Smoking can cost you your leg - Singapore General Hospital

OutramNow May/Jun 08.indd 1 

 

4/28/08 2:47:25 PM 

FREE 

May/Jun 2008 1 

Patients. At the Heart of All We Do. 

A Singapore General Hospital Bi-monthly Publication 

Issue 8 May/June 2008 MICA (P) 028/01/2008 

INSIDE 

Double 

birthday 

bash at 

SGH 

Ageing 

and living 

it up 

Honouring 

medical 

pioneers 

Full bloom 

at SGH 

gardens 

Pg 3 Pg 11 Pg 21 

Pg 23 

Smoking can cost you your leg 

If you are also diabetic, you have higher risks of losing a leg or part of a foot due 

to blocked blood vessels 

Cut & Keep 

General Enquiry 6222 3322 

Accidents & Emergencies 6321 4311 

Admissions 6321 4388 

Billing/ Medisave Enquiry 6321 4322 

Medical Reports 6321 4333 

Medical Social Services 6321 4355 

Outpatient Appointments 6321 4377 

Pharmacy 6321 4366 

International Medical Service 6326 5656 

Quality Service Manager Helpline 1800 223 0118 

SGH website 

www.sgh.com.sg 

Eye surgeon is 

new SGH CEO 

By Karen Teng 

editor@sgh.com.sg 

EVERY day, two people in Singapore 

lose a foot or part of their lower leg – 

not because of accident or trauma – but 

as the result of a blood vessel disease 

affecting the lower leg. 

These individuals either smoke or 

have diabetes. And if they are diabetic 

smokers, their risks of amputations 

go up. 

According to Dr 

Mathew Sebastian 

(photo), a vascular 

surgeon who is 

Senior Consultant 

at the Department 

of General Surgery 

of Singapore General 

Hospital, every year about 800 people go 

through amputations due to a condition 

known as lower limb arterial disease. 

Photo: Karen Teng 

Blood flow in legs affected 

The human body has blood vessels 

performing different functions. Veins 

carry blood to the heart while arteries 

bring blood away from the heart. 

Dr Sebastian says, “Lower limb 

arterial disease is an extremely dangerous 

condition as blood vessels in the legs 

are hardened or blocked. Blood flow 

will be affected, leading to decreased 

sensation and poor circulation. When 

this condition affects the arteries in the 

calf, it’s much more difficult to treat 

than blockages in the upper part of 

the leg.” 

Symptoms include pain or cramps 

in the buttocks, thighs or calves after 

walking a distance. These sensations 

subside after rest but often return with 

further exertion. 

“ 

People who smoke, 

have diabetes or kidney 

failure can be affected 

at a younger age. My 

youngest patient was 

in his mid-30s when he 

underwent a below-theknee 

amputation. 

” 

- Vascular Surgeon Dr Mathew 

Sebastian points out that lower limb 

arterial disease does not just affect 

the elderly 

Injured toe turns ‘black’ 

Dr Sebastian, a specialist in blood 

vessel diseases, says for people with 

the disease, a small wound or ulcer in 

the foot have serious consequences. 

An accidental stub of the toe or a 

kick against a hard surface can lead to 

irreversible damage. 

“The person may not realise there 

is an injury because there is decreased 

sensation in the affected foot. The 

wound can become infected and 

deteriorate very rapidly due to a 

combination of poor blood flow and 

immune suppression. In days or weeks, 

that toe can turn necrotic as the tissues 

begin to die. What he then sees is a 

black toe. This means the tissues are 

dead and that toe is gone. The priority 

will be to save the foot.” 

Smokers who do not have diabetes 

fare better than diabetic smokers but 

only if they give up cigarettes after 

treatment. “For those who smoke, there 

is less rapid progression of the disease. 

Once the blockages are cleared, there is 

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 

Renowned eye specialist Professor Ang 

Chong Lye (photo) is now the Chief 

Executive Officer of Singapore General 

Hospital. 

The 53-year-old gave up his post as 

medical director of Singapore National Eye 

Centre on May 1 and took over the SGH 

role from Prof Tan Ser Kiat, who continues 

to lead SingHealth as its Group CEO. 

Prof Tan, 62, describes his successor as 

a talent with a proven track record, having 

taken the SNEC to a level of international 

repute. 

“I am very confi dent that he will lead 

SGH well in his new era of healthcare and 

pave the way for winning collaborations 

between SGH and the specialty centres 

on Outram Campus as well as the other 

international centres of excellence, to 

fi rmly establish SGH as a world-class 

tertiary hospital committed to academic 

medicine. I am passing SGH to very good 

hands.” 

On his new appointment, Prof Ang says, 

“With the changing landscape in healthcare, 

and the alignment of public policies to 

meet the needs of an ageing population, 

I’m excited by the opportunities to rethink 

patient care delivery in SGH and on Outram 

Campus. The priority is in how patients can 

benefi t from greater integration of clinical 

services.” 

Taking over the helm at SNEC is Professor 

Donald Tan, who was the Centre’s deputy 

director since 1997.


4/25/08 3:43:34 PM 

2 

May/Jun 2008 

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 

very good chance of saving the legs. But 

the patient will have to stop smoking.” 

Diabetics face second amputation 

For people who do not smoke but have 

diabetes, the outcome of an amputation 

can affect their lives drastically. This 

is especially if he is elderly with other 

medical problems such as hypertension 

and high cholesterol, warns Dr 

Sebastian. 

His life and leg saved in the nick of time 

A retired businessman is up and about again after undergoing double bypass 

surgeries for blocked arteries in his heart and right leg 

By Leong Wai Kit and Karen Teng 

Photo: Karen Teng 

“About half these patients would 

be wheelchair bound. Fifteen percent 

would be confined to their homes. Once 

there is a major amputation in one leg, 

With a habit of 30 sticks of cigarettes a 

day for half a century, Seow Duke was 

living dangerously and primed for major 

medical problems. Fortunately a wakeup 

call came two years ago before the 

inevitable happened. 

“Whenever I walked, I felt as if many 

needles were poking at my right heel. 

The pain would come on and off and I 

endured it for months. When it became 

so bad that I couldn’t sleep, I went to 

see a polyclinic doctor. He immediately 

referred me to Singapore General 

Hospital.” 

Blocked arteries due to smoking 

After blood tests and a CT Scan, 

SGH doctors delivered grim news – the 

arteries in Mr Seow’s heart and right 

lower leg were blocked. 

The 70-year-old recalls, “The oxygen 

level in my body was below that of other 

people. The scan showed that the blood 

vessels in my whole body were ‘choked’. 

10 to 15 percent of them will lose the 

other leg within a year. But even with a 

second amputation, they may die within 

that year because they can’t move around. 

Many of these patients also suffer from 

serious heart diseases which contribute 

to the high mortality rate.” 

Leg bypass surgery and angioplasty 

There are treatment options for 

blocked blood vessels in the legs which 

are similar to that for clogged arteries 

in the heart. Depending on their 

condition, patients who have lower limb 

arterial disease undergo a leg bypass 

surgery or a balloon angioplasty. 

In a leg bypass surgery, the substitute 

blood vessel is usually taken from the 

same leg or the other leg. This blood 

vessel taken is the superficial vein which 

is then used to reconstruct the diseased 

artery. Size of a leg bypass wound 

depends on the operated area. 

A less invasive procedure is the 

balloon angioplasty which involves 

inflating a blocked artery using a 

balloon catheter. The patient’s foot is 

left with a 2mm puncture wound where 

the catheter was inserted. 

All smiles for Seow Duke as he is agile 

again to resume his favourite pastime of 

window shopping at VivoCity. 

I was shocked because up until then, I didn’t 

have any health problems such as diabetes, 

high cholesterol or high blood pressure. They 

said my condition was caused by smoking.” 

Dr Sebastian says a detailed 

assessment of the patient’s condition 

will help doctors decide which method 

will give him the best outcome. In 

the past three years, surgeons and 

radiologists in the SGH vascular and 

interventional team have treated some 

700 patients using balloon angioplasty. 

Bypass surgeries are for patients whose 

angioplasties were not successful. “We 

managed to save about 80 percent of 

their legs.” 

More cases expected 

Unfortunately, many people with 

lower limb arterial disease do not see a 

doctor until it is too late. 

“The number of people who come 

to us with gangrene at their lower 

limbs is rising at a frightening rate. If 

these patients come to us at an earlier 

stage, the outcome would be better. In 

the next 10 years, due to the ageing 

population and the rise in the number 

of diabetics, we will have an explosion 

in the number of such patients as baby 

boomers hit their 60s.” 

Dr Sebastian cites possible reasons for 

the delay in seeking treatment. “Maybe 

Two operations in four months 

Declared unfit for surgery, Mr Seow 

was hospitalised for three weeks before he 

was well enough to undergo a triple heart 

bypass in November 2006. Heart surgeons 

took three blood vessels from Mr Seow’s 

unaffected left leg and grafted them over the 

blocked arteries in his heart to save his life. 

In February last year, Mr Seow was back 

in the operating theatre – this time, for a 

leg bypass surgery. A superfi cial vein was 

taken from his right thigh and used to 

reconstruct the blocked arteries to save 

his right lower leg. 

Fortunately, Mr Seow did not have major 

problems with his wounds. “I am lucky I 

don’t have diabetes. If not, my leg would be 

amputated!” 

No more sleepless nights 

A prolonged recovery period followed 

but Mr Seow progressed well enough to 

resume his daily weekday routine: morning 

walks alone to a market near his home 

it’s a person’s mindset or he is not aware 

of the consequences. Or it could be a 

cultural thing. Older people may think 

their leg pain is due to ageing. Some 

diabetics could also be in denial about 

the risk of amputation.” 

Early screening as prevention 

Dr Sebastian 

is pleased that 

at the primary 

healthcare 

level, there is 

now increasing 

awareness of 

lower limb 

arterial disease. 

SGH fi le photo 

“Many people 

are being screened for loss of sensation, 

poor pulse in the foot, leg ulcers and 

other symptoms that may lead to toe 

and foot damage.” 

He urges those at risk to do their 

bit by detecting potential problems 

early and if they have any injuries, 

take good care of their wounds. 

“If the affected individual comes in 

early for treatment, the outcome will 

be better.” 

“ I am lucky I don’t have 

diabetes. If not, my leg 

would be amputated!” 

- Seow Duke who recovered fully 

from his leg bypass surgery 

followed by afternoon jaunts to VivoCity 

with his wife of 46 years. The couple 

has four grown-up children and four 

grandchildren. 

“Although I cannot run, I am happy 

that I can now walk without pain. Now 

I’m also able to sleep better at night.” 

Having survived his double health 

scare, Mr Seow has opted for organic 

food as well as cut down on fatty meat, 

salty and overly sweet food. His only 

weakness? 

“Honestly, quitting smoking is very 

hard for me. I tried but not successful. 

So I’ve cut down to just five sticks a day. 

And I don’t suck in the smoke.” 

The retired businessman is grateful 

to be alive. “I’m very thankful that my 

doctors have given me a second chance 

to live. Without them, I would have 

been fi nished.” 

PUBLISHER 

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Singapore 169608 

Tel 6222 3322 Fax 6222 1720 

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For editorial content, email: 


SGH CONTENT ADVISORS 

Tan-Huang Shuo Mei 

Director, Communications & Service Quality (SGH) 

Director, Corporate Communications 

(Singapore Health Services) 

Casey Chang 

Deputy Director, Communications 

SGH EDITOR 

Karen Teng 

Senior Executive, Communications 

SGH CLINICAL ADVISORS 

Associate Professor Low Wong Kein 

Dr Fatimah Lateef 

Dr Mathew Sebastian 

Dr Yu Su Ling


4/25/08 3:43:58 PM 


Double celebrations at SGH 

SGH’s newspaper, OutramNow turns one in same month the flagship hospital marks 187 th year of service 



Taking to the stage for the double birthday celebrations are (from left) Nursing Director of 

Outram Campus Lim Swee Hia, SGH Chairman of Medical Board Professor Ng Han Seong, 

SingHealth Group CEO Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Guest-of-Honour Minister of State, Ministry of 

Community Development, Youth & Sports Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, SingHealth DCEO Mrs Karen 

Koh and SGH Chief Operating Offi cer Foo Hee Jug. 

THE month of March ended with a big 

bang for Singapore General Hospital as 

Singapore’s oldest hospital celebrated 

187 th anniversary as well as the first 

birthday of its newspaper OutramNow. 

The hospital held a two-day health fair 

to commemorate the dual milestones. 

The event titled ‘Health Fix: Fit, Fab 

& Fun’ was held on the last weekend in 

March at the SGH Fountain Garden 

next to Block 7. A panel of experts gave 

talks on topics related to active ageing, 

women’s health, colon disease and 

weight management. The aim was to 

help Singaporeans take charge of their 

health. 

Gracing the occasion during the 

launch was Guest-of-Honour, Mrs 

Yu-Foo Yee Shoon who is Minister of 

State for the Ministry of Community 

Development, Youth & Sports. 

This senior citizen was among the scores of Singaporeans who were 

personally welcomed to the SGH health fair by Mrs Yu-Foo. 

effective means of engaging and 

educating patients on health issues. 

With an ageing population, and 

with medical conditions increasingly 

becoming more complex, we need 

to give Singaporeans more than just 

knowledge on how to keep healthy and 

avoid various diseases. Singaporeans 

need also to know how to interact with 

their doctors, nurses, pharmacists and 

other healthcare service providers.” 

The Minister of State also commended 

SGH’s decision to produce its own bimonthly 

newspaper, which is aimed at 

empowering patients to make better 

healthcare decisions. An OutramNow 

reader herself, Mrs Yu-Foo says, “I’m 

very happy with this newspaper because 

there’re many new things I’ve learnt 

from reading it. I hope that the paper 

can be translated into various languages 

to reach out to even more readers.” 

Hundreds turned up for free checks 

Another highlight of the celebrations 

was free health screenings aimed 

at increasing public awareness on 

several common conditions affecting 

the population. 

Hundreds turned 

up for free falls risk 

assessments, blood 

pressure and glucose 

checks as well as 

bone mass density 

tests. 

The two-day 

health fair got 

the thumbs up 

from participants 

which included 

former patients 

and regular readers 

of OutramNow. 

Among them – Ms 

Goh Siew Tee who took time off work 

to join in the various activities. “It was 

a very well organised health fair. I had 

the opportunity to hear (SingHealth 

Group CEO) Professor Tan Ser Kiat 

deliver the opening address. It was very 

good. I look forward to more of such 

activities.” 

Echoing her views is a 64-year-old 

Talks were held concurrently to educate the 

public on the importance of staying fi t and 

fabulous while still having fun. 

who only wants to be known as Madam 

Lim. “I’ve been looking forward to 

this fair after reading about it from the 

newspapers.” The Ghim Moh resident 

says she feels “honoured to be part 

of Si Pai Por’s birthday celebrations.” 

The Hokkien term is an affectionate 

reference to SGH and commonly used 

by the older generation. 

Associate Consultant in the Department 

of Colorectal Surgery Dr Koh Poh Koon 

demonstrating how the laparoscopic 

stimulator works. 

Regular 

OutramNow 

reader Mr Tan 

says, “I like the 

newspaper 

for its medical 

information 

and interesting 

features.” 

