Since the 21st century, the ageing population has been increasing, Singapore is also facing the same problem. Sian Chay has embarked on a branch network expansion since 2012 when the first branch in the HDB heartland was established in Ang Mo Kio – Hougang. This was followed by the second branch in Sengkang South in 2013. In 2014, 3 new branches in HDB estates in Whampoa, Boon Lay and Pasir Ris West were opened for service. In 2015, 3 more branches were opened at 535 Geylang (tumour treatment), 692 Geylang (orthopaedic, depression treatment) and Jalan Kayu to serve more elderly and other residents. In 2016, we opened 3 branches at Ang Mo Kio (Transcab HQ), Marsiling and Yio Chu Kang. In 2017, we opened another 3 branches at Punggol North Branch, Gambas Branch and Moulmein-Cairnhill Branch. The Choa Chu Kang Branch opened on 19 July 2021.

Sian Chay currently has a network of 13 branches serving the public. In the past 7 years (2014-2020) Sian Chay has served an aggregate of 2,302,470 patient visits and dispensed 4,494,903 dosages of prescription. In the next 5 years (2021-2025), the no. of patient visits and dosages of prescription are expected to increase to 2.5 million and 4.8 million respectively. The setting up of TCM clinics in the HDB heartlands is aimed at serving more needy and elderly residents, who are less mobile and staying far away, to seek timely consultation and treatment at their convenience. This will enable them to gain convenient access to affordable and beneficial healthcare with financial support.

With the benevolent donation of the $3 million from Lee Foundation, the Pioneer Generation Medical Fund (PGMF) went into operation with effect 1st January 2016. The PGMF granted full waiver of medical charges for 300,000 patient visits by the Pioneer Generation seeking consultation and treatment at Sian Chay TCM clinics.

At the same time, the other ethnic groups including Malay and Indian also witnessed high growth in patient visits. Besides seeking consultation and treatment at Sian Chay, residents can also visit the Wellness Centres to participate in a variety of recreational activities, sharing their experiences, interaction, exchanges; and thereby fostering the “Kampong Spirit” of mutual care and love living together in harmony and friendship in the neighbourhood. Sian Chay supported 2 Wellness Centres (Boon Lay & Yio Chu Kang) which offer mobile library, recreation games and wellness and exercise activities. Sian Chay has actively participated in community charity events to promote health awareness and organize healthy activities, including celebration of Mother’s Day, Chinese New Year, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival. We have also engaged professionals to organise community services such as free hair cut service regularly for the elderly and oil painting lessons; distribution of the multilingual publicity flyer, and goodie bags. Sian Chay also participated in many Care and Share events and distributed 25,000 walking aid umbrellas to elderly, 5,000 dumplings and over 10,000 low sugar single yolk mooncakes to patients and low income families, invited 8,000 elderly to charity concert, 20,000 goodie bags of daily necessities to rental flat residents. With the support from the government and public, our operating business model and cost savings, the cost per patient visit was reduced to about $14.00. Trust, action, attitude and conduct form the integrity and virtues of our charity work. With the acceptance and support of the patients and public, Sian Chay rapidly expanded its branch network into the HDB heartlands. This care and concern will enable them to enjoy good health and blissful living during their golden years.

The extensive media coverage has resulted in both public relations and marketing outcomes in promoting Sian Chay’s platform. Sian Chay Medical Institution maintains good media relations with the local media. The positive media coverage given by the press testifies to the good governance and quality service rendered by Sian Chay Medical Institution to the community regardless of race, religion or nationality. Media coverage not only promotes TCM but also shares and spreads the philosophy of philanthropy and universal love, encourage younger generation and engage more people to participate in charity activities, recruit volunteers and new immigrants to be involved in voluntary services for caring the less privileged in the society; as well as helping the new immigrants to integrate into the local community. The print media also highlighted Sian Chay as an effective Institution providing subsidised TCM service to the community regardless of race, religion or nationality. Moreover, all congratulatory advertisements for the new branch openings were fully sponsored by our well-wishers and supporters. In addition, due to the numerous fundraising events organised by our corporate partners raising funds for Sian Chay Medical Institution, more media coverage were given to these benevolent organisations and individuals promoting charity, benevolence, gratitude and fostering the spirit of universal love. We are indeed grateful to the press, supporters and fundraisers for their support and encouragement to do more and to serve the community.

We hope more people will share with others about Sian Chay Medical Institution as the social enterprise.

