The Graduation 2006 Programme of Jamiyah Business School and The Launch of The Maids and Nurse Aides Education and Training Programme

17 Mar 2006

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts And Health

Venue: Jamiyah Singapore

Mr Abu Bakar Maidin

President, Jamiyah Singapore

Mr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar

Chairman, Jamiyah Education Department

Executive Council Members

Jamiyah Singapore

Distinguished Guests and Representatives from the various diplomatic missions in Singapore

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

It is a pleasure for me to be here this evening at the Graduation 2006 Programme of the Jamiyah Business School and the Launch of the Maids and Nurse Aides Education and Training Programme. I am pleased to note that Jamiyah provides an extensive range of social services spanning from welfare to health and education services. This has benefited many Singaporeans, both young and old. 

In terms of education and training, I am happy to see that Jamiyah Business School has made key contributions in helping both local and foreign students achieve their aspiration of acquiring valuable training and internationally-recognised qualifications. Private education organisations have an important role in offering students a greater variety of courses with a wider range of options. To this end, Jamiyah Business School has indeed met the needs of many students.

Graduation 2006

Education is a journey, not a destination. Today, those of you who are receiving your certificate and diploma have completed an important milestone in this journey. Education is not only a cornerstone for the progress of our nation, it also equips you, as individuals, with the knowledge and skills needed to meet new challenges and achieve greater heights in your careers. As you graduate today, I would like to encourage you to take this only as a pit-stop on the life-long journey of learning.

Maids and Nurse Aides Education and Training Programme

This evening also marks the Launch of the Maids and Nurse Aides Education and Training Programme. I am heartened to learn that this programme aims to help foreign workers who are engaged in the healthcare sector to upgrade themselves in terms of spoken English and writing skills, as well as other areas of special skills development. This will not only enable them to provide services of a higher quality, but would also equip them with new skills to perform higher-end jobs when they return to their own countries.

Committee on Ageing Issues

I would also like to touch on ageing issues as this is an area in which Jamiyah has contributed extensively. We have an ageing population. In 2005, one in 12 residents was 65 years or older. By 2030, one in five residents will be 65 years or older. Last month, the Committee on Ageing Issues (CAI) which I co-chair released its recommendations. This evening, I would like to highlight two recommendations made by the CAI.

"Ageing-In-Place"

First, the CAI recommended that the range of community-based nursing and personal care services should be enhanced to allow the elderly to "age-in-place" in the community. The elderly should preferably be living at home with their family as the family is in the best position to provide the elderly with the necessary social and emotional support. However, some elderly persons might need a higher level of care which makes it difficult for their family to look after them. By having a greater range of nursing and personal care services available to families, we can facilitate the elderly "ageing-in-place" in their own homes instead of having the elderly sent to sheltered homes or nursing homes.  

Jamiyah's Maids and Nurse Aides Education and Training programme is a step in the right direction in promoting "ageing-in-place". It complements other training programmes presently available to equip caregivers with the skills to provide nursing care and assistance in activities of daily living for the elderly.

Private Sector Participation

Second, the CAI recommended that there should be greater private sector participation and innovation in the intermediate and long term care sector. There is a large potential for the private sector to expand on the diversity of services provided. I encourage the private sector to explore new initiatives and develop new services to meet the needs of older Singaporeans. A new private sector entrant to the nursing home sector is Pacific Nursing Home. The Ministry of Health will be accrediting Pacific Nursing Home as a nursing home under the portable subsidy scheme with effect from 1 April 2006. This means that needy Singaporeans with nursing care needs who are referred by the Integrated Care Services would be able to receive subsidised care at Pacific Nursing Home. MOH will continue to review its policies to promote further private sector participation.

At this juncture, it is also timely to highlight the role of the people sector, Despite government subsidies and support from MediFund, as a community we should be involved in helping  patients. VWOs lead the way in getting the community involved in looking after the sick and elderly. Nursing homes run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) are well-positioned to help needy Singaporeans. Many VWO nursing homes, including Jamiyah Nursing Home, are providing additional financial assistance to patients and families. VWO nursing homes should continue to develop in this direction as the growth of the private sector will enable the people sector to channel more of their resources to help Singaporeans who are financially disadvantaged.

Conclusion

We face many challenges ahead as our population ages. However, by working in partnership with Jamiyah and other organisations in the people and private sector, we would be able to achieve "Successful Ageing for Singapore".

In conclusion, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Management and staff of Jamiyah Business School for the role that the school is playing in providing quality education and training. I wish your mission every success.

I also congratulate all the graduates who are receiving their certificates today. I wish you all success and hope that you will find the education and training that you have acquired in the various disciplines useful for your progress and advancement.

Thank you and best wishes to all of you.