Precursors
The late Mr. Ng Aik Huan
Mr. Ng has kindly revealed during an interview that the early years’ directors of Sian Chay Medical Institution, such as Mr. Zhang Xiyuan and Mr. Zhang Wenliu from Ru Yuan He, Mr. Guo Keji from Guo Fu Cheng, Mr. Lan Liyi who operated a laundry shop and a pawnshop, invited him to join the board of directors. He was soon elected as the chairman. It is said that Sian Chay Medical Institution owed about $28,000 at that time, so the directors raised funds by collecting donations while they rode all over Singapore on their bicycles. They even went to Johor to raise funds as many people living there also received medical treatment from the institution. Soon after, an Indonesian entrepreneur named Mr. Wang Zhenhuang and a famous Singaporean, Mr. Lin Tuiqian, donated a building located at 124 Bencoolen Street to the institution. The institution moved from Victoria Street to that address in 1916.
The late Mr. Lim Seng Choo
Mr. Lim was the chairman of the Board of Directors for 10 terms from the 56th term to the 65th term (1964-1983). When the government acquired Sian Chay Medical Institution’s building in 1975, the Board of Directors at that time set up a fundraising committee comprising Mr Lim Seng Choo, Mr. Huang Yihuan, Mr. Guo Chengyuan, Mr Lee Teck Anm and Mr. Zhang Zhengyi to raise funds to purchase its present-day property at 610 Geylang Road. The Institution officially moved to its current address in 1979. After retiring in 1983 as he was advanced in years, Mr. Lim remained on the Board of Directors and helped in the development of the institution until 1991. Passing away in September, 1993, his family members executed his will and contributed $3,680,000 to the National University of Singapore, $2,000,000 to Singapore General Hospital and $300,000 to the medical fund of Sian Chay Medical Institution.
The late Mr. Khoo Swee Poh BBM (L), JP
Mr. Khoo Swee Poh BBM (L), JP, was actively involved in community service. He chaired the Cairnhill Citizens’ Consultative Committee for more than 20 years since he was first elected in 1965. He took over Mr. Lim Seng Choo as chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution from 1984 to 2005, a total of 22 years. During his tenure, Mr. Khoo went through hardship without complaint and spared no effort to build a good reputation for the institution.
Mr. Ong Sing Pang
Mr. Ong Sing Pang held the office of secretary and treasurer from the 64th term to the 72nd term (1980 – 1997). He served the institution with dedication for 18 years until he passed away in 1998. He was active in the financial sector. In those 18 years, he would always devote his time to the Institution no matter how busy he was. He also helped to publicize the institution at social and business functions and raised funds for the institution enthusiastically.