R e p o r t 27

Reported by Krysania Tan & Adeline Chua

Standing (L-R): Prof Raj Nambiar, Dr Wong Chiang Yin, Dr M Ponnusamy, Dr Lee Pheng Soon, Dr Lee Suan Yew, Prof Wonchat Subhachaturas Seated (L-R): Mrs Lee, Mrs Goh, SM , Mrs Nambiar

SMA Annual Dinner

he evening of 27 May 2006 (Saturday) “A superior physician heals the nation.” Council was a memorable one for many of the Member Dr Chin Jing Jih expounded briefly on T 300-over guests who attended the SMA the calligraphy (see page 4), after which Senior Annual Dinner at the Royal Ballroom of the Minister Goh delivered a speech (see front page). Regent Hotel. Guests were also treated to a delightful Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong graced musical interlude by Dr Chang Tou Liang the event as our Guest-of-Honour. For his (piano) and Dr Derek Lim (liuqing). This distinguished life in public service and was followed by presentation of the other contributions to healthcare, Senior Minister awards: Medical Journal (SMJ) Best Goh was also conferred the SMA Honorary Research Paper Awards, SMA Merit Awards and Membership. His citation was delivered by Dr SMA Long Service Awards. The Association , Minister for Community also presented for the first time, tokens of Development, Youth and Sports and Second appreciation to the SMA Immediate Past Minister for Information, Communications President and retired Council Members for their and the Arts (see page 5). In addition to the invaluable contributions and service. Honorary Membership award, SMA also presented Senior Minister Goh with a Chinese SMJ BEST RESEARCH PAPER calligraphy scroll containing the characters AWARDS 2005 上医医国, which translate literally into The SMJ Best Research Paper was launched Page 28 S M A N e w s J u n e 2 0 0 6 V o l 3 8 ( 6 ) 28

Page 27 – SMA Annual Dinner

Left-Right: Dr M Ponnusamy (Honorary Secretary, Malaysian Medical Standing (L-R): Dr Chew Chin Hin, Prof Lee Yong Kiat, Dr Mah Guan Kong, A/Prof Association), Dr Ivor Thevathasan, Dr Wong Chiang Yin Goh Lee Gan, Dr Tan Yew Ghee Seated (L-R): Mrs Chew, Mrs Lee, Mrs Mah, Mrs Tan

Standing (L-R): Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Dr Chong Yeh Woei, Prof Fock Kwong Ming, Standing (L-R): A/Prof Cheong Pak Yean, Dr Toh Choon Lai, Dr William Chew, Prof Tan Ser Kiat, Prof Ong Yong Yau Dr Wee Keng Poh, Dr Ho Lai Yun Seated (L-R): Mrs Tan, Prof Aline Wong, Minister , Mrs Fock, Seated (L-R): Mrs Chew, Mrs Wee, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Prof & Mrs Chee Dr Lam Sian Lian Yam Cheng

Left-Right: Dr Ng Han Seong, Dr Toh Choon Lai, Dr Chong Yeh Woei, Dr Tham Ms Emily (Pfizer) presents the first prize for the SMJ Best Research Paper Award to Tat Yean Dr Thein Myint Myint, who receives it on behalf of the team.

in 2003 to give due recognition to local and Second Prize – S$3,000 cash award sponsored regional researchers for outstanding research by SMA – Dr Chng Wee Joo, Ms ChristinaSum papers published in the journal. and Dr Ponnudurai Kuperan for their paper: The preliminary round of judging was Causes of isolated prolonged activated partial done by three SMJ Editorial Board Members: thromboplastin time in an acute general hospital. A/Prof Chow Wan Cheng, A/Prof Ho And Third Prize – S$2,000 cash award Nai Kiong and Dr Pwee Keng Ho. The sponsored by SMA – Dr Tan Hiok Hee final round of judging was completed by and A/Prof Roy KW Chan for their paper: Prof Chee Yam Cheng, Prof Lee Eng Hin and Use of polymerase chain reaction on pooled Prof Wilfred C G Peh. cervical swabs to detect Chlamydia trachomatis First Prize – S$5,000 cash award sponsored infections in female sex workers in Singapore. by Pfizer Pte Ltd – went to Dr Thein Myint All winners also received a commemorative Myint, A/Prof and Ms Bun Pui trophy and certificate. Yoke for their paper: Knowledge, attitude SMA and SMJ would like to thank Pfizer and practices of childhood injuries and their Pte Ltd for their generous sponsorship for prevention by primary caregivers in Singapore. the First Prize. Page 2926 S M A N e w s J u n e 2 0 0 6 V o l 3 8 ( 6 ) 29

Page 28 – SMA Annual Dinner

Standing (L-R): Dr Kuperan Ponnudurai, Dr Tan Hiok Hee, Dr Lee Bee Wah Left-Right: Club Rainbow – Dr Janice Wong, Mr Gregory Vijayendran, Seated (L-R): Mrs Ponnudurai, Ms Bun Pui Yoke, Dr Thein Myint Myint, Mrs Tan Mr David Miller, Mr Raj

