The MOH Tsunami Relief Appreciation Dinner

30 Mar 2005

By Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Health

Venue: The Legends Fort Canning Park Banquet Room

"Healing Wounds and Hearts"

1. December 26th 2004 reminded us how lucky we were.  There was a huge earthquake in our neighbourhood and Singapore was largely safe.

2. It was not so for 33 Singaporeans and their families.  But we could have lost many more as Phuket, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are our top holiday destinations.

Rising to the Humanitarian Call

3. The photo-exhibition and the video capture a thin slice of the catastrophe: the sufferings, the anguish and the losses.  But they cannot fully reflect the scale of the disaster, or the extent of the emotional drains.  

4. As the tragedy unfolded, Singaporeans did not remain passive observers, glued to their TVs.  Instead, almost every Singaporean did something.  Some gathered old clothes; some packed blankets; some organized collections of medical supplies and many dug into their pockets.  The Singapore Red Cross alone collected more than $83 million in public donations.

5. A few thousand Singaporeans did more than give donations.  They put aside their jobs and their families, flew to the disaster areas to search and rescue and to help survivors get back on their feet again. 

From Aceh to Sri Lanka

6. The response from our healthcare sector was overwhelming.  From both the public and private sectors, our medical relief workers went all over, from Aceh, through Phuket to Sri Lanka.  All healthcare professions were represented: doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, technicians.  Some closed their clinics; some took leave; some took on extra duties of colleagues to free them to volunteer.  Many postponed their personal plans. 

7. On the ground, our volunteers rendered healthcare, from basic to tertiary, from care to cure, from immunization to autopsy.  

8. In Phuket, there were too many dead bodies to be identified.  Dr Gilbert Lau who led our forensic team described their task as "looking for needles in a haystack"  It was difficult as the bodies were highly decomposed.  Still, our team managed to lift fingerprint samples from bodies others thought not possible.  They earned the respect of their international counterparts for their efficiency and professionalism. 

9. In Sri Lanka, Ren Ci and many other Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) reached out to the survivors in Trincomalee.  Our teams set up mobile medical units using tents and abandoned schools.  Dr Tan Chi Chui led a Parkway Group medical mission which left on New Year' Day.  They brought relief to 3,000 patients in Galle and Matara.

10. In Meulaboh, our healthcare workers, from Singhealth Cluster and private sector, laboured alongside the SAF, providing urgent medical aid to the victims.

11. In Banda Aceh, volunteers from City Harvest Church were among the first to arrive.  Mercy Relief flew in medicine and aid supplies almost immediately as well. The Alexandra Hospital medical team led by Mr Ng Kian Swan, did good work at the Zainoel Abidin Hospital.  With only basic facilities, they had to improvise and innovate.  Water bottles became useful as urine pans, as sputum mugs, as weights for traction purposes, or simply for collecting rainwater.  Without blood warmers, patients'relatives were even roped in to warm the blood bags under their armpits.

Touching Hearts

12. Many of these volunteers are here tonight.  Your efforts made a big difference and touched both the tsunami survivors as well as fellow Singaporeans.  You kept our Singapore flag flying high.  You earned the respect of those you have helped, with your humility and sensitivity to local customs. 

13. Through your efforts, we acquired the description of "Singaporeans do not say much, but do a lot"  What a wonderful tribute.  You personified our reputation for efficiency.  You brought to life the compassionate side of Singaporeans. 

14. We have received compliments from many: the commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces, the local provincial leaders, the Thai Health Minister, the Indonesian Health Minister.

15. You made me proud, as a health minister.

Poets and Philosophers

16. There are poets among you, who penned your daily thoughts through regular emails to us.  Reading your mails cheered me up considerably, during an otherwise difficult period.

17. One doctor volunteer had this to say:

"My Sri Lanka and Indonesia trips were sad and wonderful experiences for me."

"In Sri Lanka, I witnessed those children who drew pictures of horrible stories and went crazy running away in different directions when somebody falsely announced that another tsunami was coming."

"Children become fatherless or motherless, parents lost their children, or the whole family totally wiped out from the face of the earth."

"But as we treated those patients, we still see the smiles on their faces, a flicker of hope, as we extend our hands of compassion and show them that there is one up there who cares for them."

18. There are philosophers too.  At the end of his mission in Banda Aceh, Dr Yim Chik Foo of AH asked if it was worth while.  Let me quote his answer:

"Personally, yes.  It has indeed been the utmost privilege to have worked with such a motivated team for the most deserving people and the clinical challenge of practicing modern medicine without the benefit of modern amenities amongst an international community of equally dedicated professionals."

"For the Team, yes.  To watch each and every member grow in strength literally before your very eyes and for the Team to adapt effortlessly into its role is valediction of the success of our Healthcare system and a positive testimony to the ability of each individual member."

"For the Hospital, yes.  There is no better example of how it has been able to organize such a fine response with the limited resources that would make many a bigger outfit proud."

"For the country, a resounding yes.  In Banda Aceh, there is a living example of a Caring piece of Singapore organized in the most efficient ways to function in a manner that is the envy of other members of the international community and a place of solace and hope for the local community, Ward Bunga Harapan (Flower of Hope Ward)." (Dr Yim was referring to the hospital ward set up by his team at Zainoel Abidin Hospital.)

19. "Was it worthwhile?"  I am sure this question must have crossed your minds too.

20. To baby Heru, the 9-month old Meulaboh baby who was severely burnt but was saved by Singapore Red Cross and KK Hospital, the question was redundant.  As one volunteer puts it: "if we can't even make the effort of responding to other humans in need, what is it that would differentiate us as humans and being humane?"

21. Along the way, deep friendship across international borders was forged.  As Dr Yim noted when they finally handed over Ward Bunga Harapan to the local healthcare team, "both happiness and sadness were evident.  Hands were repeatedly shaken and there was reluctance to let go and disbelief that the moment to part was finally upon us.  Smiles abound, and yet there were tears, too.  Hugs were exchanged between the more expressive Team members, patients and relatives.  Much were unspoken and yet much more were exchanged... When we finally walked out of Bunga Harapan, some of the relatives walked with us.  And there were yet others waiting outside to give one last handshake or hug - even the home sick amongst the Team felt sad at leaving Bunga Harapan."

A Salute to You

22. On behalf of my ministry, l thank you all for a job well done.

23. This catastrophe has been a reminder to us of the force of nature.  Even this week, another earthquake in northern Sumatra has continued to keep everyone on their toes. But it has also highlighted the resilience of man.  We are moved by the large-scale international collaboration of healthcare personnel.  The tears of joy and laughter you brought to the victims will forever remain in your hearts.

24. Let me use this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who supported the mission from Singapore, as well as the many who volunteered their services but were never mobilised.  I must also thank the families and loved ones of all healthcare volunteers for their moral support.

25. When the call for help came, you responded as one profession.  By so doing, you have made a difference to the lives of the tsunami victims.  To each of you, I salute you.