Message from Guest-of-Honour Dr. Koh Poh Koon
Message from Guest-of-Honour
Dr. Koh Poh Koon
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry
Amazing Charity
“慈” refers to the elder’s love for juniors.“善” refers to the love and mutual benefit between people.
Charity is the expression of love for life through relief, aid or donation, which brings warmth to life. Charity is a voluntary act of giving one’s love and assistance from the heart, without expectations of returns or benefits to self. It is an act of selfless love that helps the poor and vulnerable. The rewards of charity may be just a smile, a simple “thank you”.
The ancient sages once said: The moon starts to wane when it is full, and the water begins to overflow when its container is full. Almost everything in the world has a certain “quantity” to measure its value, with scarcity driving its worth. But charity is not measured by quantity. It does not matter how much love or how noble the love is from your heart. It only matters that you have goodwill in your heart.
Over the past 100 years, Sian Chay Medical Institution has stayed true to its original mission in serving the poor unceasingly. Sian Chay benefits people with its medical services regardless of race, religion or social status. Countless patients have received timely medical treatment, and people from all walks of life have also commended, supported and trusted Sian Chay. The charity platform of Sian Chay is also dedicated to promoting racial harmony and social stability. The five core values “Forgiveness, Universal Love, Compassion, Gratitude and Blessing” advocated by Mr. Toh Soon Huat are deeply rooted in the hearts of every Sian Chay staff, through whom the warmth of love is brought to the patients.
I have been in medical practice for nearly 20 years. I seldom see patients suffering from serious ailments with pains, fears and anxieties smile in the clinics. During my first visit to Sian Chay Medical Institution, the first and the most important observation was that every patient was wearing a smile in this clinic and it was filled with a friendly atmosphere. This proves that the concept of charity has permeated through the hearts of our residents and patients. I hope everyone will have the opportunity to observe and experience this feeling of well-being personally, to understand the impact of Sian Chay Medical Institution in the community, as well as the comfort they bring to those residents in need.
With an ageing population in Singapore, the burden of chronic diseases is expected to increase. It is encouraging to see that in recent years, many non-Chinese residents also visited Sian Chay clinics. With increased demand it will not be easy for Sian Chay to maintain their medical services. Therefore, I am very pleased to see that Sian Chay has gathered a group of charitable people, contributing money or effort to take this cause further. Thank you all for your efforts!
For a long time, Sian Chay has also paid great attention to working together with the younger generation in charity, turning the positive energy of our youths to benefit the larger society.
Hence, I would like to express my gratitude for all that Sian Chay Medical Institution has contributed to society. My best wishes to Sian Chay Medical Institution as you continue to scale new heights in your mission!