A trio of Flamenco dancers provided a 

rousing start to the SGH double birthday bash. 

Thumbs up for OutramNow 

Mrs Yu-Foo praised the Hospital 

for its ongoing community outreach 

programmes. 

“SGH’s publications such as 

OutramNow and this health fair are 

The health fair provided a free opportunity 

for elderly Singaporeans to check their 

blood glucose and blood pressure. 

The health screening stations for blood 

pressure and glucose checks as well as 

bone mass density tests attracted long 

queues. 

The SGH 

health fair 

kept everyone 

in this family 

occupied 

including 

junior who 

received an 

OutramNow 

balloon. 

Results of Grand Lucky Draw for SGH Health Fix – Fit, Fab & Fun health fair on March 28 & 29. 

The following are winners drawn from entries submitted on both days. 

1 st Prize x 5: Canvas Seat Cane worth $112 each 

Mohinder Kaur • Tan Gay Keow • Liong Toy Tjoe • Leong Mei Ee • Oh Cho Huat Jackson 

2 nd Prize x 5: Folding Seat Cane worth $36 & Lifebuoy hamper worth $28 each 

Fong May Kuen • June Gay • Ong Siew Har • Chuang Li Chuan • Leong Soo Chan 

3 rd Prize x 5: Spine Ease Pillow worth $55 each 

Chee Kiok Lee • Rosalind Toh • Loke Hoe Yee • Ng Tuan Hien • Khoo Swee Tin 

Consolation Prize x 10: Gym in a Pocket worth $39 each 

Chua Choon Kiat • Teo Lye Tee • Sim Kwai Hoi • Lau Ming Ling • Lien Fain Sze • Foong Yu Xuan 

• Chan Wai Fong • Lim Khim Meng • Cha Ah Mei • Dharam bin Sharma


4/28/08 9:38:15 AM 

4 

May/Jun 2008 

HealthBits 

Good night, sleep tight 

If you can’t sleep well, is it because of problems 

with people? For your own peace of mind, take 

time to “nurture positive relationships with 

family, friends and the community”, says the 

Health Promotion Board. 

“It is easy to overlook the state of key 

relationships. But, they are an important 

component of mental well-being,” says Mr 

Lam Pin Woon, CEO of HPB. A year-long 

Mind Your Relationships programme has been 

launched to show that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being. 

Part of this is the release of 12 ZoCards, each offering a fun tip on positive 

relationships. Collect the free cards at ZoCard stands which will come up the island 

from now till March 2009. For details, go to www.hpb.org.sg. 

Hair now, gone tomorrow 

Whoever described hair as our crowning glory probably had a full head of hair. 

Hair loss is such a prevalent problem today that even teenagers are not spared. 

Reasons for hair loss are aplenty – from hormonal imbalances to stress and 

genes. 

Another key reason is the lack of oxygen to hair follicles because of poor 

circulation. The scalp, like any other part of the body, needs a good supply of oxygen 

to be able to grow healthy hair follicles. That’s why part of the treatment for hair 

growth at popular salons is a good massage for circulation 

and even oxygen therapy where oxygen is pumped over the 

scalp. 

Include the vitamin biotin, copper, iron, zinc and protein 

in your diet too. Fish oils, eggs and green leafy vegetables 

are rich in these nutrients, says www.familydoctor.org.sg. 

Sweetener from corn 

In the 1970s, food scientists found a new 

sweetener that was cheaper to produce 

than cane sugar. But high-fructose cane 

sugar (HFCS) has come under scrutiny 

for being a possible cause of obesity 

among Americans. 

HFCS is processed from corn syrup 

with the use of enzymes to increase 

fructose content. A whole range of food 

products from tomato ketchup to soft 

drinks, from cookies to breads are made 

with HFCS. 

A report from the Center for Food, 

Nutrition and Agriculture Policy 

Workshop in the U.S has however 

declared that “there is currently no 

convincing evidence to support a link 

between HFCS consumption and 

overweight/obesity”. Despite this some 

manufacturers have switched to natural 

sweeteners to avoid the controversy. 

More diabetics have kidney failure 

30 th June 2008. 

About nine out of 100 Singaporeans, or 

9 per cent of the population, are diabetic. 

Diabetics suffer from a host of health 

issues because they cannot produce 

insulin to control blood sugar. Among 

other debilitating conditions, this puts 

them at high risk of kidney failure. 

The number of diabetics who suffered 

from End Stage Renal Disease due to 

diabetes increased from 39 per cent 

in 1997 to about 60 per cent in 2006. 

The figures were released by the Health 

Promotion Board this year to highlight 

the extent of the problem.


4/25/08 4:23:17 PM 

Damage to hearing can be permanent 

Hearing loss may be irreversible but its impact can be minimised with early 

detection and treatment 

By Hazel Yong and Karen Teng 


YOU MAY think that it is cool to 

listen to the latest Top 40 tunes with 

your earphones on an MP3 player, 

especially with blasting volume. But 

Associate Professor Low Wong Kein, 

Senior Consultant at the Department of 

Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) 

of Singapore General Hospital warns 

that such habits can harm your hearing. 

Professor Low (photo) who is 

Director of the SGH 

Centre for Hearing 

and Ear Implants says, 

“Everyone is born 

with a fixed number of 

hair cells in their ears. 

Loud noise exposure 

and especially over a 

prolonged period, can damage these cells 

and result in permanent hearing loss.” 

There are four degrees of hearing loss: 

mild, moderate, severe and profound. 

Professor Low says an estimated eight 

to nine per cent of the adult population 

suffers from hearing impairment due 

to factors such as old age, ear infection, 

exposure to loud noise or from the side 

effects of certain medicines. 

“In the past, old age-related hearing 

loss often only manifest after 70 to 80 

years of age. Because of more excessive 

loud noise exposure from leisure activities, 

the younger generation may experience 

hearing loss earlier, at say age 50 to 60. 

Hearing loss is frequently a gradual 

process. It doesn’t happen overnight 

unless it was an overly severe exposure. 

An affected person generally does not 

consult a doctor unless his hearing loss 

becomes disabling.” 

Better outcome with early detection 

In children, Professor Low notes that 

about five in 1,000 children are born 

with hearing impairment, with at least 

one suffering from severe to profound 

hearing loss. “They should be diagnosed 

by three months of age and treated by 

six months for optimal speech, language 

and psychosocial development.” 

For the past several years, all babies 

born at SGH have been screened for 

hearing problems before discharge from 

hospital. The child undergoes a five 

to 10-minute Otoacoustic Emission 

testing, which involves placing a probe at 

his ear to measure his responses to the 

sounds applied. 

“It is just a screening test which 

detects possible hearing loss 

in a baby. More detailed 

diagnostic tests will be done 

if he fails repeatedly. It is 

important to detect and treat 

hearing loss early because of 

brain plasticity. The brain loses 

its ability to learn and adapt 

after a certain age.” 

Damage cannot be undone 

Hearing impairment as a 

result of damaged inner ear hair cells, is 

permanent. The affected person will have 

to learn how to cope with his disability 

using external gadgets like hearing aids. 

The devices amplify the sounds heard. 

Available in analogue or digital versions, 

the hearing aid can be placed in the ear 

canal, outer ear and worn behind the ear. 

Professor Low says if both ears are 

affected, the use of hearing aids in both 

sides is preferred to just using it in one ear. 

Besides amplifying sounds, the hearing 

aids work together to further improve 

sound clarity in a noisy environment. 

However, people with severe to profound 

hearing loss may still find hearing aids 

inadequate. These individuals may benefit 

from cochlear implants. 

Cochlear implant for selected patients 

Using cochlear implant involves 

surgically putting a tiny electronic 

hearing device in the patient’s inner ear, 

or what’s known medically as cochlear. 

He explains, “A cochlear implant 

bypasses damaged hair cells in the 

cochlear to directly stimulate the hearing 

nerve. This implant is placed in the inner 

ear during a two-hour surgery. We will 

remove part of the ear bone and place 

the electrode array of the implant into 

the cochlear lumen. The skin wound is 

stitched over the body of the implant 

which is about the size of a 50-cent coin. 

When the wound has healed about 

two weeks later, we connect an external 


piece over the body of the implant using 

a magnet. This external piece acts as a 

sound transmitter (photo). Repeated 

programming of the speech processor 

have to be made and may take up to 


six months before optimum hearing is 

achieved.” 

9-month-old was youngest patient 

Professor Low pioneered paediatric 

cochlear implant surgery in Singapore 

in 1998. He has since performed 310 

cochlear implant surgeries in adults 

and children. His youngest patient was 

a nine-month-old girl with profound 

hearing loss. 

“In the past, patients used to describe 

the sounds heard with a cochlear 

implant as that of ‘Donald Duck’-like or 

‘metallic’ in nature. With technological 

improvements in recent years, the sounds 

heard are more natural nowadays. Surgical 


risks of cochlear implantation are low in 

experienced hands. Post-implant, patient 

satisfaction rates are often more than 70 

to 80 per cent.” 

A detailed assessment will have to 

be done to determine the patient’s 

suitability for a cochlear implant. “Mild 

to moderate hearing loss can be managed 

well with hearing aids and surgeries are 

unnecessary.” 

Holistic rehabilitation programme 

Patients who have been fitted with 

hearing aids or cochlear implants, need 

to undergo a rehabilitation programme. 

To help children develop speech and 

language skills, the SGH Centre for 

Hearing and Ear Implants introduced 

the ‘Listen and Talk Programme’, 

which uses an auditory-verbal approach 

as rehabilitation. Parents are roped 

in during therapy sessions held in a 

simulated home environment. 

Professor Low shares, “Our 

multidisciplinary team including the 

ENT specialist, audiologist, psychologist 

and medical social worker, manages the 

patient in a holistic manner. The ultimate 

aim is for the individual to successfully 

integrate into mainstream society.” 

Unique to the Centre is also an 

interactive exhibition area designed by 

Professor Low and his team, to provide 

‘reverse education therapy’ for the public. 

Interactive exhibits provide patients’ 

parents and the public first-hand 

experiences on the kinds of sounds heard 

by a hearing-impaired individual beforeand-after 

the use of hearing devices. 

Professor Low explains, “Half 

of the problems faced by hearingimpaired 

individuals arise from a lack of 

understanding from the people around 

them. If these people experience what 

the hearing-impaired actually hears 

and go through, they will be able to 

understand the hearing-impaired better 

and appreciate their needs.” 

The SGH Centre for Hearing and Ear 

Implants will hold a public forum titled 

‘Why is my child not speaking well’ at the 

Postgraduate Medical Institute on May 24 

between 2 to 5 pm. For more details, call 

6326 6872 or turn to page 23. 

Life’s almost normal with hearing aids 

With British-Indonesian parentage, Sarah 

Inglis (photo with dad Tom) is a Pan-Asian 

sweetheart. You’ll never know the vivacious 

12-year-old has a hearing problem until 

she fl ips back her long hair to reveal two 

transparent plastic gadgets attached to the 

back of her ears. 

Sarah was born with progressive hearing 

loss which was undetected until age four. 

Her teacher at Tanglin Trust international 

school noticed her trying to lip-read and 

was unresponsive when she was called. 

She lip-read at age 4 

Her father Tom recalls, “The basic 

hearing tests Sarah had as a toddler did not 

detect her problem. She was a very slow 

speaker but we attributed that to her being 

an only child, and being brought up to be 

bilingual in both Bahasa Indonesia and English. 

When she was with her mother or me, Sarah 

would hold our face to look at her. We didn’t 

realise she was focused on lip-reading.” 

An ENT specialist diagnosed Sarah with 

mild to profound hearing loss in the right ear, 

and severe to profound hearing loss in the left. 

The cause of her condition is not known. At 

the tender age of four, Sarah was fitted with 

hearing aids. She underwent SGH’s Listen and 

Talk auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) sessions 

to improve her listening and speaking skills as 

well as equip her parents to help her cope 

better at home. 

Tom shares, “The AVT got us listening more 

closely to her. Her hearing is weak at higher 

frequencies so she had difficulty with consonants 

and also drops ‘T’, ‘D’ and ‘S’ from words. She 

would lapse into lip-reading occasionally so 

we’ll cover 

our mouths 

while talking 

to train her 

to use the 

hearing aids.” 

Growing 

up like her 

peers 

In the past eight years, Sarah has been able 

to live an almost normal life. “I used to play 

the piano until grade 3. I also swim. Once 

I jumped into the pool with my hearing aids 

because I forgot I had them!” 

In school, minimal special arrangements 

were made. “My teacher wears a microphone 

so that her voice can be picked up by my 

hearing aids. I never sit at the back of my class. 

But I am happy as I attend a normal school, 

have normal friends and can enjoy music.” 

The prepubescent schoolgirl has a single 

wish. “I hope hearing aids will become 

smaller or invisible as I am now getting selfconscious 

about my looks.” 

Coping well without surgery 

On her progress, ENT senior consultant 

Professor Low Wong Kein says, “Sarah’s 

hearing was deteriorating when she fi rst 

came to SGH seven years ago but it has 

stabilised. Currently she’s doing very well 

and doesn’t need a cochlear implant. But 

cochlear implantation will be considered if 

her hearing gets worse.” 

The Inglis family is happy with Sarah’s 

accomplishments thus far. Tom says, 

“There is no need for surgery when she’s 

coping well with hearing aids. The fact that 

Sarah is integrated normally into society is 

testament to the support we’ve had from 

SGH over the past seven years.”


4/25/08 3:44:59 PM 

6 

May/Jun 2008 

Are you treating your eyes right? 

Our eyes contribute about 80 per cent of total sensory input to our 

brains as compared to hearing, touch, smell and taste. Without 

sight, we can’t see the world around us, much less be able to work. 

However, lack of care means about half of Singapore children 

develop myopia by age 12 while older folks are at risk of getting 

cataracts and macular degeneration. Here’s what can go wrong 

with your peepers. 

Vision woes 

Myopia 

What: Also called short-sightedness, a 

myopic person sees near objects clearly 

but not distant objects. This occurs as 

the eyeball is slightly longer so light rays 

are focused in front of (instead of on) 

the retina. Possible causes include genes 

and environmental factors. 

It can lead to: Blindness, resulting from 

complications like retinal detachment, 

macular degeneration, cataract 

formation and glaucoma. Macular 

degeneration refers to the gradual loss 

of central vision. 

Hyperopia 

What: Long-sightedness arising from 

shorter eyeballs, where light is focused 

behind the retina. Those affected can 

see distant objects more clearly than 

close ones. 

It can lead to: Headaches, fatigue and 

eyestrain, and difficulty handling tasks 

like reading. 

Presbyopia 

What: Old-age vision, where the 

focusing mechanism of the eye declines 

gradually due to the thickening of the 

eye lens and weakening of eye muscles. 

This affects the ability to look at near 

objects clearly as images are focused 

behind the retina instead of on it. The 

condition starts becoming apparent 

after the age of about 40. 

It can lead to: Blurred vision especially 

in dim light, headaches and eyestrain. 

Astigmatism 

What: Distorted vision at any 

distance, caused by uneven curvature 

of the cornea. The astigmatic eye is 

shaped like a longish football and 

light is unable to focus on a single 

focal point. The condition can be 

hereditary and worsen with age. 

