College Mirror VOL

THE College Mirror VOL. 41 NO. 4 DECEMBER 2015 A Publication of College of Family Physicians Singapore IN THIS ISSUE: CONVOCATION 2015 ADDRESS BY GUEST-OF- HONOUR DR LAM PIN MIN Pg 4 Health Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong (in red) and Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min (second from left) joined Pioneer GPs and medical students at the SG50 Appreciation Dinner. Image courtesy of AIC Singapore Thanks Our Pioneer GPs by Dr Chan Hian Hui Vincent, FCFP(S), Editorial Board Member he Ministry of Health (MOH), the island, providing easy access to health Agency for Integrated Care and care as well as a “variety of services” our College of Family Physicians given the diverse skill sets among today’s Singapore (CFPS), co-organized the GPs. Minister took this chance to thank TSG50 Appreciation Dinner for our Pioneer all GPs for supporting the government’s Generation General Practitioners (GPs) Chronic Disease Management Program on 30th October 2015. This was held at (CDMP), Community Health Assistance INAUGURATION OF the Copthorne by the Waterfront Hotel Scheme (CHAS), Pioneer Generation COLLEGE PROGRAMME ballroom, and it was graced by Health Package (PGP) and Haze Subsidy Schemes. FOR MMED(FM) & Pg 13 Minister Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister These were excellent programs by which COLLEGIATE MEMBERSHIP of State Dr Lam Pin Min, AIC Deputy the government channelled resources to CEO, Dr Wong Kirk Chuan and College participating GPs in order to enhance President A/Prof Lee Kheng Hock. primary care. Minister Gan aptly summed up the event, On overcoming the national crises of when he mentioned that “as we celebrate the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks in 2003 Singapore’s Golden Jubilee this year, we and 2009 respectively, Minister Gan gather to honour our Pioneer GPs in saluted GPs and all frontline staff who recognition of your efforts and support despite potential risk of exposure to the of the development of the national viruses, did remain steadfast in duty, until healthcare system for more than 50 the outbreak was finally contained. In years." For example, the challenges of particular, he hailed “our pioneer doctors, the early years were that of accessibility (who) in the roles they have played during to basic health care services and how these crises, have also set a firm foundation this has changed over the years. Today, for future doctors to build upon.” He Singapore is served by a wide network of private medical clinics spread throughout LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW (continued on Page 4) ON CAPITAL 958FM Pg 26 December 2015 COVER STORY / EVENT VOL 41(4) (continued from Cover Page: Singapore Thanks Our Pioneer GPs) expressed hope that younger generation 1983, the 10th WONCA World Conference were many anecdotes, and judging from the of doctors and medical students “(would) on family medicine. Many other milestones laughter, these must be stories that many of be inspired by the dedicated and selfless and achievements followed. our Pioneer GPs can relate to. attributes of these pioneering doctors.” Then Dr James Chang took the stage and It was a wonderful experience joining in During the dinner, A/Prof Goh Lee Gan shared some anecdotes with all about GP this appreciation dinner for our Pioneer and A/Prof Lee Kheng Hock spoke about practice in those early years. He spoke GPs. I found it enlightening to hear about how the College of General Practitioners about how his was a solo practice in a the history of Family Medicine in Singapore, Singapore was formed on 30 June 1971 by rural setting, where patients were poor both from a policy and ground level a determined and visionary group of GPs, and did at times pay in kind. For example, perspective, and to appreciate how our who saw the need to champion academic a patient once gave him 2 live chickens discipline has progressed tremendously Family Medicine and raise standards for which he had no choice but to keep in the together with our nation. It was also a night our fraternity. And how our College has toilet, since his clinic session was ongoing. of fun, and from across my table at one of continued to push the boundaries, gaining However, another patient had a fright when the “100% Pioneer GP tables” I could see recognition both internationally and locally. he was about to use that toilet. In another that they were having a great time chatting To signify the academic charter of the anecdote, he related about how he had to about old and new times. Pioneers like Dr College, the very first issue of “The GP” make an urgent house call at an even more Moti Vaswani, Dr Neo Eak Chan and Dr was published on 1st March 1973. This was remote location, where after a long car Tan Cheng Bock were among those I could to be our own medical journal, and it was ride, he still had to walk a distance. Herein name. To commemorate the event, AIC renamed the “Singapore Family Physician” lies the key importance of history taking, and MOH presented a custom made SG50 in 1975. Teaching was organized as well, as the patient had complained of urinary Parker pen for all Pioneer GPs, as a gesture and by 1974, the MCGP(S) designation retention. He was well prepared, and once of Singapore’s thanks for their work and was recognized by the Singapore Medical he got to the site he performed urinary contributions. Council. College also organized its first catheterization with the Foley catheter and major international conference in May the patient was immensely grateful. There To our pioneer GPs... We salute you! CM ADDRESS BY GUEST-OF-HONOUR ~ Dr Lam Pin Min Delivered by Dr Lam Pin Min, Minister of State for Health Introduction years, and is expected to double again 1. It is my pleasure to join you at the in the next 15 years. annual Family Medicine Convocation Ceremony. Let me extend my heartiest 4. Given the ageing population, chronic congratulations to the graduating class disease management and home care of 2015 on the successful completion will become increasingly important in of their training. primary care. 2. Family Physicians are a key group of Accessible and Affordable Convocation 2015 medical professionals playing an Primary Care important role in delivering care to our 5. The Ministry of Health appreciates population today. Our graduands now the partnerships of our Family join the ranks of their seniors in Physicians and General Practitioners meeting the care needs of patients, to ensure that primary care remains amidst a growing national chronic accessible and affordable to disease burden and healthcare Singaporeans. The Community affordability concerns. Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) has been significantly enhanced in recent Challenges Facing an years, such as the relaxation of the Ageing Singapore patient qualifying criteria. In addition, Welcome 3. As we celebrate Singapore’s Jubilee the Pioneer Generation Package was Associate Professor Lee Kheng Hock, Year, it is timely for us to reflect on introduced in last year in recognition President, College of Family Physicians the journey that our primary care of our Pioneers’ contributions to Singapore sector has taken against the backdrop nation-building, giving all Pioneers Distinguished Guests of changing demographics. Over the access to CHAS. The Chronic Disease Ladies and Gentlemen last 50 years, Singapore’s population Management Programme (CDMP) was Good evening has grown from 1.87 million to 5.5 also expanded in June this year and now million. The number of citizens aged 65 covers a total of 19 chronic conditions. and above has doubled in the last 15 These enhancements have allowed THE ♦4 College Mirror.

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