Sian Chay Medical Institution Marsiling Branch Grand Opening to Benefit the public
Sian Chay Medical Institution Marsiling Branch Grand Opening to Benefit the public
On August 5, Sian Chay Marsiling Branch was officially opened by Dr. Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament, MP for Mariling-Yew Tee GRC and Patron of Sian Chay Medical Institution and witnessed by Mr. Lim Hock Chee BBM, CEO of Sheng Siong Group and Chairman of Marsiling Community Club Management Committee , Mr. Toh Soon Huat BBM, PVPA, Chairman of Sian Chay Medical Institution, Marsiling grassroots leaders and Honourable Chairmen and Directors of Sian Chay. Dr. Halimah made an important speech at the opening ceremony.
Sian Chay currently has a total of 13 branches, serving more than 1,000 patients daily. By the end 2017, there will be two more new branches of service, that is, Moulmein-Cairnhill Branch and Gambas Branch, bringing the total number of branches to 15, with a daily estimated patient visits up to 1,500. The annual operating expenses are estimated at S $ 6 million. In addition, four wellness centres (Sengkang South, Boon Lay, Marsiling and Yio Chu Kang), serve about 10,000 residents with recreational activities every year to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing.
In January 2016, the setting up of Sian Chay Marsiling Branch was approved by MOH and construction was completed on August 30, 2016. Since the commencement of service in October 2016, the average daily number of patients is more than 200. The branch has todate served a total of 15,576 patients, dispensed 53,615 dosages of prescriptions . Non-Chinese patients accounted for 40% of the total number of patient visits.
Marsiling Branch has 3 physicians, 2 therapists and 3 receptionists. Pioneer Generation, Silver Ribbon clients and RSVP senior volunteers all enjoy full waiver of medical charges at all clinics of Sian Chay. In addition, low-income residents in Marsiling area can also enjoy free medical treatment after they obtain referral letters from MP for Marsiling at Meet-the-People sessions.
The renovation costs of Marsiling Branch, $300,000 in total, were sponsored by Mr. Lim Hock Chee BBM, CEO of Sheng Siong Group and Chairman of Marsiling Community Club Management Committee. The branch’s facilities includes an activity room and a reading room for the residents to relax and interact. Residents can organize training, health and wellness activities on weekdays.
Mdm Dr. Halimah, Speaker of Parliament, highly commended the charity concept of free TCM, regardless of race, religion or nationality; and treating all with equal kindness. She said, “Sian Chay provided excellent charity TCM services for the low-income families.” She mentioned that she distributed Sian Chay brochures during her house visits in her constituency; and she also encouraged residents to visit Marsiling branch for TCM treatments.
She also took the opportunity to thank Lee Foundation who once again donated another $1 million in July to top up the Pioneer Generation Medical Fund for supporting 100,000 patient visits. She appreciated the generous kindness from Lee Foundation. With the support of PGMF, Sian Chay could continue to waive the medical expenses for Pioneer Generation.
Mr. Toh Soon Huat, Chairman of Sian Chay, shared his thoughts. Doing good deeds and charity are two different behaviors. With different levels and realms. Good deeds follow one’s heart and are random and dispensable. One can easily choose between donating or not donating, which is called good deed, with a free choice. However, charity is a commitment. There is no choice for taking or not taking the responsibility, liking or not liking. It’s only about more devotion and more gratitude.
With the official commencement of operations of the Marsiling Branch, it will help more people to relieve their pain and bring them health and happiness. Helping an individual means helping the whole family, as each family member’s sickness will surely affect the mood of a family. Our mission is to help patients to relieve from pain and create a healthy and happy family and build a harmonious society, which adheres to the spirit of Sian Chay, “Trust, Action, Attitude, and Conduct ”. Mr. Toh Soon Huat, Chairman of Sian Chay, promotes the 5 core values of Sian Chay. He said, “Forgiveness, Universal Love, Compassion, Gratitude and Blessing” , are the codes of conduct for everyone in Sian Chay.” Sian Chay should strive for more well-being for Singaporeans, to promote the concept of “From the society, For the society” and to care for the vulnerable groups, with efforts or money. We wish everyone working together to contribute to charity cause within one’s means. Nation Progresses, Family Prospers; Family Harmony, Successful Endeavours. Forward with the Nation, Bonding with the People. This can lead to a better society.
At the ceremony, Dr. Halimah interacted with more than 600 residents of Marsiling and distributed food packs to the residents.
Charity is the messenger of the world, Succor spreads in the world, regardless of race or nationality, to send warmth to people, to bring prosperity to the country, to bring well-being to the public.
We hope that together we can share Sian Chay’s charity TCM platform with more people, so that more people will be aware of Sian Chay, know about Sian Chay, and make Sian Chay better. Let us all move forward with Sian Chay with more good deeds, contributions to the society to benefit the public and to create a harmonious society.