It can lead to: Difficulty handling 

tasks like reading small print or bus 

numbers without squinting. This can 

cause headaches, fatigue and eyestrain. 

By Hazel Yong 

Common eye conditions 

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) 

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, 

which is the mucous membrane lining 

the inside of the eyelid and surface of 

the eyeball. The eye will turn red, itch, 

swell, tear more and produce discharge. 

It is usually caused by bacterial, viral 

or allergic agents. The washing of 

hands frequently with soap and not 

touching the eyes can reduce chances of 

contracting conjunctivitis. 

Bacterial conjunctivitis is caused 

by bacteria such as staphylococci and 

streptococci. They may be found on the 

person’s skin or upper respiratory tract. 

Viral conjunctivitis is due to viruses 

that spread from colds, sore throats and 

respiratory infections. 

Dry eye 

A thin, liquid layer called the tear film 

covers the eye to help stabilise vision 

as well as fend off dust and infections. 

The dry eye syndrome occurs when tear 

production is inadequate due to factors 

like aging, medication side effects and 

hormonal changes. Visually taxing 

activities like watching TV or staring 

at computer screens can also lead to the 

person blinking less frequently, causing 

tears to evaporate before the body 

replaces them. The wearing of contact 

lenses for long hours, exposure to dusty 

air or fumes can also irritate the eyes. 

Ways to prevent dry eye syndrome 

include the use of eye drops to 

supplement natural tear production, 

drinking plenty of water for hydration, 

and taking frequent breaks while 

engaging in eye straining activities. 

Nutritive foods containing vitamins A, 

C, E or omega-3 may also help along 

with having adequate sleep. 

Floaters 

Floaters look like cobwebs or specks 

that appear in your field of vision. They 

move as your eyes dart around and 

can be seen when one looks at a plain 

background such as the sky. Floaters 

occur when the vitreous gel that fills 

the eye cavity degenerates. It usually 

develops as we age and are common 

among myopic individuals, diabetics 

or those who have undergone cataract 

operations. The sudden appearance of 

many floaters along with light flashes 

indicates eye injuries like retinal 

detachment. This requires speedy 

treatment as it may lead to blindness. 

Cataract 

Common among the elderly, a 

cataract forms when the eye lens turns 

cloudy due to ageing. Other risk factors 

include prolonged UV light exposure, 

injury, smoking, long-term medication 

use such as steroids as well as systemic 

illnesses like diabetes. Congenital 

cataracts can also be present at birth. A 

person with cataracts will have blurry 

vision which cannot be corrected with 

glasses or contact lenses. Colours seem 

dull and haloes can form around bright 

light. Surgery is needed to remove the 

cataract if it prevents an individual 

from carrying out his daily activities. 

One of the procedures is called 

phacoemulsification, where a small 

incision is made on the cornea for the 

insertion of a tiny eye probe. The device 

softens the cataract for suction removal 

before surgeons implant an artificial 

lens. 

Glaucoma 

This eye disease accounts for 40 per 

cent of blindness in Singapore. It occurs 

when normal fluid pressure within 

the eyeball rises due to a productiondrainage 

imbalance. The increased 

pressure damages the optic nerve, 

causing vision loss. There are several 

types of glaucoma with open-angle 

glaucoma being the most common. 

Open-angle glaucoma progresses slowly 

and has no symptoms in the early stages. 

Over time however, the individual may 

experience failing side or night vision 

and eventually blindness. There is no 

cure for glaucoma yet but it can be 

controlled by medication, laser therapy 

or surgery. 

Eye care tips 

• Take breaks after 30 to 40 minutes of near-sighted work such as using the computer, 

reading or doing handicraft. Spend three to five minutes looking at distant objects or 

closing the eyes. 

• Maintain a 30cm distance between the eyes and the book while reading. Read in a 

bright environment. Do not read lying in bed as you may move the book closer and 

closer to the eyes or block ceiling lights. 

• Maintain a 50cm distance between the eyes and the computer screen. Use anti-glare 

screens and adjust monitor placement to eliminate screen reflections from other light 

sources in the room. Computer screen should be slightly below eye level. 

• Watch television with room light on and sit at least two metres away from the TV 

screen. Adjust TV height to eye level or slightly below that. 

• Go for an eye checkup at least once a year. 

Contact lens care 

Contact lenses are increasingly used by the appearance-conscious, for sporting activities 

and those who dislike spectacle marks or pressure on their nose bridges. Like glasses, 

contact lenses help correct vision effectively when worn properly: 

• Wash hands with soap. Make sure there are no residual suds and dry hands with a 

clean towel before handling contact lens. 

• Do not wear contact lenses beyond the period recommended by your eye care 

practitioner. 

• Clean both sides of the contact lenses by rubbing gently between your finger and 

palm. Always use sterile saline solution for cleaning instead of tap or drinking water. 

• Store lenses in a clean case with fresh storage solution. Replace the case every six 

months. 

• Use lens cleaners and eye drops as recommended by your eye care practitioner. 

• Do not sleep with lenses overnight to avoid eye infections unless they are designed 

for extended wear. 

• Do not wear contact lenses if you develop an eye infection. Throw contaminated 

contact lenses away as reusing them will allow the infection to persist. 

• See an eye doctor if your vision changes or when your eyes turn red and hurt.


4/25/08 3:45:12 PM 


Exercise & 

keep fit 

Step out, try new things 

& be an Active Ager! 

Active Ageing is about staying 

engaged with friends, family 

and society, and doing the 

things you find fun and 

meaningful. 

Take up a 

hobby 

Make 

new friends 

Volunteer your 

time & skills 

Go back to 

school 

COUNCIL FOR THIRD AGE 9 Bishan Place #10-01 Junction 8 (Office Tower) Singapore 579837 

Tel: (65) 635 80 333 Fax: (65) 6258 7603 Email: c3a@c3a.org.sg 

www.c3a.org.sg


4/25/08 3:45:19 PM 

8 

May/Jun 2008 

Stub out 

World No Tobacco Day on May 31 is significant 

as 1.3 billion people smoke. The World Health 

Organisation estimates that tobacco kills one person 

every 10 seconds and expects it to be the leading 

cause of death and disability by 2020. 

THE situation in Singapore is no less 

dire. Besides cancer, smoking is also a 

major risk factor for coronary heart 

disease, stroke and chronic obstructive 

pulmonary disease. Such tobaccorelated 

diseases accounted for close to 

two-thirds of all deaths here in the year 

2000. On average, it claims about seven 

lives daily. 

Addicted to nicotine 

Nicotine is the chemical in cigarettes 

that causes the smoking addiction. 

Derived from the tobacco plant, it 

causes a temporary increase in heart 

rate, blood pressure and feelings of 

relaxation or euphoria. When an 

addicted person tries to stop smoking, 

he will experience emotional, mental 

or physical reactions such as irritability, 

headaches, constipation and insomnia. 

A local survey by an independent 

research agency late last year on 200 

smokers showed 62 per cent of them 

consider themselves addicted to nicotine. 

Some 49 per cent of them who failed 

to quit blamed their psychological 

dependence on smoking while 25 per cent 

claim physical dependence. However, 

one in three expressed their intention to 

quit, with the happiness of their family 

members being the primary motivating 

factor. 

Harmful smoking effects 

Skin: The nicotine and other 

Pacific Healthcare Nursing Home(Bukit Merah) 

6 Lengkok Bahru Singapore 159051 

21 Senja Road Singapore 677736 

Tel: 6272 3133 

www.pachealthnursing.com 

chemicals in a cigarette jump starts the 

process of premature ageing, leading 

to a ‘smoker’s face’ – severe facial skin 

wrinkling. 

Lungs: Smokers are 22 times more 

likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers. 

Heart and circulatory system: 

Smoking increases heart rate and 

reduces circulation by narrowing the 

blood vessels. This may cause heart 

attacks and strokes. Smoking-related 

cardiovascular diseases kill over 600,000 

people yearly in developed countries. 

Limbs: Smoking is closely associated 

with Buerger’s disease, believed to be 

an autoimmune condition where clots 

may form in the inflamed blood vessels 

of the legs or arms. The reduction in 

blood flow can lead to gangrene and 

amputations. 

Cancers: Besides lung cancer, 

smoking also increases the risks of 

Time 

after 

quitting 

24 hours 

48 hours 

72 hours 

1 month 

3 months 

1 year 

10 years 

15 years 

Get help 

Health benefits 

Carbon monoxide is eliminated 

from the body. Lungs are clearing 

out mucus and chance of a heart 

attack decreases. 

Body rids itself of nicotine. Sense 

of taste and smell improves. 

Breathing becomes easier as 

bronchial tubes relax. 

Blood circulation improves and 

lung function increases. 

Coughing and wheezing 

decreases as lung function 

increases by 30 per cent. The 

individual feels more energetic. 

Excess coronary heart disease 

risk falls to about half of a 

smoker’s. 

Risks of lung and mouth cancer 

are reduced by half of a smoker’s. 

Risk or heart attack and stroke 

fall to the same level as a nonsmoker’s. 

cervical and breast cancer as well as 

cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach 

and bladder. 

Osteoporosis: Women who smoke 

are 50 per cent more likely to suffer 

from brittle bones than non-smokers. 

Reproductive ability and children: 

Smoking can deform or lower sperm 

count, besides reducing blood flow to 

the penis. Less oxygen and nutrition 

reaches the developing baby, leading 

to increased risks of miscarriage and 

stillborn babies. There is also a higher 

chance of encountering Sudden Infant 

Death Syndrome. 

Estimated 

savings 

(based on 

one pack a 

day intake) 

Non-nicotine agent 

Smokers have an extra option to help wean them off their nicotine addiction. Called 

Champix (varenicline), the non-nicotine agent was recently launched in Singapore by 

pharmaceutical fi rm Pfi zer. The drug binds itself to the nicotinic receptor in the brain 

to reduce the pleasurable feeling attained from smoking. This helps reduce craving 

and withdrawal symptoms and intended to be used in combination with quit-smoking 

education and counseling. 

$11 

$22 

$33 

$330 

$990 

$3,960 

$39,600 

$59,400 

Alternative 

purchases for 

the family 

Box of chocolates for 

the family. 

Weekend movie for two, 

with a cup of corn to share. 

A new polo shirt or 

toys for the kids. 

A massage-facial spa 

treat for two. 

Branded wallet to show 

off your new wealth. 

Family vacation to 

neighbouring countries. 

Buy a car. 

Down payment for a 

condo. 

Quitline 

Tel: 1800 438 2000 

Nurses trained in smoking cessation methods can design personal quit-smoking plans 

and arrange for follow-ups. Service is available in four offi cial languages. 

Quit Smoking Services 

SGH, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 

Appointment tel: 6321-4377 

The smoking cessation programme here includes behavioural therapy, pharmacologic 

intervention and relapse prevention. Quit smoking services or counselling are also 

available at polyclinics and major pharmacies including Unity NTUC Healthcare 

(eg. Punggol Plaza outlet, tel: 6343-8336). 

Quit4Life 

www.hpb.gov.sg/quit4life 

Features a six-session online quit plan with various quitting strategies, progress checks 

and tips to prevent relapses. Do this at your own pace. There are also inspirational 

stories to read, links to other stop-smoking websites and interactive games. 

Fresh Air For Women 

www.getfresh.com.sg 

Provides tips and articles about the harmful effects of smoking. Also includes personal 

accounts or viewpoints by FAFW ambassadors such as personalities like Mindy Ong, 

Jamie Yeo and Xiaxue. 

Pacific Health.indd 1 

4/24/08 6:47:13 PM


4/25/08 3:45:33 PM 

More than just 

weight-loss issues 



DIETITIANS are a misunderstood 

lot, according to Kala Adaikan (photo) 

of the Singapore General Hospital’s 

Dietetics and Nutrition Services 

Department. “People usually associate 

us with weight reduction, or think we 

work in the kitchen all day. Not many 

know that we are trained to work with 

patients suffering from various medical 

conditions.” 

NewsInBrief 

By Karen Teng 


SGH is patients’ choice again 

Singapore General Hospital has been ranked second in a survey of patient 

satisfaction conducted by the Ministry of Health. 

A total of 7,320 patients were interviewed face-to-face and by phone. Three 

in 4 said they were satisfied with services provided at SGH. 

Compared to 2006, the latest result is an improvement of 11 percent. 

SingHealth to provide medical support for Singapore’s F1 race 

Singapore’s largest healthcare cluster, SingHealth, has been appointed to 

provide medical support for the inaugural Formula One Singapore Grand 

Prix to be held this September. 

Singapore General Hospital is the lead hospital designated to receive all 

race casualties, if any. 

The various institutions under SingHealth have formed medical support 

teams for the on-site Track Medical Centre. They will be trained in extrication 

techniques and other necessary medical support requirements by FIA, the 

international governing body for motor racing events. 

Seeing to patients’ dietary needs 

Hospital-based dietitians like 

Kala often work side-by-side with 

a multidisciplinary team to deliver 

patient care. “We are consulted 

upon to oversee the dietary needs of 

patients across various disciplines. 

It is our responsibility to ensure 

patients get adequate and appropriate 

nutrition when their health has been 

compromised by illness or accident.” 

Doctors refer their patients to 

dietitians for counselling, dietary 

guidance and nutritional support. 

Upon receiving a referral, Kala charts 

out a comprehensive treatment plan. 

“The first thing is to ensure that the 

patient’s medical condition matches 

the doctor’s order. I then identify 

his nutritional status and problems 

using key assessment international 

tools. I review his condition, height, 

weight, age, laboratory results, conduct 

interviews and food diaries. Based on 

the estimated protein and energy he 

requires, I develop a medical nutrition 

therapy care plan. There is no ‘onesize-fits-all’ 

solution as every patient 

will need a customised nutritional plan 

based on his needs.” 

Caregivers are also counselled 

Kala sees patients with various 

conditions including diabetics and 

those recovering from stroke. 

“For patients with chronic renal 

failure, we have to address his intake 

of protein, phosphate, potassium and 

sodium. We counsel them on dietary 

modifications, taking into consideration 

cultural traditions. We empower them 

with information to make the right 

food choices and better manage their 

condition. We monitor their progress 

and if needed, make appropriate 

recommendations. During this process 

of nutritional management, we also 

involve the patient’s family members.” 

For elderly patients, counselling 

sessions often include their caregivers. 

“Sometimes, well-meaning family 

members bring food when they 

visit. I advise them on the patient’s 

dietary restrictions and required 

portions. Caregivers play important 

roles in providing support and 

encouragement.” 

In her six years with SGH, Kala 

has attended to countless patients 

with varying conditions. Her biggest 

challenge is looking after the dietary 

requirements of people who have 

suffered burns. 

“Due to the nature of their injuries, 

burns patients have increased metabolic 

rate. They also constantly lose nutrients 

through the skin and undergo multiple 

surgeries. They need enough calories 

and protein for wound healing and 

tissue repair. And if the patient has 

acute renal failure, there is the challenge 

of providing the appropriate amount 

of protein.” 

Passion and empathy 

Most of Kala’s working hours 

is spent on individualised sessions 

with patients in the wards or at the 

outpatient clinics. 

Besides administrative work, the 

honours degree holder in Nutrition 

and Dietetics from King’s College in 

London, also mentors junior dietitians 

and oversees trainees on attachments. 