Over the past few years, due to the increasing numbers of aged patients, operation and medicine costs rose rapidly; especially manpower costs and capital costs. First and foremost, Sian Chay Medical Institution does not receive any subvention from the government; ie it is a non-funded charity. Fortunately, Sian Chay is approved as an Institution of a Public Character (IPC) registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH). Thus, we could issue tax exempt receipts (with 2.5 times tax relief) for donations received. To offer low cost medicine to the community, Sian Chay subsidises 80% of the medical costs. As our medical charges are highly subsidized (up to 80%), the fee collections are insufficient to defray the prescriptions dispensed. Nevertheless, we are grateful to the grassroots organizations and HDB for leasing the void decks to Sian Chay at a concessionary rate, thus enabling us to achieve substantial cost savings for rental. We are also fortunate to receive matching grant (dollar for dollar) from the Care and Share movement for funds raised between 1 December 2013 to 31 March 2016 as well as regular Tote Board’s grants to defray our fundraising expenses. Owing to the ageing population, more elderly residents require medical care. With only one clinic serving 26 patient visits daily in 2008, Sian Chay expanded its network to 13 branches serving over 1400 patient visits daily and 2 wellness centres serving nearly 10,000 clients. As we need to raise funds for our operation reserves and future HQ building, our fundraising campaign will continue for the next few years to meet our financial goals.

The pandemic has created obstacles for us to do fundraising. Our donations in 2020 have dropped 30% compared with the same period last year, and we estimate that it will fall to 50% this year. It becomes very challenging to sustain our TCM charity operation and charity projects during the pandemic.

“The gratitude and consciousness by the public shall foster peace and harmony in the world.”

Public fundraising and voluntary work to serve the public are key issues concerning the world with major responsibility. We shall maintain a clear conscience to do widespread benevolent acts with compassion, forgiveness, gratitude and universal love. To serve the public interest and humanity cause, we must be selfless with long term commitment. Such dedication can only be achieved by more endurance; more devotion; and more gratitude. Chairman does not receive any remuneration for his full time work at Sian Chay. He even pays for his own refreshments. When Chairman approaches his friends and corporations on behalf of Sian Chay for donations, he will pay for the expenses incurred. Even when enterprises and societies which donated to Sian Chay seek mutual donations, Chairman will personally make the donations in return, not using any fund from Sian Chay’s account. Being a volunteer is kind of devotion. It is sincerity, compassion, gratitude, and priceless. Being intrinsic in nature, its touching, learning and self-cultivation; thereby expressing the value of life. Charity is Devotion and Compassion. Magnamity determines its scope. Charity and Philanthropy are distinct form and substance respectively. Charity has a choice and is optional. One can donate today but discontinue tomorrow. It is not permanent. Philanthropy is permanent, responsibility and compassion. It is not a matter of choice or interest, it is about passion. Philanthropy is contribution and more contribution, gratitude and more gratitude. We cannot decide the length of life, but we can decide its width, to make it more meaningful. In the process of life, for every moment, every occurrence, every experience, we should change whenever we encounter bottleneck and enhance ourselves so as to make life distinctive and benefit the world.

Chairman was approached by his friend, Mr Teo Kim Chuan, who was then the Director of Sian Chay Medical Institution. Mr Teo shared with Chairman the history and difficulties faced by Sian Chay: growing number of aged patients, the operational costs going up correspondingly and also the leadership succession problem. All these challenges made the Board seriously consider whether to continue the operation of Sian Chay or to close down Sian Chay and relegate it to history. Mr Teo Kim Chuan approached Chairman four times to invite him to come on board. After much consideration, Chairman accepted the challenge and become part of the Sian Chay family. In 2006, he joined as the Secretary of the 77th term of the Board of Directors (2006 – 2008) and thereafter assumed Chairmanship of Sian Chay in 2008 till today. Chairman mooted the 5 Core Values, “Forgiveness, Universal Love, Compassion, Gratitude, Blessing” as the service motto of Sian Chay in support of the nation building and social harmony. Sian Chay also embraced the beliefs, “Nation Progresses, Family Prospers. Family Harmony, Successful Endeavours. Forward with the Nation, Bonding with the People”, while engaging in social welfare, community services and various charitable activities to serve the society. Racial harmony is the cornerstone of social cohesion, social consciousness, social progress and social development. Everyone should treasure and contribute to the racial harmony, building a beautiful nation, fostering loving care, friendship, sharing quality life and build a prosperous Singapore.

In order to get ourselves ready for rainy days and to provide quality services to the public, Chairman actively organizes and grooms the management team and staff of Sian Chay. He hopes all will adhere to the vision, values and philanthropic spirit of the pioneering directors, to further promote the Chinese tradition of mutual help and mission of compassion to serve more beneficiaries in the society, and encourage and influence more benevolent people to support Sian Chay’s cause.