Speech by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, At the Healthcare Scholarships Award Ceremony 2024, 26 July 2024, 2.30pm, At Raffles City Convention Centre

Scholarship recipients

Parents and loved ones

Colleagues

Ladies and gentlemen

1. My warmest congratulations to the 108 scholarship recipients today joining the public healthcare industry.

2. Today, there are many scholarships for our young people to apply. Fortunately, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is able to get our fair share of scholars every year through our scholarship programmes. This is an integral part of our talent strategy.

3. I received a scholarship over 30 years ago, so I don't know what is going on in your minds. But when I was sitting where you were, though not a MOH scholarship but a Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship, these were the mix of emotions that went on in our minds. Some, like me, felt that this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Others might be thinking, "OK, there is a bond after I graduate, but after that I will be free to pursue what I want." Yet others would be thinking, "Actually I don't know the sector very well. So I wonder what I got myself into?"

4. All these sentiments of a young person are understandable. It is a big step to take in committing yourselves and signing bonds. Today, I want to assure you. If you have the right attitude and curiosity to learn, this is a fulfilling and exciting career, and you have made the right choice. And it is probably one of the best things that has happened to your life.

5. Let me share with you three reasons why.

An Exciting Time of Change

6. First, you are entering the healthcare sector at a very exciting time of change and transformation, when Singapore is confronting one of its biggest social transformations in our history, which is an ageing population, which has never happened before.

7. In 2026, over one in five Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above, making us a super-aged society. We will age even further after that. With an ageing population and the kind of demographic change, everything about healthcare changes - in the kinds of patient profiles we will see, the types of illnesses that we have to encounter, and the kind of community and hospital care that we have to deliver.

8. At the same time, healthcare technology is advancing very rapidly. Precision medicine enables us to intervene at the cellular or even genetic level to cure a disease, although it is very expensive. Artificial intelligence (AI) enables clinicians to now spot and diagnose illnesses and conditions that they could not. We can use technology and AI to predict the likelihood of patients developing serious illnesses very far in advance, and take steps to prevent it. All these are unprecedented, exciting developments.

9. These are powerful forces, driving us to transform our healthcare system to leverage the tools of the future to meet the needs of tomorrow. We have launched major national programmes, such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG, to invest heavily in preventive care, reshaping the lifestyles of people.

10. We are tackling the mental health challenge robustly. We have precision medicine and AI strategies. We are expanding our infrastructure and expanding our healthcare workforce. We are moving to a system where health is built in the community, rather than diseases cured in hospitals. We are putting a lot more emphasis in the community. To do so, we are restructuring job roles progressively, enabling healthcare professionals to practise at the top of their licences.

Developing Our Talent

11. The second reason is that in the healthcare family, we will do our best to develop your skills and knowledge, and guide you in advancing your career. There are diverse opportunities for staff development in the public healthcare sector. You will have opportunities to work in multidisciplinary care teams across different settings, from hospitals to polyclinics to the community.

12. Let me give you a glimpse of what former MOH scholars are now doing. I try not to pickthe exceptional examples, but solid, talented professionals who leverage the scholarship to build a very meaningful career in public healthcare.

13. I start with Mr Lew Zhen Wei, who was awarded the Healthcare Graduate Studies Award to study Clinical Psychology in Melbourne in 2010. He started as a forensic psychologist, working with youths who had committed violent and sexual offences. Over time, he developed a special interest in addressing the mental health concerns of youths, including those with addiction issues and complex psychological needs.

14. Zhen Wei is now a Principal Clinical Psychologist with Changi General Hospital (CGH). He shared that CGH has provided him with continual opportunities to grow and develop in both his professional and personal lives, which have been immensely rewarding.

15. Next is Ms Lim Xiao Min Lilian, who was awarded the Health Science Scholarship, now known as the Healthcare Merit Scholarship, to study Occupational Therapy in Queensland, Australia in 2004.

16. She joined National University Hospital after graduation, rotated through a few postings, and eventually specialised and developed services in low vision rehabilitation. She delivers care through therapy services and found joy and fulfilment working with patients in their homes and the community.

17. Lilian then spent a few years working in the community care sector in a management role, where she helped to set up a new day rehabilitation centre. In 2018, she received a sponsorship for further studies to study the Master of Health Practices in Rehabilitation. Currently, she oversees the Occupational Therapy department at Jurong Community Hospital.

18. Finally, Dr Hoi Shu Yin, who was awarded a scholarship to study Nursing in London in 1997. She joined Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) after graduation, where she developed her nursing career. She could feel the impact of her work, and is passionate about it.

19. She also saw the opportunities made possible by technology and innovation. One of the many projects that she was involved in is the development of a patient fall monitoring system, called PreSAGE, that helps to reduce both patient falls and manpower hours. Today, Shu Yin is the Chief Nurse at TTSH.

20. Zhen Wei, Lilian and Shu Yin all started their careers as young scholars. They exemplified the need for intellectual curiosity, and openness to challenge the status quo.

A Calling and A Mission

21. Finally, and probably the most important reason why I believe you have made the right choice, is the sense of strong public mission in the healthcare industry to care for Singaporeans.

22. We witnessed the power of care especially during pandemics, such as SARS in 2003 and the recent COVID-19. The courage, dedication and selflessness of healthcare professionals were key to us defeating the virus, and in the process, inspired many Singaporeans.

23. In every career and profession, remuneration and working conditions matter a lot. Rest assured, MOH focuses on these issues. We want to make sure our sector is competitive and offers a good learning and working environment. But what makes a career special is the sense of mission that ignites the passion in us. You are young, and it takes time for you to discover your passion. I want to assure you that you can find that in the public healthcare sector. Give us a chance, and give yourself a chance.

24. With that thought, I wish all of you the best in your studies, and I look forward to welcoming you to the public healthcare sector after your graduation. Thank you.