It’s a mix of responsibilities that she 

has taken well to. 

“Since young, I’ve always had an 

interest in nutrition. I need to stay 

current with new research and know 

what’s being reported in the media. 

My father who works in a hospital, 

also inspired me to choose a profession 

where I can help people and make a 

difference.” 

For individuals keen on following her 

footsteps, Kala lists the key ingredients 

required. 

“You need patience and passion 

because you must empathise with the 

patients. It’s not just about giving 

advice but also lending a listening ear 

to them and their families.” 

Readers give SGH the thumbs up again 

For the second year running, Singapore General Hospital has emerged as the 

only choice in the Readers’ Digest Trusted Brand Hospital category. 

The award which is into its 10th year, honours the top brands in various 

categories in each of seven Asian countries surveyed. 

Top US healthcare expert visits 

Professor Harvey Fineberg, President of the USbased 

Institute of Medicine, a non-profit organisation 

which advises the nation on health matters, was 

in Singapore in early March as a Lee Kuan Yew 

Distinguished Visitor. 

Professor Fineberg has led several important and 

influential studies on the safety of hospital care 

and integration of healthcare services. He toured 

Singapore General Hospital and presented a lecture on ‘Personalised Medicine 

and Patient-Centred Care’ to some 120 senior clinical and administrative 

leaders. 

Gearing up for JCI re-accreditation 

Come July, Singapore General Hospital will be 

undergoing a comprehensive audit on its patient care 

standards and processes to retain its accreditation by 

the Joint Commission International ( JCI). 

JCI is an extension of Joint Commission for the 

Accreditation of Healthcare Organisations ( JCAHO), 

a body that certifies more than 90% of healthcare 

organisations in the United States. JCI standards 

are based on international consensus standards and 

(From right) SGH Chief 

set uniform, achievable expectations for structures, Operating Offi cer Foo 

processes and outcomes for hospitals. 

Hee Jug and Director 

of Nursing Lim Swee Hia 

On the upcoming renewal of its JCI accreditation, took time off their busy 

SingHealth Group CEO Professor Tan Ser Kiat says, schedules to pack ‘Pre- 

JCI nourishment packs’ 

“We are committed to providing safe, reliable and to show appreciation to 

a consistently high standard of care to our patients. staff preparing for the 

comprehensive audit. 

The quality of our care delivery services was validated 

when SGH became the largest teaching hospital in Asia to be successfully 

certified by JCI in 2005.” 

As part of staff appreciation and engagement in the final weeks leading to 

the international review, the Hospital’s management presented each employee 

with a ‘Pre-JCI nourishment pack’ comprising teabags of rose floral and dried 

cranberry fruit. 

More lots at Car Park C 

Thirty-two parking lots have been added to Car Park C near Bowyer Block of 

Singapore General Hospital behind National Heart Centre Singapore. This 

brings the total number of lots at Outram Campus to 1115. 

The space for additional parking lots were created after the Hospital 

relocated its surface diesel tanks, in continuing efforts to ease the car park 

crunch at Outram Campus.


4/25/08 3:45:50 PM 

10 May/Jun 2008 

Organised by


4/28/08 11:54:40 AM 

Ageing and living it up 

By Karen Teng 


BY 2030, it is estimated that for every 

five people you see around you, at least 

one will be aged 65 and above. This 

is the undeniable reality as Singapore 

faces up to the double whammy of a 

greying population and a declining 

birth rate. 

So if you have established your 

career and raised a family, you are 

likely to be already in or heading for 

what’s known as ‘the third age’. This 

term refers to the period of your life 

where self-actualisation and personal 

fulfillment become more important, as 

you have more financial capability and 

less career or family responsibilities. 

But there is no need to dread the 

days of living in the third age, if you 

choose to embrace the concept of 

‘active ageing’. That is the view of 

independent body, the Council for 

Third Age (C3A) which oversees and 

promotes all issues related to helping 

seniors live fulfilling and happy lives. 

The government-funded body was 

established in May last year and aims 

to help seniors achieve a better quality 

of life. 

Making life choices to attain wellness 

According to C3A, active ageing 

involves making conscious choices 

on how seniors live their lives. The 

Council believes those who choose 

to be ‘active agers’ can attain a higher 

level of health and well being by taking 

steps to improve some or all of the six 

dimensions of wellness in their lives 

(see box for details). 

Singapore General Hospital’s 

hostel housekeeping attendant, Yun 

Yit Siong typifies the active senior 

that C3A wants to see more of (see other 

story). The feisty grandmother can be 

considered a role model for her peers. 

Animated and full of zest, Madam 

Yun is living her life to the fullest 

by maintaining mental and physical 

well being. She has strong bonds and 

ties with her family, and a supportive 

network of friends. The active member 

of Lions Befrienders is also giving back 

May/Jun 2008 11 

to society by volunteering her time and 

talents to benefit the less fortunate. 

Personal and collective efforts 

C3A says helping seniors improve 

their wellness require conscious efforts 

from all the individuals involved, and 

the community they live in. 

The Council is calling for collective 

efforts and support from various 

parties including government agencies, 

businesses and grassroots organisations 

to help seniors embrace active ageing. 

This is because as the population ages, 

measures to help older Singaporeans 

remain healthy and active will no doubt, 

take on a greater urgency. 

The Council for Third Age’s Six Dimensions of Wellness 

Dimension 

Social 

Intellectual 

Physical 

Vocational 

Emotional 

Spiritual 

No slowing down for this livewire 

She turns 70 in two years but the hostel housekeeping attendant wants to continue working 

and indulging in her favourite pastimes, which includes performing Chinese opera 

Definition 

Having positive relationships 

Acquiring knowledge and skills 

Caring for one’s health 

Finding fulfillment through work and volunteerism 

Managing and expressing feelings 

Appreciating life and having values 

Madam Yun’s current responsibilities 

include overseeing the hostel’s daily 

operations and attending to the housing 

needs of doctors and nurses of various 

nationalities. “I am happy to be able to 

meet so many people from the regional 

countries, Caucasians and even Nigerians. 

Some of them still keep in touch with me 

even after they return home. The trainee 

nurses are very affectionate and close to 

me. The Filipino nurses call me ‘Mummy’. 

They’re like my children”, she shares with 

pride. 

The many faces of Yun Yit Siong (from left): SGH role model for good service, Chinese opera performer, volunteer worker, surrogate 

mother to trainee nurses and avid traveller. 

At an age when many of her peers 

have opted for a slower lifestyle, Yun 

Yit Siong boasts a jam-packed schedule 

comparable to a swinging single. Fit, 

petite and energetic, she looks at least a 

decade younger than her 68 years. 

Madam Yun works six days a 

week, clocking in the same number 

of hours as she did for the past 46 

years. Off-duty, the grandmother 

of two enjoys giving Chinese opera 

performances and travelling. She loves 

self-improvement courses and makes 

time for charity work. As a member of 

Lions Befrienders, a Voluntary Welfare 

Organisation, Madam Yun is a regular 

at community outreach activities for 

older folks. 

No TV please, she’d rather do yoga 

In 2006, Madam Yun started deejaying 

during karaoke sessions at the Teck 

Ghee community centre in Ang Mo 

Kio, spinning tunes requested by fellow 

seniors. Occasionally, the Holland Close 

resident even takes to the stage to join 

in the crooning! 

“For me, 24 hours a day is not 

enough. That’s why I sleep only about 

5 or 6 hours every day. I go to bed late 

every night because there are just so 

many things to do. I can’t just sit still and 

watch TV. My mind is ever-active and I keep 

thinking of ways to improve myself, make my 

life interesting.” 

Madam Yun’s quest for a fulfilling life 

has seen her dabbling in activities such as 

calligraphy, mahjong, yoga and even beauty 

treatment courses. 

“My schedule is very packed, even on 

Sundays juggling marketing, household 

chores and volunteer work in my 

neighbourhood. Then it’s off to the 

community centre. I don’t have time to slow 

down but that’s okay. If I rest too much or 

stop doing things, I tend to get the flu or 

fall sick! My husband says I am active like 

a dragon, cannot sit still but have to keep 

moving. Fortunately I am still in good health. 

Apart from cholesterol problems which 

I need to take medicine for, everything is 

okay.” 

Always game for new experiences 

Activity-filled days are nothing new to 

Madam Yun, who confesses to being quite 

a ‘livewire’ during her younger years. “I 

loved cha cha and would often go dancing 

with my girlfriends. My favourites were 

can-can skirts and high heels. I was always 

open to trying new things and meeting new 

people.” 

Madam Yun’s first job was as a hairdresser 

but the routine of styling tresses in a tiny 

shop stifled her gregarious personality. “I 

put in very long hours and the job was quite 

mundane. I didn’t have opportunities to 

learn new things.” 

On her sister’s recommendation, Madam 

Yun applied to work at the Singapore 

General Hospital – a move which turned 

out to be a perfect match for her desire 

for new and different experiences. Her 

first assignment was as a kitchen assistant 

serving meals to nurses living in the hospital’s 

hostels. Madam Yun describes the change in 

job environment as ‘eye-opening’. 

“Back in those days, there were British 

nurses and matrons. As I spoke only 

Cantonese, I picked up simple English. I also 

learnt Malay to communicate better with 

my other colleagues. It was very different 

from working in a hair salon.” 

Surrogate mother to trainee nurses 

From fast-paced kitchen operations, 

Madam Yun moved on to oversee linen 

inventory for the hostel. The redeployment 

suited her well, as she focused on raising her 

three children. 

Twelve years ago, Madam Yun was 

appointed as the housekeeping attendant 

of Sisters Quarters, a facility for SGH staff 

undergoing training and foreigners on local 

attachment. She had been understudying 

the housekeeper who has since retired. 

Husband shares love for travelling 

Madam Yun’s many activities took 

a backseat for family life but after her 

children began leading their own lives, 

she resumed her favourite past times 

with renewed vigour. Her barber 

husband is supportive, a fact that she is 

thankful for. 

“My husband is the total opposite of 

me – he plays the saxophone but prefers 

gardening and rearing pet fish. But he is 

okay with what I do. He prefers to stay at 

home while I am very outgoing. But both 

of us share a love for travelling. Every 

year, we’ll go on holidays with my five 

siblings and their spouses. Our group of 

12 has visited most countries in Asia.” 

Madam Yun will be 70 in two years 

but age is just a number for this feisty 

Energiser granny. “My son asked me to 

retire and look after grandchildren. But I 

don’t want to retire when I can still work 

and contribute to society. My greatest 

wish is to remain in great health for as 

long as possible, so that I can continue 

doing what I enjoy.” 

She is grateful that her employment 

contract has been renewed annually past 

her official retirement age. 

“I’m very thankful to SGH and my 

colleagues because they treat me like 

a member of a very large family. My 

superiors have no airs and I’ve been 

given many opportunities to learn new 

things.”

May/Jun 2008 

12 

FrontLine 

When did you start drawing blood and doing 

electrocardiogram (ECG)? 

I have been with the SGH laboratory services for 14 years. I underwent on-thejob 

training and supervision for many years before I was certified to independently 

serve patients. I completed a three-month course at Singapore Polytechnic and 

certified as a phlebotomist under the National Skills Recognition System (NSRS). 

In layman’s terms, it means I am a professional in taking blood. 

How did you hone your skills before your first patient? 

I trained using artificial arms, which had simulated veins. Practise makes perfect 

but I was still quite nervous with my first patient - an elderly man. My needle 

entered his vein successfully. After that, my confidence grew. Now, I serve an 

average of 60 patients a day. I talk to them to help them relax. 

I understand there have been special requests. 

Many long-term outpatients have regular blood tests. Even if their queue numbers 

were called, some would wait to be attended to by their preferred phlebotomist. I 

have regulars and had also been told by some patients they wanted someone else. 

We try our best to accommodate their requests but we don’t encourage this as any 

delay will add to their waiting time. 

What about your experience on doing ECGs? 

Women and even some men, can be quite shy as the ECG leads need to be placed 

directly on their chests. They are also often anxious about the results. I can’t 

interpret their results but I am trained to look out for abnormalities like signs of a 

heart attack. In such instances, I have to call a doctor immediately. 

By Karen Teng 

A familiar face at SGH for outpatients 

who need blood or heart tests, Laboratory 

Technician Zamilah Bte Rahmat, 45, even has 

regulars who insist on being served by her. 

Preferential service 

DidYouKnow 

SGH has 5,858 employees 

Staff comprise 28 nationalities 

from all over the world 

Frontline personnel wear 15 different uniforms 

About 10,000 applications 

received annually via the SGH online job portal 

Name tags come in 3 colours - black for 

specialist doctors and green for good service staff 

Last year, 900 staff received Excellence 

Service Awards 

SGH employs 24 married couples 

Longest-serving staff Orthopaedic 

Technician Ng Puey Kwan joined 

11 employees have cars bearing SGH registration plates including 

SingHealth Group CEO Professor Tan Ser Kiat 

SGH in 1953 

Bye bye skinny jeans! By Karen Teng 

WEAR jeans that fit your body, and 

not starve yourself to squeeze into an 

undersized pair – this was the message 

that Singapore General Hospital wants 

to convey to people suffering from 

eating disorders and struggling to get 

into clothes that don’t fit them. 

The Hospital recently organised a 

series of activities during its Eating 

Disorder Awareness Week, an event 

held annually along with countries 

such as the US, Canada and Australia. 

The aim is to raise awareness on the 

dangers of conditions such as anorexia 

nervosa and bulimia as well as promote 

positive body image. 

Be comfortable in your own genes 

The Week kicked off with the 

A teenage girl pens her 

thoughts about her body 

image onto a T-shirt. 

Clinical Director of SGH LIFE Centre Dr Lee Ee Lian (top row 

in blue) with celebrities including Hossan Leong and Rod 

Monteiro who signed the Body Peace Treaty. 

The SGH Eating Disorder Programme 

is available at the SGH LIFE Centre. 

For enquiries, call 6326 6697 or email: 

sgh.lifecentre@sgh.com.sg 

signing of the Body Peace Treaty, 

which was a collaboration between 

the SGH Eating Disorder Programme 

and teen magazine Seventeen. Local 

celebrities were roped in to reinforce 

the importance of accepting one’s body 

shape and size, instead of resorting 

to drastic measures to change it. T- 

shirt designing sessions were also held 

for people to come up with their own 

creations on positive body image. 

The signature event was the ‘Great 

Jeans Give Away’, where members of 

the public were invited to donate that 

pair of skinny jeans that they were 

struggling to fit into. 

The series of activities culminated 

with a public forum where Professor 

James Lock of Stanford University, 

an international expert in eating 

disorders shared insights on how 

parents can help their teenagers battle 

the illness. 

Missed past issues of OutramNow? Now you can read 

them online at www.sgh.com.sg or any library 

Mar/Apr 2 07 1 

I am pleased to present you the inaugural i sue of SGH’s very own 

newspaper -“Outram Now”. 

This complimentary publication is produced to k ep you 

informed of the services and developments at SGH and our sister 

institutions on Outram Campus. We hope to also help you be ter 

understand the hospital procedures and proce ses that are in place 

for delivery of care to m et your healthcare n eds. 

The name, design and editorial content of this newspaper were 

based on the responses of our many patients in our straw po l a few months ago. 

