The Official Opening Of Northern Hope Medical Specialists Centre

09 Jul 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For Information, Communications And The Arts And Health

Venue: Punggol Plaza

Fellow Members of Parliament,

Dr Khor Chin Kee, Medical Director of Northern Hope Medical Specialists Centre,

Board of Directors of Northern Hope Medical Specialists Centre,

Distinguished Guests,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon to officiate the opening of Northern Hope Medical Specialists Centre. This centre is the product of the collaboration between National Healthcare Group (NHG) and Healthmark Investments to introduce private medical specialist services to HDB heartlands. This is an interesting model as it is a public-private market based healthcare delivery model. We must be innovative and try out new models so that Singaporeans have more choices when they seek healthcare services.    I hope that this new model of care will respond to the healthcare needs of a segment of our population who want private specialist care located conveniently close to their homes.

Providing accessible healthcare

Located here in Punggol, this centre brings multi-disciplinary specialist medical care to the "door-steps" of HDB heartland. There is an estimated 195,000 households residing in the northern and north-eastern parts of Singapore who can stand to benefit from this centre.  Previously, residents in this area had to journey significant distance away from their neighbourhood to receive such specialist care.  Hence, I welcome this move to bring specialist medical care closer to the people. If the response to this specialist centre is good, I am certain more similar centres will open in other heartland  neighbourhoods.

Collaboration with General Practitioners

I understand that Northern Hope Medical Specialist centre is actively collaborating with general practitioners in the North and North-East part of Singapore. For cost effective healthcare, there should be cooperation between primary healthcare doctors and specialist. To ensure that patients receive optimal care, it is important for the care between primary and specialist care providers to be integrated. 

Involvement in the community

I am also happy to see the strong involvement of Northern Hope in the community. I was informed that monthly Public Forum Health Talks on a variety of topics ranging from digestive disease to pregnancy to plastic surgery are conducted. While we want Singaporeans to receive the best available medical care, the best approach is still prevention and early detection. Private healthcare providers have an important role in promoting good health in our community. Hence, I urge more private healthcare providers to take on this social and professional responsibility in public health education, as well as other community healthcare activities.

Conclusion

Finally, I would like to congratulate the management and staff of Northern Hope on the occasion of the opening of this centre. I wish you success in your efforts to bring specialist care to the people living in this part of Singapore.

Thank you.