Prof Arthur Lim and guests. Standing (L-R): Mr Sonny Wee, Dr , Mr Bruce Cheng, Dr Bobby Cheng Seated (L-R): Dr Yeap Min Li, Dr Jeanette Chen, Dr Kelly Loi, Mrs Cheng

Dr Chau Chwen Hwe receiving the SMA Merit Award from Dr Lee Pheng Soon. The SMA Secretariat Standing (L-R): Nirmal, Krysania, Yen Hoon, Miranda, Emmeline, Karen, Caroline, Adeline, Shyanne & Regina Seated (L-R): Syafiqah, Liena, Mdm Lui & Gek Eng Absent: Mohari, Resan, Rini & Angeline

TOKENS OF APPRECIATION Members, doctors or non-medical Tokens of appreciation were presented to professionals. Dr Lee Pheng Soon, SMA Immediate Past Dr Chau Chwen Hwe, Part-time President, as well as retired Council Members, with NHGP, has contributed significantly to the Dr Tham Tat Yean (Assistant Honorary community in the form of free clinics, medical Secretary – 2001; Honorary Secretary – 2002- mission and health education to poor slum 2004) and Dr Ivor Thevathasan (Council areas, both urban and rural, in the Philippines Member – 2000-2005). since 1998. Dr Chau dedicates part of her time to bringing similar medical programmes to SMA MERIT AWARDS 2006 , Pakistan, Indonesia and Indochina. Started in 2003, the SMA Merit Awards Mr , Partner in Litigation are presented in recognition of recipients’ and Dispute Resolution at Allen & Gledhill significant contributions to SMA and Advocates & Solicitors, has provided legal the medical profession, social service to advice to the Association on several occasions the community or commendable personal and also speaks regularly at its seminars. achievements. Recipients may be SMA Dr Loo Choon Yong, SMA Honorary Page 33 S M A N e w s J u n e 2 0 0 6 V o l 3 8 ( 6 ) 33

Page 31 – Examinations THE END unyielding stream of exams, week in and week So, in a nutshell: there are too many exams, and out, to occupy one’s time? exams that do not seem to do their job. Do I have Similarly, but in a slightly different vein, all the answers? Obviously not, otherwise I would constant assessments not only murder the joy be appointed Dean of the Yong Loo Lin School of learning for learning’s sake but also probably of Medicine (or at least, should be), instead of diminish quality of life outside medical school. spending weekends, public holidays and assorted Many times, we find well-meaning lecturers weeknights on call, and performing a manual urging us to pursue interests outside of medicine faecal evacuation. and medical school, but for the vast majority of Still, that should not in any way detract medical students, maintaining good grades and from the fact that after finishing five years of keeping aside time for family and friends and medical school, I have come away convinced that getting enough sleep pretty much take up the the examination system, both throughout the universal time quota of 24 hours in a day. course and right at the end, are fundamentally In my rather simplistic mind, then, the flawed to the extent that they not only do not equation would look something like this: serve their purpose adequately and fairly, but Fewer exams = more time for self-study/ also do a disservice to the development of future recreation/pursuing outside interests/nothing at generations of doctors. all = happier students + more vibrant student Something should be done, but what? ■ community = a more heterogeneous, exciting The views and opinions expressed in this article are local medical community. exclusively the author’s own, and are not the views of the Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Editorial Board nor the SMA council.

Page 29 – SMA Annual Dinner

Standing (L-R): Dr Tong Ming Chuan, Dr Geh Min, Dr Wong Kwok Yun, Dr Chee Left-Right: Dr Lee Yik Voon, Dr Agnes Tan, Mrs & Dr Yue Wai Mun, Prof Tan Ser Kiat Phui Hung, Dr Wong Sze Tai Seated (L-R): Mrs Chong, Dr Wong Moh Sim, Dr Diana Chee, Mrs Mary Wong, Dr John Chong

Secretary (1980 to 1981) and Chief Executive Theng also received the award for his outstanding Officer of Raffles Hospital Pte Ltd, was service to the Sports and Games Committee. recognised for his significant contributions and valuable services to the SMA. SMA STAFF LONG SERVICE AWARDS Two Secretariat staff received the award SMA LONG SERVICE AWARDS this year. Ms Noor Azliena Bte Samhudi, Three doctors received the SMA Long Service Administrative Officer, and Ms Krysania Tan, Awards for their meritorious service to SMA Deputy Chief Administrator and Editorial Council and Committees for the past 10 years. Manager of SMA News, have been with SMA Dr Chong Yeh Woei, SMA 1st Vice President, for ten and five years respectively. has been serving on the SMA Council and Private Practice Committee. Dr Teo Wee Siong was SMA would like to take this opportunity to recognised for his contributions to the SMA-SNA thank all guests who attended the Dinner and CPR Training Programme Committee. Dr Julian made it a success. ■

S M A N e w s J u n e 2 0 0 6 V o l 3 8 ( 6 )