“Outram Now” is a reflection of our unique identity as the main healthcare 

institution in the we l-known medical hub at Outram and how the site has 

evolved over the years. Most patients surveyed indicated interest i news 

about medical breakthroughs, hospital procedures and new services o fered. 

There is also k en interest in profiles of our specialists and stories about 

A Singapore General Hospital Bi-monthly Publication COMPLIMENTARY 

Dear Readers 

THE 56-year-old female patient admi ted 

to the Singapore General Hospital for a 

throat ailment, was becoming increasingly 

lethargic. Although she was a healthcare 

profe sional, the diabetic did not realise 

she was su fering from an impending 

episode of hyperglycaemia or high bl od 

sugar. The condition is easily treated with 

early medical intervention. But if left 

undetected, the prolonged elevated bl od 

sugar can lead to serious complications. 

Fortunately, the change in the patient’s 

general condition did not go u noticed. 

Because of her medical history, the nurses 

immediately checked her bl od sugar 

level. When their initial a se sment was 

confirmed, they ca led the doctor and a 

potential medical crisis was averted. 

SGH nursing director Lim Sw e 

Hia related this incident with obvious 

pride. After a l, she was that patient who 

witne sed how quick-thinking and we l- 

trained nurses could make a di ference for 

those in their care. 

Take the experience of 28-year-old 

Elena Bte Mohd Ayob. Six years ago as 

a sta f nurse based at ward 42, she l oked 

after a 60-year-old woman who was newly 

diagnosed with End Stage Renal Failure. 

After making sure her patient had se tled 

in and the admi sion procedures had 

“Our nurses are 

pa sionate abou their 

job, knowledgeable 

and skilful. They get 

a lot of training and 

recognition. That’s how 

we motivate them and 

help them enjoy their 

work. The a trition 

rate for SGH nurses is 

very low and SGH has 

become the hospital 

of choice for those 

aspiring to be nurses.” 


Cut & K ep 

General Enquiry 6 2 3 2 

A cidents & Emergencies 6321 43 1 

Admi sions 6321 43 8 

Bi ling/ Medisave Enquiry 6321 43 2 

Medical Reports 6321 4 3 

Medical Social Services 6321 43 5 

Outpatient A pointments 6321 43 7 

Pharmacy 6321 43 6 


Quality Service Manager Helpline 18 0 23 0 18 

SGH website w.sgh.com.sg 

SGH nurses undergoing training to learn how to draw bl od specimens and insert drip. 

b en ca ried out, Elena t ok on the role 

of a counse lor. This was after she sensed 

the patient and relatives were anxious 

about dialysis. When she probed further, 

Elena discovered tha the family was also 

wo ried abou the cost of treatment. 

Typica ly, the patient’s doctor is ca led 

upon to explain the treatment plan while 

concerns about medical f es are often 

handled by a medical social worker. 

But as both parties were not available 

a tha time, Elena did her bes to a lay 

the family’s anxiety. 

“It was after office hours and nobody 

was around excep the nurses and patients. 

So I handled their queries as best as I 

could. And I could s e them ge ting le s 

and le s wo ried as they knew what to 

expect. The information pu them at ease. 

INSIDE 

From Carers to Clinicians 

patients who have su ce sfu ly undergone treatment. 

This inaugural i sue kicks o f with a tribute t our nurses who make up the 

backbone of SGH. Find out more abou the team responsible for the nutritional 

n eds of our patients and a new world-cla s neuroscience centre s on to be set up in 

Singapore right here at SGH. 

Do te l us what you think of our inaugural i sue and if you have any su gestions, 

do email us at editor@sgh.com.sg 

Your sincerely 

Profe sor Tan Ser Kiat 

GCEO, SingHealth & CEO, SGH 

INAUGURAL ISSUE 

March/April 2 07 MICA (P) 1/01/2 07 

 

Lim Sw e Hia 

SGH Nursing Director 

Hospital 

Bi ls 101 

Midsurgery 

brains 

scans 

Why “big” 

SOC 

queue 

numbers 

Eat 

We l 

Pg14 

Pg06 Pg23 

Pg21 

SGH Newspaper Final.in d 1 3/20/07 9:37:16 AM 

3/20/07 9:37:16 AM 

May/Jun 2 07 1 


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INSIDE 

FREE 

May/June 2 07 MICA (P) 1/01/2 07 

 

Family 

Ties 

Light 

Weight 

Club 

Dinosaurs 

Alive! 

Eat 

We l 

Pg 11 

Pg 09 Pg 23 

Pg 21 

2 06, May 9, 9pm: A donor liver 

became available. The SGH liver 

transplant c ordinator made an urgent 

ca l to a woman su fering from acute 

liver failure. 

10pm: Patient a rived at SGH. Tests 

were ca ried out and confirmed she was 

fit to undergo liver transplant surgery. 

Surgeons made final preparations for 

the transplantation. 

Midnight: Patient wh eled into 

operating theatre and anesthetised, with 

six surgeons in a tendance. 

Today, the patient 58-yearold 

Ho May Mui has resumed her 

normal daily routine.(S e other story) 

The administrative clerk was on the 

waiting list for a replacement liver for 

just four months. In the past, patients 

used to have to wait years for one to be 

available. 

Changes to the Human Organ 

Transplant Act (HOTA) in 2 04 made 

this po sible. Previously, the law only 

a lowed for the removal of a person’s 

kidneys if the individual died in an 

a cident or was declared brain dead. 

The amended law now a lows the 

removal of the liver, heart and cornea 

in the event of death from any cause 

for the purpose of transplantation. It is 

estimated tha this would benefit up to 

80 transplant patients a year. 

A liver transplan team is formed 

Nine months after the revised HOTA 

came into e fect, the Singapore General 

Hospital set up its Liver Transplant 

Programme. Dr Tan Ch e Kiat, who is 

a senior consultant in the Department of 

Gastroenterology and Hepatology, heads 

the liver transplan team. 

Delivering new lease of life 

Since April 2 05, the team has 

ca ried out seven liver transplants 

including on Madam Ho. 

Dr Tan said, “We’ve done six dead 

donors and one live donor transplant. 

And we have started on our live donor 

programme because a live donor has 

an advantage. There is more control, 

in terms of timing. You can have a date 

of admi sion and preparation, whereas 

A person diagnosed with liver failure now has a be ter chance of ge ting a 

transplant, thanks to the amended Human Organ Transplant Act and an SGH 

Liver Transplant Team that’s on standby round-the-clock. 

SINCE the SGH Liver Transplant 

Team wa set up in April 2 05, seven 

patients have had liver transplants 

including Ho May Mui. 

Five years ago, Madam Ho, 58, 

felt extremely lethargic and su fered 

from persistent itching. Luckily, she 

did not ignore what s emed like 

harmle s symptoms. She consulted 

her family doctor and discovered 

that her liver was the problem. 

“At first, my doctor could not say 

why I was itching so much. But on 

my third visit, he noticed that the 

whites of my eyes had turned ye low. 

He said it could be liver disease, and 

refe red me to Singapore General 

Hospital immediately.” 

The discolouration of Madam 

Ho’s eyeba ls was an obvious and 

common te l tale sign of a damaged 

liver. Jaundice, which may also cause 

the skin to turn ye low, usua ly shows 

up at a later stage after non-specific 

symptoms of extreme tiredne s and 

itchine s. 

Within a month, Madam Ho 

was diagnosed with autoimmune 

cholangiopathy, an uncommon liver 

condition. This disease causes the 

body to a tack an destroy its own 

liver bile ducts. Th end result is liver 

failure. 

In December 2 05, despite 

medication to control her failing liver, 

the administrative clerk’s condition 

worsened. Madam Ho used ice 

packs to cope with the itching, and 

often t ok lunchtime naps in the 

office because she wa so exhausted. 

Her thighs and forearms were 

swo len, and her jaundice became 

worse. “My eyes were rea l ye low, 

and my skin turned from ye low to 

black,” she said. 

“Transplant 

saved me...” 

Stories by Leong Wai Kit 

leongwk@ntucmedia.org.sg 

when we get a dea donor is tota ly 

unpredictable, and that’s why we n ed a 

24/7 service. A liver transplant using an 

organ from a dead donor can o cur any 

time and we ca not wait because the 

organ wi l deteriorate very quickly.” 

The revised HOTA brought ch er 

to patients but for Dr Tan, more can be 

done. 

“We anticipate that there wi l be 

more livers available because of this 

new bi l. Now that we have the HOTA 

law, we can do more transplants because 

of suitability of organs. S one way to 

Madam Ho May Mu is able to enjoy special bonding moments with her gran daughter, 

thanks to a donor liver available under the revised Human Organ Transplant Act. 



expand that is to have a living donor 

programme, which is a potential source 

of liver for our patients. We started this 

live donor programme last year and so, 

we idea ly want to d one transplant a 

w ek or one a fortnight. That wi l rea ly 

k ep the wh els ro ling, rather than ro l 

and stop”. 

There is growing demand to su port 

Dr Tan’s aim of cu ting down the waiting 

time for those whose livers have failed. 

After a l, he works at the bi gest liver 

department in Singapore where of the 

40, 0 a nual outpatient a tendances, 

half were of people su fering from liver 

conditions. 

An individual n eds a transplant 

when his liver fails as a result of liver 

disorder such as viral hepatitis, ci rhosis 

or liver damage from alcohol or drug 

abuse. A large portion of the liver must 

be damaged before liver failure o curs. 

Rapi damage over days or w eks is 

- Ho May Mui 

SGH Newspaper 5/6.in d 1 5/9/07 10:51:18 AM 

5/9/07 10:51:18 AM 

Jul/Aug 2007 1 


Cut & Keep 

General Enquiry 6222 3322 

Accidents & Emergencies 6321 4311 

Admissions 6321 4388 

Billing/ Medisave Enquiry 6321 4322 

Medical Reports 6321 4333 

Medical Social Services 6321 4355 

Outpatient Appointments 6321 4377 

Pharmacy 6321 4366 


Quality Service Manager Helpline 1800 223 0118 

SGH website 

www.sgh.com.sg 

INSIDE 

F REE 

July/August 2007 MICA (P) 111/01/2007 

 

That pain 

in your 

neck 

Giving 

for future 

healthcare 

needs 

Keeping 

love and 

hope alive 

Eat 

Well 

Pg 6 Pg 10 Pg 23 

Pg 21 

Stories by Hazel Yong 



Visitors to Ward 46 are now greeted by colourful paper cranes at the sitting area 

bringing cheer to both patients and visitors. The wall mural was put together by 

staff, patients and volunteers with artist Sandra Lee as part of this year’s ArtsFest@SGH 

celebrations. Full story on page 22. 

‘Cranes’ of hope take fl ight 

Radioactive ‘seeds’ 

kill early prostate 

cancer cells 

Minimally invasive internal radiation therapy 

targets early prostate cancer cells with minimal 

downtime and no major complications. 

MEN who suffer from early prostate 

cancer now have a safer therapy 

option – internal radiation known as 

brachytherapy. 

Treatment involves 

the implantation of some 80 to 100 

radioactive ‘seeds’ into the prostate 

gland via hollow needles under the 

guidance of ultrasound images. 

Once in the body, these seeds - about 

4mm long and slightly bigger than rice 

grains – will continue to release shortrange 

radiation over six or seven months 

to kill cancer cells. 

Implantation takes only 

two hours and is confined 

only to the prostate gland. 

This minimises radiation 

exposure to surrounding 

organs, unlike external 

radiation. 

There is no 

need to remove the seeds 

at the end of the treatment 

period. 

SGH’s Director of Uro- 

Oncology Dr Weber Lau 

said, “Brachytherapy is 

an excellent conformal therapy. The 

radiation is not going anywhere outside 

the prostate and you can plan safety 

margins in such a way that there are 

minimal effects around the surrounding 

tissue.” 

Patients can return home the day 

after the operation and resume normal 

activities almost immediately, unlike 

the seven-week treatment period for 

conventional external radiotherapy. 

There is also less scarring involved 

compared to conventional surgery for 

the removal of prostate gland. 

Early detection, more treatment 

options 

The prostate is important to the male 

reproductive system for its production of 

seminal fluid. It may be a small walnutsized 

gland tucked inconspicuously 

below the bladder but prostate cancer is 

the fifth most common cancer among 

Singaporean men. 

Those at risk are usually over 55 years 

old, have a family history of prostate 

cancer or have a diet high in animal fat 

and red meat. 

As the main urology referral centre 

in Singapore, SGH registered 217 

new patients diagnosed with prostate 

cancer last year. The numbers are 

expected to rise in future although that 

is not necessarily a bad thing as Dr Lau 

explained. 

“Based on findings from our own 

departmental database, 50 to 60 per cent 

of patients came to us with advanced 

stages of prostate cancer over the past 

15 to 20 years. The cancer cells have 

spread to the bones so doctors can only 

try to relieve the patients’ symptoms, 

not prolong their longevity. But the 

increase in public awareness and health 

screenings mean that more cancers 

that we detect today are in their early 

stages. The patients are also younger 

and healthier at about 55 to 60 years 

old compared to the median age of late 

60s in the past. This enables us to offer 

them more treatment options.” 

Making medical history 

SGH was the first of two public 

hospitals here to introduce brachytherapy 

to prostate cancer patients in July last 

year. Since then, the SGH team has 

implanted radioactive seeds in 10 

patients successfully. 

Dr Lau said, “So far, none of the 

patients required external radiotherapy 

to supplement the implants or repeated 

hospitalisation. There are also no major 

rectal complications, urinary retention 

or seed migration. Some patients 

experienced slight urinary or bowel 

symptoms but this is common after 

radiation treatments.” 

Dr Lau said that some overseas 

data also suggested fewer urinary 

and impotence problems linked with 

brachytherapy compared to surgery 

or external beam radiation. Given 

the positive outcome, Dr Lau believes 

that the combination of brachytherapy 

and external radiation can potentially 

be used to treat more locally advanced 

stages of prostate cancer as well. 

“There are such cases overseas 

but because we have just started the 

programme here, we’ll confine treatment 

to low-risk patients first and see how it 

goes.” 

X-ray of an early prostate cancer patient who has 

undergone brachytherapy. 

Outram Now Jul-Aug.indd 1 7/2/07 5:40:52 PM 

Sept/Oct 2 07 1 


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INSIDE 

FREE 

September/October 2 07 MICA (P) 1/01/2 07 

 

SingHealth sw eps 

President's Award 

for Nurses 

'Bl odle s' 

brain 

surgery 

Celebrate 

Festival 

of Lights 

Digital 

ward 

Pg 3 Pg 9 Pg 23 

Pg 16 

By Hazel Yong 


SingHealth nurses get new look 

New design score 

high both in looks and 

functionality – making it 

easier for patients and the 

public to approach the 

right nurses for a sistance. 

IT’S a fashion update that patients 

would a plaud. Come October, over 

5, 0 nurses from the SingHealth 

cluster wi l start do ning spi fy o f- 

white ensembles with trimmings on the 

sl eves or bodice. 

The change is not about vanity. 

M oted and designed by the nurses 

themselves, the corporate colours and 

trimming placement reflect thei ranks 

and the institutions they hail from. 

This help sp ed up both external and 

internal communication. 

