Medicine students give back to the community

20 Aug 2009

Come 29 August, students from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSoM) will be doing their part to help the community. In the inaugural event "Ride for Hope 2009", students will be cycling around Singapore, stopping at six public hospitals in a bid to raise $100,000 for needy patients. The annual Public Health Screening "Screen for Life 2009" will also be held concurrently. Both events will be flagged off by Health Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan.

"The effort and work put in by students in organising the Ride for Hope 2009 and Public Health Screening 2009 is most admirable. It is heartening to note that as future doctors, they have shown keen interest in serving the community and encouraging Singaporeans to lead healthy lifestyles," said Prof John Wong, Dean of YLLSoM and NUHS Deputy Chief Executive.

Medical doctor and neural scientist Dr William Tan, who is also advisor for "Ride for Hope 2009" noted: "From a physician to becoming a patient, it was very enlightening for me to experience not just the disease process and the treatment, but also the financial aspects. The cost of treatment is a big burden." Earlier in April this year, Dr Tan was diagnosed with cancer of the white blood cells or chronic lymphocyctic leukemia. However, this will not deter him from lending a helping hand as he plans to cycle 2 to 5 km of the 80 km route during the event.

Seven public health institutions will benefit from the cycling fund-raising initiative. This includes the National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Alexandra Hospital, Changi General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore.

This year's Public Health Screening is part of the National Day celebrations themed "Come Together - Reaching Out, Reaching Up." Targeting middle-aged individuals and individuals from low to medium income groups, the screening plans to increase public awareness of health issues through the free basic health screening services. Nursing students from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, YLLSoM, will also be on hand to help.

While last year's public health screening at Jurong East, IMM Building attracted some 2,000 people, it is hoped that there could be 3,000 individuals this time round. The screening will be held on 29 and 30 August at Ang Mo Kio Hub, Basement 1, Sunken Plaza. This year's screening will be more comprehensive and there will also be an emphasis on the sharing of precise relevant health information.