战，老年病与慢性疾病如风湿痹症、中风后遗症、糖尿病等患者人数也逐年增加，成为社会关注的主要课题。到了2030年， 每4名年龄在60岁以上的新加坡人就有一名会患至少一种慢性疾病。为了更好的应对国人未来的医疗需求，卫生部也积极的完善医疗措施，加强提供更全面的基层医疗，并且鼓励国人预防疾病，过健康活跃的生活。

Singapore is currently facing the issue of an aging population, and the number of people who suffer from geriatric illnesses and chronic diseases such as rheumatism, stroke and diabetes is expected to increase. This has been a key concern for our society. By 2030, 1 in 4 Singaporeans above the age of 60 will suffer from at least one chronic disease. Hence, to better address the medical needs of the population, it is increasingly important to ensure a robust healthcare system is in place that addresses the medical needs of the elderly, as well as encourages them to take preventive measures so as to enable them to lead a long, healthy and active life.

3            中医药在新加坡已有100多年的历史，在养生及保健方面的独特理论，在本地的医疗与保健体系中扮演着重要的辅助角色。许多中医慈善团体，在过去的几十年都发挥和体现了可取的社区精神，为人民提供了高素质且廉宜的医疗服务，并提升公众对养生保健的知识。大众医院在应对国人所需，更在2009年推出了别具一格的登门医疗服务，到全岛不同地区的养老院与乐龄活动中心为行动不便的长者提供免费中医诊疗服务，同时也走进有需要病患的家里为不良于行的人带来关怀备致的诊治。大众医院的5间门诊诊所，每月也有超过一万六千名病患前往就诊。我深信大众医院勿洛诊所能继续为居民提供优质的医疗服务。勿洛诊所将为有行动障碍的病患提供免费载送服务，让更多居民受益。

TCM has a history of over 100 years in Singapore. With its unique approach to healthy living and physical well-being, TCM plays a complementary role to mainstream medicine in meeting the healthcare needs of our population. Many charitable TCM organisations have, over the past decades, inspired and displayed an admirable community spirit, providing high-quality and affordable medical services for the public and raising the level of awareness among the people on maintaining good health. PFCS introduced the Home TCM Treatment Services in 2009, which brought TCM treatment services to various Nursing Homes and Seniors Activity Centres in different parts of Singapore, so that the elderly, and non-ambulate patients can receive TCM treatment at the convenience of their homes. In addition, the five clinics under PFCS see over 16,000 patients every month. I am confident that the new PFCS Bedok branch will continue to provide quality medical services to residents. The free transportation services to patients who are physically challenged offered by the new PFCS Bedok Branch will also allow more residents to benefit from this initiative.

4            大众医院重视提升中医并且正逐步推展中医科研,在两年前已开始举办与科研相关的课程，如医学统计学、科研方法学等，让医师对临床科研有一定的概念。大众医院成立科研小组，以推动中医师参与临床科研，指导科研的实际操作。大众医院也在从去年筹备建立新的诊病系统，从临床收集科研资料。我想借此机会鼓励更多中医师和中医机构对本地中医药的科研作出贡献，并且进一步提高专业水平。为了提升中医师的专业素质，新加坡中医管理委员会在2013年实行了志愿性中医继续教育计划，大众医院在过去2年积极响应号召，共开办了18项中医延续教育课程，并获得中医师们的大力支持。 

Recognising the importance of raising the standards of TCM, PFCS has progressively taken steps to promote TCM research. Since two years ago, PFCS has been conducting research-related courses, such as statistics and research methodology, to introduce the concept of clinical research to TCM practitioners. A Research Sub-Committee was established to promote interest in research among TCMPs and to advise on the operationalisation of research. Since last year, PFCS is developing a new Patient Management System (PMS), to facilitate the collection of patient data for clinical research. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage more TCM practitioners and organisations to contribute to local TCM research and raise professional standards. To raise the professional standards of TCM Practitioners, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) established a voluntary Continuing TCM Education (CTE) initiative in 2013. Over the last 2 years, PFCS has shown strong support for the initiative by holding 18 CTE classes, which were well-received by TCM Practitioners.

5            我在此敬祝贵院百尺竿头，更进一步，期望贵院能将慈善事业推向新的里程碑。谢谢大家。 

I hope that PFCS will continue to achieve new milestones in its charitable causes. Thank you.