Cohesive corporate identity 

SingHealth’s Nursing Director 

for Outram Campus Lim Sw e Hia 

explained, “The aim of the change is 

to project a cohesive identity for the 

nine SingHealth institutions and make 

it easier for patients to identify nurses 

of di ferent grades. Cu rently, patients 

don’t know why some ‘nurses’ are unable 

to answer their queries.” This is because 

patient sometimes mistake the patient 

care or health care a sistants for nurses 

as they wear the same uniforms. 

As the nation’s largest healthcare 

group, the uniform change wi l also 

improve the corporate identity and the 

vocation’s profe sional image among 

the public. SingHealth’s member 

institutions are Singapore General 

Hospital (SGH), Changi General 

Hospital (CGH), KK Women’s and 

Children’s Hospital (KKH), nine 

polyclinics, National Cancer Centre 

Singapore, National Dental Centre, 

National Heart Centre, National 

Neuroscience Institute and Singapore 

National Eye Centre. 

KKH’s Director of Nursing L e 

Heng Pheng noted, “A common 

identity is especia ly useful when our 

nurses go for clinical a tachment at 

sister institutions. Patients wi l identify 

them as nurses from the SingHealth 

group and be more a cepting of them, 

rather than be confused by the di ferent 

uniforms worn by nurses from di ferent 

institutions.” 

Ground-up e fort by nurses 

The idea for the uniform change was 

m oted last December. In January, a 

survey was ca ried out among SingHealth 

nurses to s ek their input on features 

for the new uniforms. Madam Lim said 

about 75 per cent of nurses responded 

and a panel of nursing directors worked 

with the vendor to produce the designs. 

Shortlisted prototypes were shown at 

communication se sions with nurses, 

put to a vote and submi ted to the 

management for a proval. 

The result – user-friendl yet stylish 

designs acro s four major nursing 

grades: nursing director, nurse manager, 

sta f nurse and enro led nurse. Female 

nurses get slimming prince s-cut dre ses 

with back zi pers while the men wear 

co lared shirts with slits for easier a ce s 

to their trouser pockets. Polyester-rayon 

fabric is used for its high thread count 

and the uniforms are treated with a stain 

resistant finish for easy cleaning. 

Over at CGH, th excitement runs 

high even though the uniform switch is 

slated only for January next year – the 

last of SingHealth’s institutions to do 

so. A cording to Director of Nursing 

at CGH L e Yen Yen, their e forts to 

change uniforms thr e years ago were 

aborted. “This change is timely as our 

nurses have worn the same uniform 

since 1 90. They rea ly l ok forward to 

this refreshing change.” 

Echoing the same sentiment, SGH 

nurse clinician Seow Kah Hiang said, 

“I prefer the new uniform. It is more 

comfortable and easy to move around 

in, which is what we n ed at work. 

I think our new l ok makes us l ok 

profe sional and portrays a g od image 

of our organisation.” 

Outram Now Sept-Oct.in d 1 

Outram Now Sept-Oct.in d 1 8/24/07 5:29:56 PM 

Nov/Dec 2 07 1 


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INSIDE 

F R EE 

I sue 5 November/December 2 07 MICA (P) 1/01/2 07 

 

Computera 

sisted kn e 

replacement 

surgery 

Have you 

washed 

your 

hands? 

The world 

through 

his eyes 

Chicken 

Galantine 

for X'mas 

Pg5 Pg9 Pg 23 

Pg 21 


Stories by Hazel Yong and Karen Teng 


Cord blood gives 

hope to adults 

Outram Campus gets new landmark 

By 2010, a brand new 13-storey building wi l rise above the familiar landscape of Outram 

Campus, as part of ongoing parts to redevelop the area into an academic medical hub. 

Fu l story on page 3. 

Two unrelated cord blood units can be used to treat 

adults afflicted with leukaemia. 

Leukaemia survivor Candy Yeow remained 

optimistic even while she was undergoing 

double cord bl od transplant. 

A 19-year-old girl ha su ce sfu ly ba tled 

leukaemia fo lowing a stem ce l transplant 

using umbilical cord bl od from two 

unrelated individuals. Polytechnic 

student Candy Yeow underwent a novel 

procedure known as double cord bl od 

transplant after there was no match for a 

bone ma row transplant (s e other story). 

Singapore General Hospital’s 

consultant haematologist and Deputy 

Director for the Centre for Transfusion 

Medicine at Health Sciences Authority 

Dr Mickey Koh (right) said double 

cord bl od transplant is an option for 

Singaporean adult patients su fering 

from leukaemia. This is because due to 

sma l family size, many may have only 

one sibling or none at a l. Therefore a 

patient may not have a suitable match. 

Dr Koh explained, “Bone ma row 

transplants work be ter if the donor is a 

sibling. There’s a 25 per cent chance that 

their ce ls make a perfect match with the 

patient’s and this minimise sid e fects. 

If the sibling is unsuitable, we can search 

bone ma row registries worldwide for 

unrelated donors. Bu the Asian registry 

is under-represented and finding a match 

is relatively more difficult. Moreover, this 

proce s may also take considerable time. 

Novel double cord bl od transfusion 

The alternative to a bone ma row 

transplant is cord bl od transplant. 

Pion ered in France in 1 98, the 

procedure was then confined to a single 

cord bl od unit and initia ly used on 

children age 12 and below. Cord bl od 

is co lected at childbirth and donated to 

publi cord banks or stored by parents 

with private cord bl od companies. 

Donated cord bl od can be obtained from 

an international network of healthcare 

facilities including the Singapore 

Cord Bl od Bank at KK Women’s and 

Children’s Hospital. 

As a single unit of cord bl od may 

not contain sufficient stem ce ls n eded 

for an adult, a novel procedure would 

be to combine two cord bl od units to 

increase the stem ce l dose. However, 

this initia ly raised the i sue on whether 

the two separate units would react with 

one another or agains the patient. 

Dr Koh said, “A double cord bl od 

unit transplant is an i novative concept 

which enables us to use cord bl od in 

adults. The bes thing about cord bl od 

transplants is that di ferences in bl od 

group betw en recipient an donors do 

not ma ter as much. The two units of 

cord bl od can also be of di ferent bl od 

groups.” 

Recipient rid of diseased ce ls 

Before a cord bl od transplant is 

ca ried out, a recipient undergoes 

chemotherapy and radiotherapy to clear 

his bone ma row of leukaemic ce ls. 

The donated two units of cord bl od 

are then transfused into the recipient. 

“The stem 

ce ls from the 

donors’ bl od 

interestingly 

then migrates to 

the recipient’s 

‘empty’ bone 

ma row. In time, 

the cord bl od 

units would ‘engraft’ or grow in the 

recipient’s bone ma row and produce 

new platelets, white and red bl od ce ls. 

It is very much like waiting for a s ed 

to germinate.” 

Bl od disease specialists like Dr Koh 

are cu rently doing research into the 

post-transplantation proce s. 

“Biologica ly speaking, there were 

thr e ‘people’ flowing in one body after 

the transfusion – Candy’s ce ls and the 

two di ferent cord bl od units. But 

invariably, we always s e one of the 

two cord units taking over, sometimes 

a s on a six w ek so that eventua ly, 

one cord predominates while the other 

fades away. Candy’s bl od type has 

also changed from her original to that 

of the new cord unit. Research i sti l 

undergoing to understand more of this 

proce s and to predict which of the two 

units would eventua ly engraft”. 

Po sible new treatment option 

SGH’s department of haematology 

runs the largest adult stem ce l 

programme in Singapore. Since last 

year, doctors have performed thr e 

cases of double cord transplants. Candy 

Yeow is the longest survivor with the 

best results as she is in remi sion and 

does not require any medication. 

While double cord bl od transplant 

is sti l a relatively new procedure, Dr 

Koh and the rest of the transplan team 

are also embarking on a parent-child 

bone ma row transplant programme 

in a bid to increase treatment options. 

“This does present with a ditional new 

problems and risks as the match in such 

instances is usua ly only about 50%. The 

risks are therefore muc higher. The 

parent-child bone ma row transplant is a 

po sibility as the genetic match may reach 

50 per cent.” 

Outram Now Nov-Dec.in d 1 

Outram Now Nov-Dec.in d 1 10/25/07 1:25:32 PM 

Jan/Feb 2 08 1 

“ 

donated hi skin upon death. Betw en 

2 04 to 2 06, the number of donors 

hovered betw en two and four. These 

figures are a grim reflection on the p or 

public response and misconception to 

the idea of donating one’s skin upon 

death. 

The Skin Bank Unit’s Principal 

Scientific Officer Alvin Chua explained, 

“It is hard for people to imagine how 

something superficial and what we 

litera ly s e daily like our skin, be taken 

from the deceased. Donating internal 

organs is probably easier because people 

ca not s e what has b en taken away.” 

Skin taken only from selected areas 

Contrary to popular belief, 

skin is not taken from head to 

toe leaving the donor ‘bare’. 

Profe sor Song explained, “On average, 

we take about 0.25 m m to 0.4 mm 

in terms of skin depth, from flat surfaces 

like the thighs and back. We use a 

shaver-like device ca le dermatome to 

harves the skin.” 

As only the outer topmost layer of the 

skin is removed, the harvested areas wi l 

a pear slightly pale compared to the rest 

of the body where the skin is left intact. 

As the harvested areas can be concealed 

with clothing, the donor’s physical 

a pearance would not be a fected. 


Cut & K ep 












INSIDE 

FREE 

I sue 6 January/February 2 08 MICA (P) 028/01/2 08 

 

A l-in-one 

digital 

neuroscience 

centre opens 

K ep away, 

the nurse is 

giving out 

medicine 

Fa Cai 

Chap Chye 

30, 0 

more SOC 

a pointments 

Pg 3 Pg 11 Pg 21 

Pg 13 


Donated skin needed to 

help the severely burned 

TAIWAN fighter jet crash survivor 

Karthigayan Ramakrishnan (right) 

might have su cumbed to infection, had 

it not b en for donated skin which acted 

as ‘natural bandages’ for his injuries. The 

24-year-old su fered 45 percent burns 

on his body fo lowing the a cident last 

May. His injuries had to be covered 

with donated skin in the first few critical 

w eks (s e other story). 

A cording to Singapore General 

Hospital’s Senior Consultant and Head of 

the Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic 

Surgery Department A sociate Profe sor 

Colin Song, cadaveric skin, or skin from 

deceased donors, 

may be the key to 

a burns patient’s 

survival. 

Profe sor Song 

(left) who is also 

Director of the 

Burns C entre 

explained, “Not 

having sufficient 

Potential donors need to make pledges for skin to be harvested upon death as the 

amended Human Organ Transplant Act covers only liver, heart, cornea and kidneys 



Badly burnt but soldier is on the mend 

It has been a long road to recovery for Third Sergeant (NS) Karthigayan Ramakrishan bu the 24- 

year-old remains optimistic after his brush with death 

I was na ly discharged from 

SGH after two months. For nearly 

six w eks, I was unconscious but I 

could actua ly sense the presence 

of my family members, friends and 

we l-wishers. My family and friends 

kept vigil throughout my hospital stay. 

My dad said when I was airlifted back 

from Taiwan, my head was two-anda-half 

times its normal size. There 

were so many bandages and medical 

a paratus a tached to me when I was 

admi ted a the SGH Burns Centre. 

In the rst few w eks, I was constantly 

ru ning a high fever due to infection. 

At one point, my heart was functioning 

like a man twice my age. It was a touchand-go 

situation. My doctors fought 

to save me – I was subjected to a 

dozen surgeries including multiple 

skin grafting. They used donated skin 

to cover the wounds in the initial 

treatment phase to help prevent 

infection . CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 

skin can cause death as there 

is no skin to act as ba rier to 

prevent infection. The leading 

cause of death in severe burns is 

overwhelming infection. It is our 

constant wo ry as bacteria thrives 

on dead skin. So we n ed to 

remove the patient’s burned skin 

as s on as po sible. If there isn’t 

enough of the patient’s own skin to 

cover his wounds then we use the 

next bes thing – cadaveric skin – to 

buy time and culture his own skin 

for grafting.” 

Using cadaveric skin as dre sing, 

or what is termed as a lograft, 

promotes healing and acts as 

temporary biologic skin for the 

patient. The a lograft can stay on a patient 

for up to thr e w eks before his immune 

system starts rejecting it. Profe sor Song 

explained, “The cadaveric skin wi l start 

p eling and bacteria can star to invade. 

But by then, we would have already 

cultured the patient’ skin for grafting, or 

we are able to take the patient’s own skin 

from unburned areas taken previously 

since these wi l have healed over.” 

Insufficient su ply of cadaveric skin 

The use of cadaveric skin a lograft 

as temporary biological dre sing is 

practised in many major international 

Burn Centres. Singapore fo lowed suit 

in 1 98, after SGH set up the Skin Bank 

Unit. 

In Singapore, the demand for skin 

is far higher than local su ply. For 

the whole of last year, only one person 

Burn survivor Karthigayan Ramakrishnan works out 

regularly as part of his rehabilitation proce s. 

The management and sta f of 

Singapore General Hospital wish 

a l readers a Ha py New Year. 

JAN OutramNow Jan-Feb 08.in d 1 

JAN OutramNow Jan-Feb 08.in d 1 12/21/07 10:35:37 AM 

Mar/Apr 2 08 1 


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INSIDE 

1 ST A N N IVE R S A R Y I S UE 

I sue 7 March/April 2 08 MICA (P) 028/01/2 08 

 

Are your 

kidneys 

okay? 

Wa l 

mural of 

inspirations 

G odbye 

Housemen's 

Cant en 

Pg 5 Pg 11 Pg 31 

Pg 28 


Treat prolonged 

pain before it 

becomes a disease 

Pain affects a person’s we l being and if left 

untreated, can lead to serious health problems 

By Hazel Yong and Karen Teng 


INDIVIDUALS who complain of 

persistent pain that lasts beyond thr e 

months despite medication should be 

taken seriously and treated before it leads 

to serious complications. This warning 

comes from Director of the Singapore 

General Hospital’s Pain Management 

Centre Dr Yeo Sow Nam. 

Dr Yeo is the first doctor in Singapore 

t obtain a creditation in the specialty 

of pain management offered by the 

Australian and New Zealand Co lege 

of Pain Medicine. He describes pain 

as a sensation that cause suffering and 

points out that unfair labe ling of the 

affected person would prevent him from 

s eking proper treatmen to a dre s the 

r ot cause. 

“Such individuals are often 

misunderst od and labe led a suffering 

from psychological pain when the pain 

is actua ly very real. Once labe led, they 

are no taken seriously and continue to 

suffer.” 

Dr Yeo notes that sometimes 

a patient’s complaints of pain are 

dismi sed, especia ly when results of 

diagnostic tests are inconclusive. “This 

unfair labe ling o curs when X-rays, 

scans and other diagnostic t ols do not 

give a clear cause behind the patient’s 

agony. It is s en in patients from al 

medical disciplines.” 

Suffering beyond thr e months 

At SGH, pain is known as the fifth 

OutramNow turns 

Dear Reader 

It has b en a year since we launched Outram Now - the fi rst newspaper to be 

launched by a Singapore hospital. This bi-monthly publication was produced 

specia ly to help m et our patients’ n ed for information on our services, 

hospital procedures and proce ses as we l as healthcare financing. 

