Singapore, 15 November 2008 - A strong health focus underlies SingHealth’s community outreach and fund-raising efforts for this year’s President’s Challenge. Today, the Outram Campus -- where several SingHealth institutions are located -- buzzed with a hive of healthy lifestyle activities as these institutions played host to some 2,000 beneficiaries and members of the public.

It was a fitting finale to the past few weeks of fund-raising and “fun-raising” activities among SingHealth staff, which saw doctors turn chefs and car wash crew, all in the name of charity. Together with community partners, SingHealth has exceeded its $250,000 fund-raising target for 2008.

Themed “Healthcare, I Care!” Day, SingHealth institutions on the Outram Campus rallied together to volunteer time and effort to organise mass free health screenings, a rehabilitation carnival and a health walk, to encourage the public and beneficiaries to take ownership of their health and keep active.

Elaborating on the theme, Ms Charity Wai, Chairperson of “Healthcare, I Care!” Day Organising Committee, who is also the Chief Operating Officer of Singapore National Eye Centre, said: “The theme brings us back to the heart of the President’s Challenge which is to go beyond just raising money but also to reach out to the beneficiaries in tangible ways. SingHealth institutions have done that this year by doing what we do best – providing healthcare services to the beneficiaries. We hope that through the myriad of activities, we are able to do something fun and meaningful for the needy in our community.”

Beneficiaries from Asian Women’s Welfare Association, and Jamiyah Singapore received eye checks and general health screening while children from Infant Jesus Homes and Children’s Centres had dental check-ups. These screenings for about 1,800 members of the public and beneficiaries, valued at more than $100,000 in total, are offered by National Heart Centre Singapore, SingHealth Polyclinics and community health partner, SATA, for general health while those by Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and National Dental Centre Singapore are for eye and oral health respectively. The SNEC and SATA screenings were held in conjunction with SNEC’s 9th Eye Care Day, an annual event to promote general awareness of common blinding conditions and preventive eye care, which all SNEC staff will be involved.

The elderly and wheelchair-bound residents from Sathya Sai Social Services and St Hilda’s Community Services Centre enjoyed an exciting line-up of rehabilitation-based activities comprising fun and interesting ways to keep fit and enhance balance and coordination of fine motor skills, such as Nintendo Wii, puzzle games, and relaxing massages. This Rehab Carnival organised by Singapore General Hospital (SGH) was also part of the annual SGH Community Day programme.

Coca-Cola, a like-minded partner in promoting health, supported “Healthcare, I Care!” Day by organising the SingHealth & Coca-Cola Friendship Walk. About 80 beneficiaries from the Association for Persons with Special Needs, MINDS, and Jamiyah Singapore, accompanied by 170 staff from SingHealth and Coca-Cola covered a 2-km route around the Outram Campus.

Leading up to “Healthcare, I Care!” Day, SingHealth staff have been working hard in various ways to achieve their fund-raising target of $250,000. Besides charity bazaars, pledge cards and donations from the 15,000 staff as well as other generous individuals and foundations, some doctors even rolled up their sleeves outside the clinic and hospital setting to raise funds in creative ways.

Professor Donald Tan, Medical Director of SNEC, personally whipped-up two 5-course gourmet dinners. To partake of his Italian-Japanese fusion menu on the first night and French-Italian-Singaporean menu on the second, guests had to contribute a minimum of $100 to the President’s Challenge. A group of SNEC doctors also gamely washed cars at a minimum of $20 a car. Other doctors, nurses, and staff baked cookies and cakes to be sold at daily charity bazaars held at Outram Campus.

SingHealth has exceeded its target of $250,000 and raised $300,000 in support of President’s Challenge 2008, including a $20,000 donation from Coca-Cola. Mr Niam Chiang Meng, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports, received the cheque on behalf of President S R Nathan. SingHealth has been an active supporter of President’s Challenge, and over the last four years, it has raised more than $1 million for its beneficiaries.

“SingHealth is privileged to play a part in this meaningful cause for the fifth year running. Despite the tough economic times, I am pleased that our staff and partners in the community are still generously contributing their time and money to reach out to the needy. “Healthcare, I Care!” Day rallies SingHealth institutions and the healthcare community as one family to pool our expertise to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” said Prof Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer, SingHealth.

SingHealth is the largest healthcare group in Singapore, offering a complete range of multi-disciplinary and integrated medical care. The group consists of 3 Hospitals, 5 National Specialty Centres, and a network of 9 polyclinics. We have a faculty of internationally qualified medical specialists and are also well equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology. We are dedicated to providing quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our patients. By pursuing excellence in our 3 pillars of Service, Education, and Research, we aim to be the trusted leader in healthcare for our patients, partners, staff, and the community.