Since our inaugural i sue, we have received very encouraging and a preciative 

responses from you. Many of our Outram Now newspaper stands a l over 

Outram Campus ar emptied out within thr e w eks. Those who mi sed 

previous i sues, have also asked for Outram Now to be delivered to your 

home. 

So from now, we wi l increase our print run to 35, 0 copies per i sue. 

We have started a mailing list for those of you who don’t want to mi s a 

single i sue. To be included in our mailing list, just email your personal details 

to editor@sgh.com.sg 

We believe that health information has an impact on the quality of healthcare 

and in the decision-making by our patients. In the year ahead, we want to 

continue improving our health communication for a l patients and their nextof-kin. 

To help us do be ter, do participate in ou readership survey. Your inputs 

and su gestions wi l help us improve the content of Outram Now and m et 

overa l healthcare information n eds of those we serve. 

Thank you for your su port. 

Your sincerely 

Profe sor Tan Ser Kiat 

GCEO, SingHealth & CEO, SGH 

BUMPER 

I SUE 

32 

pages 

Li Wai Sum, 54, learnt non-surgical methods 

to tackle her back pain, pu ting an end to 

over thr e decades of suffering. Details on 

page 2. 

Pain has a huge impact 

on a person’s life. So don’t 

ignore it. ” 

“ 

- Dr Yeo Sow Nam 

Director of Pain Management Centre, 

SGH 

vital sign and recognised as an indicator 

of the patient’s we l being. Vital signs 

are measurements for healthcare 

profe sionals to a se s an individual’s 

basic body functions. The other vital 

signs are temperature, pulse or heart 

rate, bl od pre sure and respiratory 

rate. 

Dr Yeo says SGH is the first hospital 

in South East Asia to recognise pain as 

a vital sign and subsequently, developed 

a common pain scale. Patients are asked 

to expre s their level of pain on a scale 

of 0 to 10. Zero means no pain while 

10 refers to worst pain imaginable for 

the patient. 

Of great concern to him is chronic 

pain which refers to discomfort lasting 

over thr e months, beyond the typical 

recovery period for an injury or i lne s. 

This is because prolonged suffering can 

affec the patient’s life drastica ly. 

“People always ask what’s the big 

deal about pain. We l, chronic pain is 

a significant, unrecognised problem, 

which can ha pen in any part of the 

body to anyone. Many medical experts 

who work with international bodies 

like the World Health Organisation 

recognise pain as a disease as it can 

cause depre sion. In fact, about 45 to 

50 per cent of sufferers develop major 

depre sion and som even have suicidal 

tendencies.” 

One in 10 suffer from chronic pain 

Local data shows that some people 

do suffer from prolonged pain. Dr Yeo 

who is President of the Pain A sociation 

of Singapore shares findings of a 

population-based survey completed last 

year. 

“Of the sample p ol of 5 0 people, 

about 10 percent said they have 

experienced chronic pain. That’s acro s 

a l age groups. But for those above age 

65, chronic pain affected nearly half of 

them. And their pain were so severe that 

they either try to treat it themselves 

Helping 

patients 

regain 

function 

FREE 

ONE 

OutramNow Mar/Apr 08 new.in d 1 

OutramNow Mar/Apr 08 new.in d 1 2/26/08 1:31:17 AM 

Features include 

• Untreated prolonged pain may 

become a disease 

• 10-second test reveals the health of 

your kidneys 

• Donated skin needed for burnt 

patients 

• ‘Bloodless’ brain surgery 

• Cord blood gives hope to adults 

• Radioactive seeds for early prostate 

cancer 

Don’t want to miss out on future issues? Join the OutramNow mailing list by emailing your 

name, address and contact number to editor@sgh.com.sg 

* For more effi cient allocation of resources, only one copy of OutramNow will be sent to each address. 

At age 76 Principal Radiographer 

Lee Wai Sum is oldest employee 


4/25/08 3:46:42 PM


4/25/08 3:47:48 PM 

GE Ad_300dpi.pdf 4/2/08 4:03:21 PM 

May/Jun 2008 13


4/25/08 3:47:57 PM 

14 May/Jun 2008 

HospitalBills101 

Why was patient charged Class B2 

rates for her stay in Class C ward? 

My mother needed hospitalisation following a bad fall at home. On 

admission, I requested that a Class B2 ward for her but no bed was 

available. My mother spent two nights in a Class C ward before she 

was finally transferred to a Class B2 ward where she stayed another 

three nights. Why were we billed Class B2 rates for her entire 

hospital stay of five nights? Shouldn’t the higher rates apply only 

from the time she was transferred to B2? 

When hospital admissions are higher than usual, there may not be a bed available 

based on the patient’s preferred choice of ward class. 

In the case of your mother, she was temporarily placed in a Class C ward upon 

admission. She was transferred to her ward class of choice as soon as a Class B2 

bed was available. 

The daily ward charges are based on the ward class in which patient was in. 

Therefore, your mother was billed at Class C rate for the first 2 days and Class B2 

for the following 3 days. 

All other services such as Daily Treatment fee, Lab investigations, Ward 

procedures etc. were charged at ‘B2’ rate from Day 1 of stay. This is a standard 

practice across all restructured hospitals. 

For a better idea on the charges related to the upgrading and downgrading of ward 

class, we provide an example in the following table: 

Downgrade* 

Upgrade 

(subject to bed availability & (subject to bed availability) 

MOH means testing) 

From To From To 

Ward Class B2 C C B2 

Number of days 3 days 2 days 3 days 2 days 

Ward charges B2 rates C rates C rates B2 rates 

(based on the 

actual ward 

class the 

patient is in) 

Services 

B2 rates C rates B2 rates 

(charges are Based on the actual ward Based on the higher 

based on class patient was in ward class from Day 1 

upgraded ward 

class from 

Day 1 of stay. 

In the event 

of downgrade, 

it would be 

based on the 

actual class the 

patient was in) 

* Ministry of Health means testing is required when a patient downgrades from 

private ward class (eg: A and B1) to a subsidised ward class (B2+, B2 or C Class). 

Reply from Ong Mei Ling, Manager, Business Office, SGH. 

Contest Results 

Results of the first Readership Survey in OutramNow Mar/ Apr 2008 Issue 7. 

The following each win an OSIM Sona anti-snore pillow worth $199. 

Chui Lai Ching • Rubiah Bte Said • Lucy Tan 

The following each win a KariHome health food hamper worth $200. 

Cecilia Chan • Chan Ee Ching • Amelia Chua Guek Eng • John Hoe Koo Cheng • Michael Koh 

All winners have been notified via email or post. Prizes must be claimed by June 30. 

• During financial counselling, patients are advised on the estimated bill size 

before admission based on their choice of ward class as well as policies on 

upgrading and downgrading. 

• For those opting for private A/ B1 wards, a deposit is required because Medisave 

is insufficient (as the use of Medisave is subject to prevailing withdrawal limits 

set by the CPF Board). 

• Patients who are fit for discharge but do not do so, will be charged the full cost 

of the period of their oversitay from the 7th calendar day after the hospital has 

helped in arranging for step-down care. 

• Patients are encouraged to choose an appropriate ward class based on careful 

financial planning taking into account the affordability, length of stay, deposit 

payment and Medisave / Medishield coverage. 

In every issue of OutramNow, we highlight some frequently asked questions many 

of our patients have about hospital admissions, billing and processes. If you have 

any queries and concerns, email editor@sgh.com.sg 

Helping hand for new moms 

FIRST-time mothers already 

discharged from hospital who 

still need advice on caring for 

their newborns, can get a nurse 

to visit them at home for a 

nominal fee. 

The service is available under 

SingHealth’s Postnatal Home 

Care programme and staffed by 

veteran nurses specially trained 

by KK Women’s and Children’s 

Hospital. A package of three 

visits costs $155. 

During each two-hour 

visit, a nurse will advise the 

new mother on breastfeeding, 

nutrition and impart skills on 

looking after her baby. Mothers 

recovering from Caesarian delivery, will 

also get tips on wound care. 

This personalised service got the 

thumbs-up from first-time mother, 

Deng Li Hui who delivered her son by 

Caesarian section. 

“Although I’ve mentally prepared 

myself for the arrival of baby Samuel, 

I was still very much lost and nervous 

on the first night he arrived home after 

checking out of the hospital, especially 

each time he cried… Within three 


Nurse Ong Poh Eng (left) helped fi rst-time mother Deng 

Li Hui learn the basics of caring for baby Samuel. 

days, Nurse Ong Poh Eng prepared 

my parents and I with hands-on skills 

to care for my baby, including bathing, 

changing of nappies and dealing with 

nappy rash. Even after the completion 

of her service, Nurse Ong still patiently 

answered my phone calls whenever 

I called her with questions about my 

baby.” 

To sign up for the Postnatal Home 

Care programme, call 6557 4974 or 

4953.


4/28/08 11:54:57 AM 

11 days in hospital and 

she did not need to pay cash 

Homemaker chalked up almost $10,000 in hospital bills but comprehensive medical insurance and 

Medisave paid for it all 

May/Jun 2008 15 

By Karen Teng 


IT was her first time in hospital and 

Madam Tok Keok was scheduled to 

undergo surgery for a lung condition 

known as emphysema. As a homemaker, 

the 52-year-old did not enjoy medical 

benefits but hospital bills were the least 

of her concern. 

Her husband, Bob Tan says, “We 

had no worries. With just one phone 

call, we were totally assured that all my 

wife’s hospital bills would be taken care 

of. All she had to do was concentrate 

on getting well.” 

Insurance for medical coverage 

The couple’s confidence was the result 

of a decision made 15 years ago. 

Mr Tan, 61, a senior catering sales 

manager for a leading hotel shares, 

“Twenty years ago, I bought my own 

endowment insurance policy. Five years 

later, I decided to get medical insurance 

for my wife, youngest son and myself. 

She was then 38 and my son was just 

10. I opted for a basic plan to cover our 

hospital bills.” 

Six years ago, he upgraded their 

medical insurance policy to a premium 

plan which provides comprehensive 

coverage of up to 90 percent of their 

hospital bills. “I upgraded because of 

rising medical costs. Enhanced coverage 

also meant we are entitled to Class A 

ward. We’ll be more comfortable and 

have more privacy.” 

The family of three is covered under 

Great Eastern’s SupremeHealth plan. 

Their current annual premiums are 

over $1,400 a year and payable with 

Medisave. To Mr Tan, it is money well 

spent. “This coverage is better than the 

benefits provided by my employer. As 

my dependents, my wife and son only 

get 50 percent coverage.” 

Hassle-free electronic claim process 

Madam Tok’s hospitalisation at 

the Singapore General Hospital this 

January was the first time the family had 

made claims from their insurer. Mr Tan 

described the process as ‘hassle-free.’ 

“I called my Great Eastern life 

planner Thomas Tan when my wife 

was admitted to SGH. At that time, 

Thomas was in Jakarta but he checked 

with his head office and confirmed that 

most of my wife’s hospital bills would 

be taken care of. I would not need to 

submit any documents or hospital bills 

to Great Eastern as it would be an 

electronic transaction.” 

“ 

When it comes to 

hospital bills, that’s 

one thing we don’t 

have to worry about... 

Having medical 

insurance gives us 

peace of mind. 

” 

– Bob Tan, 61, senior catering sales 

manager, who bought comprehensive 

medical insurance to protect against 

rising healthcare costs. 

This was possible as the Hospital 

is electronically linked with the CPF 

Board which manages Medisave as 

well as the various insurance companies 

offering Medisave-approved integrated 

insurance plans. 

Paperwork at the SGH Admissions 

Office was also minimal, Mr Tan says. 

“Upon my wife’s admission to 

SGH, I signed authorisation forms for 

Medisave and Great Eastern to cover 

her hospital bills. I provided a deposit 

of $2,500 as requested. The staff told 

me this amount would be refunded 

subsequently after the insurance 

company and CPF Board processed 

my claims.” 

Hospital bills for reference only 

Madam Tok was discharged after 

spending 11 days in SGH including 

an overnight stay in the Intensive Care 

Unit. 

Her hospital bills were mailed to 

their home, says Mr Tan. “But we didn’t 

have to do anything as the hospital 

bills were for our reference only. Her 

medical insurance policy and my 

Medisave account covered everything. 

I also got my deposit back.” 

His wife has resumed her daily 

routine and only needs to see her 

doctor once a year. 

Looking back, Mr Tan is thankful 

to have made an astute decision of 

buying medical insurance earlier in 

their lives. 

“When it comes to hospital bills, 

that’s one thing we don’t have to worry 

about. I strongly recommend that 

others start planning early for this, like 

I did. Having medical insurance gives 

us a peace of mind.” 

Get shielded against hefty 

hospital bills 


To guard against rising medical costs and large hospital bills, buying medical insurance is 

no longer seen as an option, as Mr Bob Tan can attest to (see other story). But not just 

any insurance policy will do. With an array of hospitalisation plans offered by various 

private insurers, it is important to get a medical insurance policy to suit one’s needs. 

In the case of Mr Bob Tan, he decided in 1993, that his wife and youngest son needed 

comprehensive coverage for their healthcare needs. He sought advice from Great 

Eastern life planner Thomas Tan. 

Thomas recalls, “After assessing in detail their requirements, taking into consideration 

the fact that his wife is a housewife and his youngest son was then 10 years old, I 

recommended a comprehensive medical insurance policy to cover their hospital bills.” 

The Tan family of three is covered under Great Eastern’s SupremeHealth plan. 

Thomas explains, “It is a hospitalisation plan that provides guaranteed lifetime cover. 

It gives wider coverage and more premium discounts, yet reimburses medical bills in 

full.” 

Claim up to half a million dollars per year 

SupremeHealth has an annual claimable limit of $500,000, which Great Eastern says, 

is one of the highest in the industry. Policyholders are reimbursed for their medical 

expenses including charges for surgery and stays in Intensive Care. The plan also pays 

for Specialist Outpatient visits before-and-after an operation. 

Great Eastern’s Managing Director for Singapore Tan Hak Leh says, “With 

SupremeHealth, policyholders do not have to bear their hospitalisation expenses, other 

than the standard deductibles and co-insurance portion as regulated by the Ministry 

of Health.” 

Premiums are payable with Medisave and policyholders can look forward to 5 

percent lifetime renewal discount. This applies even if claims have been made. Children 

are eligible for a 10 percent discount on their first year premium. 

For mothers-to-be, SupremeHealth offers unrivalled coverage, as Mr Tan Hak Lek 

explains. 

“The plan covers complications from pregnancy or childbirth at least 10 months 

after the commencement of the policy. This is also the only plan that covers congenital 

diseases as long as they are detected two years after the policy commencement date.” 

Global coverage for those based overseas 

SupremeHealth policyholders working and living overseas can also opt for the Global 

Advantage Plan and be covered up to $2 million. 

Mr Tan Hak Leh says this enhances the policyholder’s hospitalisation coverage as the 

Plan offers access to the best medical advice and resources worldwide. 

“Although we enjoy one of the best healthcare systems in the world, this plan satisfy 

the needs of cosmopolitan Singaporeans by allowing them to obtain timely medical 

advice and pursue the best medical treatment and care the world can offer.”


4/25/08 3:49:00 PM 

16 May/Jun 2008 

HealthBits 

Is that a sign of Alzheimer’s disease? 

MORE forgetful lately and worried 

you might be going senile? Or are your 

elderly parents behaving strangely? The 

classic sign of early Alzheimer’s disease 

is gradual loss of short-term memory. 

The Alzheimer’s Association of America 

advises looking out for other signs: 

• Problems finding or 

speaking the right word. 

• Inability to recognise 

objects. 

• Forgetting how to 

use simple, ordinary 

things, such as a pencil. 

• Forgetting to turn 

off the stove, close 

windows, or lock doors. 

Mood and personality 

changes also may occur. Agitation, 

problems with memory, and poor 

judgment may cause unusual behavior. 

These symptoms vary from one person 

to the next. 

Symptoms appear gradually in 

persons with Alzheimer's disease but 

may progress more slowly in some 

persons than in others. In other forms 

of dementia, symptoms may appear 

suddenly or may come and go. 

Do you have problems with any of 

these activities: 

• Learning and remembering 

new information. Do you repeat 

things that you say or do? Forget 

conversations or appointments? 

Forget where you put things? 

• Handling complex tasks. Do you 

have trouble performing tasks that 

require many steps such as balancing 

a checkbook or cooking a meal? 

• Reasoning ability. Do you have 

trouble solving everyday problems 

at work or home, such as knowing 

what to do if the bathroom is 

flooded? 

• Spatial ability and orientation. Do 

you have trouble driving or finding 

your way around familiar places? 

• Language. Do you have trouble 

finding the words to express what 

you want to say? 

• Behaviour. Do you have trouble 

paying attention? Are you more 

irritable or less trusting than usual? 

Remember, everyone has occasional 

memory lapses. Just because you can't 

recall where you put the car keys doesn't 

mean you have Alzheimer's disease. 

When such lapses become frequent 

or dangerous, however, you should tell 

your doctor about them immediately. 

CelebInPerson 

You can’t put a good Beng down By Hazel Yong 

You can take a 

Singaporean out of 

the heartlands but 

you can’t take the 

heartlands out of a 

Singaporean. This is 

why actor-comediansinger 

Sebastian 

Tan struck gold with 

Singlish-spouting alterego, 

Broadway Beng. 

Relieve stress. Laugh 

with, or at him. It’s 

healthy, mah… 

YOU’LL know that certain artistes have 

‘made it’ when audiences start calling 

them by their stage names, like Jesseca 

Liu as Ruan Mian Mian from Portrait of 

Home or Roger Kwok as Ah Wang (HK 

serial Life Made Simple). 

The same can be said of Sebastian 

Tan. The winner of Channel 8’s singing 

competition Talent Search in 1996 has a 

string of theatre credits to his name such 

as Tidoudao and Forbidden City. He even 

scored a supporting role for Cameron 

MacKintosh’s Miss Saigon in 2004 and 

toured Britain for 13 months with an 

international cast. 

Despite his accomplishments, the 

34-year-old is affectionately known as 

Broadway Beng. The titular character 

hails from a 2006 comedy cabaret and is 

a singing-dancing hoodlum from Redhill 

trying his darnest to be cosmopolitan. 

OutramNow talks to Tan on how he keeps 

fit for his new show this May. 

What is a typical day for you like? 

Wake up, stretch, then go to the 

kopitiam downstairs with one of my chio 

buus (pretty women) for my favourite 

breakfast of kopi-O, egg and kaya toast. 

But it’s usually lunchtime when I arrive 

as sleep is important to keep one’s energy 

levels up. I unwind at the end of the 

day by watching TV with my mother 

and falling sleeping on the sofa. Erm… 

actually I think it’s her voice that makes 

me relax. It’s like a tape recorder: ‘Where 

did you go ah? Come home so late every 

night? Sell pirated DVD ah?’ I feel very 

gao weh (uneasy) if I don’t hear her voice 

every day. 

Describe your exercise regimen. How 

important is it for you to keep fit? 

Oh, very important. Otherwise, how 

to attract so many chio buus? I like to play 

para-para at Timezone arcade and go for 

karaoke on dates. That way I can exercise 

my lungs too. 

Do you play any sports? 

Track and field – you’ll never know 

when you have to run away from the mata 

(police). How often do I do it? Depends 

on how many times the mata tries to catch 

me lor! I’ll like to learn discus-throwing 

too, so I can do the same for my pirated 

DVDs. Can run faster from the mata 

when I have fewer things to carry. 

What is your favourite eating place and 

food? 

Yishun Block 288’s Lai Lai Lai 

kopitiam. Their shrimp paste chicken is 

very tok kong (powerful). 

How do you make sure you have a 

balanced diet? 

Balance? So long as your bank account 

is balanced then ho liao (good enough). 

Ok, ok. I love gourmet food like cockles, 

innards and fried pork lard but it’s not 

good to eat those kind of things everyday. 

I don’t like to eat too much kentang 

(potatoes) too as the toppings that go 

along with it like butter can be fattening 

but since rice is so expensive now… I also 

load up on vegetables and fruit. Eh, 

you can come to my stall in Geylang 

if you want to buy fruits like durians 

from Segamat, Malaysia. Bou jiak (taste 

guaranteed), I promise! Drinks-wise, I 

stock up on beer along with milk, Milo 

and Chinese tea. It’s all about balance 

mah. 

You look quite fair for an Ah Beng. 

How do you maintain that stageworthy 

clear complexion of yours? 

Ah Bengs are generally fair-skinned 

because we spend our days at the KTV 

or disco. Just don’t go under the sun too 

much. You never see the chio buu on 

TV saying that UV rays are very bad 

for your skin? Too much sun and your 

face will look like langgar lorry (ugly). 

Which organ are you most worried 

about and why? 

My Yamaha organ. Difficult to use 

so I try not to abuse it before I learn to 

play it properly. 

Err, not quite the type of organ we are 

referring to but never mind. There’s 

the saying that laughter is the best 

medicine. What is your take on it? 

Of course! Unless you laugh until 

your kor ka lau (pants drop) then it’s 

your problem already! 

Complete the sentence: With good 

health I can… 

Yo-ah-yo (dance and dance) and chiu 

gwa (sing songs) for you at Broadway 

Beng! 3. Come and watch hor. 

Broadway Beng! 3 geleks into Drama 

Centre Theatre from May 2 to 11. 

Tickets at $37, $47, $57 and $67, visit 

www.dreamacademy.com.sg or www. 

sistic.com.sg for details.


4/25/08 3:49:23 PM 

May/Jun 2008 17 

AtHome 

Is your mattress hurting your back? 

IF your mattress does not provide 

adequate support for your spine, you 

may wake up with pain in your back and 

a general feeling of restlessness. What 

you lie on can affect the quality of your 

sleep, so do check if you are using a 

suitable mattress. 

Overly hard mattress 

If your current mattress is too hard, 

place a foam sheet about 5cm thick 

on top of it. Hold the foam sheet in 

place to your mattress with a fitted 

sheet. Sleep on this combination for 

a week to check if you still suffer from 

back pain. 

If the pain decreases, continue 

using the combination of foam sheet 

and existing mattress. Or buy a new 

mattress altogether. 

Mattress is too soft 

If your mattress is too soft or sags 

when you lie on it, you can firm up the 

base by laying it on the floor. Sleep on 

it this way for a week. If you feel better, 

place a board between the mattress and 

the base of your bed. Or start shopping 

for a firmer mattress. 

Using a night roll 

Another way to prevent back pain 

when you sleep is to support your lower 

back using a night roll. This will support 

the hollow in your back while you are 

lying on your side or back. 

To make your own night roll, fold a 

bath towel so that it is wide enough to 

fit three-quarters of the length around 

your waist. Place a folded towel on a 

flat surface and put an old belt across it 

so that the belt sticks out past the edges 

of the towel. Roll the towel up and bind 

it with tape to keep the arrangement 

in place. 

When you go to bed, fasten the belt 

around your waist so that the night roll 

is in the hollow of your back. Make 

sure that the night roll is tight enough 

so that it does not move up and down as 

you sleep. The size of the roll will vary 

from person to person. 

In general, the roll should fill the 

hollow at your waist when you lie 

on your side, and support the hollow 

in your low back when you are lying 

flat. The roll should not cause you any 

discomfort. If it does, you should adjust 

it immediately. 

Tips provided by the SGH Physiotherapy 

Department. 

Where Doctors Learn 

The following courses will be held at the SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute 

Block 6 Level 1 from 1 pm to 5 pm. 

For General Practitioners 

Update on Management of Upper Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Disease 

17 May 

Update on Obstetrics & Gynaecology 

28 June 

Common Conditions of the Hand 

5 July 

For Medical Officers 

1-day FACT Workshop 

(Fundamentals of Airway & Central Line Insertion Techniques) 

31 May 

8.45 am – 4.15 pm 

Pre-registration is required. Details at www.pgmi.com.sg 

GiftOfLife 

All it takes is just 60 

minutes of your time today, 

to save lives tomorrow. 

Visit Bloodbank@HSA at 

Outram Road. 

For more information, 

call 6220 0183. 

You can also log on to: 

www.redcross.org.sg 

www.donorweb.org 

Every 6 minutes, someone is in 

need of blood or blood product. 

InTheKnow 

About 

Mammogram 

What is a mammogram? This is 

a specialised examination of the 

breasts using dedicated low dose X- 

ray equipment. Images of the breasts 

are obtained from various angles and 

involve firm compression of the breasts. 

What is mammogram used for? It 

is mainly used as a screening procedure 

to detect early signs of breast cancer. 

If you have a palpable breast lump, the 

doctor may order a mammogram to 

assess the nature of the lump. Further 

investigations such as breast ultrasound 

or needle biopsy, may also be necessary 

to obtain a final diagnosis. 

What happens during a 

mammogram? A female radiographer 

will ask you several questions related to 

breast problems, previous breast surgery 

or hormone usage. She will also examine 

your breasts for lumps. Images will then 

be taken of each breast. You will be 

asked to stand beside the mammography 

machine. The radiographer will position 

your breast onto an imaging support 

table. A special plastic plate will be 

lowered slowly onto your breast, to hold 

and compress your breast during the 

examination. 

What can I expect during the 

examination? During compression, you 

may experience tightness and discomfort 

but this will last only for a few seconds. 

Firm compression of your breasts will 

help produce a high quality mammogram 

with good details as well as reduce the 

radiation dose to your breasts. 

Do try to hold your breath and not 

move for the short time when the 

images are being taken. 

How do I prepare for it? There is no 

restriction on your food or fluid intake 

and you can continue taking your 

medication, if any. For your convenience, 

do wear a two-piece outfit like a blouse 

and skirt or trousers, instead of a dress. 

Do not use any powder on your breasts 

or armpits on the day of examination. 

Remove all jewellery from your upper 

body, especially necklaces. 

Information provided by 

Mammography Centre, Department of 

Diagnostic Radiology, SGH


4/28/08 11:55:14 AM 

18 May/Jun 2008 

ReadAndRelax 

Collins Cholesterol Counter 

By Kate Santon, Collins, $17.50 

Distributed by Pansing, Tel: 6319 9939 

The Juice Fasting Bible 

By Sandra Cabot, M.D, Ulysses Press, $23 

Distributed by MPH, Tel: 6450 6071 

The fats about cholesterol 

“A high cholesterol level alone is likely to be responsible for 46 per cent of all 

premature deaths from coronary heart disease in Britain.” As a developed country, 

similar numbers might soon apply to Singapore. While many try and avoid 

cholesterol, most people need to have a fuller picture. If so the Collins Cholesterol 

Counter is excellent for understanding. 

Besides tables of food types (biscuits, meats, fruit, sauces, etc) and their fat 

contents per 100g or 100ml broken into total fat, total calories and then saturated, 

monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and cholesterol, the book comes with a 

comprehensive explanation of cholesterol, BMI, cardiovascular disease, fat types, 

and tips. For example, for a low-fat salad dressing for four to six people, pour two 

tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a clean jar with a lid. Add a tablespoon of 

white wine vinegar, the juice of a lemon, one teaspoon of Dijon mustard, thyme 

leaves and ground black pepper. Fasten the lid and shake the jar vigorously. Increase 

the quantity of mustard for a stronger flavour. 

From the book – “If you take a fish oil supplement to make sure you get enough 

omega-3 you should check that the dose it provides is adequate. Look for the EPA 

(eicosopentatonic acid) and DHA (docosohexanoic acid) figures – to gain the 

benefits, you need 450mg of combined EPA and DHA very day. Most gel capsules 

provide much less; a 1000mg capsule of fish oil, for instance, might contain 180mg 

of EPA and 120mg of DHA. A teaspoonful of cod liver oil, though it may seem 

initially off-putting, provides more than double that, so do check the labels on 

supplements and make sure you know what you’re buying.” 

Potatoes not Prozac 

By Kathleen DesMaisons, Ph.D, Addictive 

Nutrition, Simon & Schuster, $25 


Have your potato 

Kathleen DesMaisons used her training as a nutritionist to understand why she 

was fat and depressed. She realised she was sugar sensitive as many of us are. So, she 

designed a diet plan which looks very sensible and veers away from extremes like 

no-carb, but that deals with the chemical imbalance she claims contributes to food 

cravings and low self-esteem. If you have a sweet tooth or drink too much alcohol, 

you could possibly benefit from understanding how the brain chemicals serotonin 

and beta-endorphin affect us. Tick the boxes that apply to you. More than half? 

You’re a likely Sugar-Sensitive. 

I really like sweet foods. 

I eat a lot of sweets. 

I am very fond of bread, cereal, popcorn, and/or pasta. 

I now have or once had a problem with alcohol or drugs. 

One or both of my parents are/were alcoholic. 

I am overweight and don’t seem to be able to easily lose the extra pounds. 

I continue to be depressed no matter what I do. 

I often find myself overreacting to stress. 

I have a history of anger that sometimes surprises even me. 

She advises keeping a food diary to record what you eat and how you feel 

emotionally and physically. For meals, stick to three well-spaced main meals starting 

with breakfast within an hour after waking, and that includes protein. Who can 

argue with the sense of eating a breakfast comprising a complex carbohydrate and 

protein right for your weight? What is hard is giving up snacks and getting into the 

habit of having a potato (with the skin) before bedtime. What’s with the potato and 

Prozac connection? Read the book to find out. 

Fast way to detox 

In the 1930s, Susannah Dalton, then in her 20s, was stricken with a form of kidney 

disease called glomerulonephritis which caused her immune system to attack 

her kidneys resulting in widespread inflammation. In those days, medical science 

had no treatment for her and she was left to die. Susannah was Sandra Cabot’s 

grandmother. Medical doctor Sandra Cabot, author of the Juice Fasting Bible, is 

convinced that it was the diet of raw juices that saved her grandmother, extending 

her life by another 50 years. 

“Fortunately, Grandfather Harry was a dietitian and a man truly ahead of his time. 

He took my grandmother home from the hospital and started her on a program of 

drinking raw juices. Every hour on the hour, he gave her a glass of raw juice, which 

he made alternately from produce that grew below ground (root vegetables) and 

produce growing above ground Over six weeks, my grandmother gradually regained 

her health, as the kidney inflammation settled down and her kidneys resumed their 

normal function. In effect, the concentrated minerals, vitamins and antioxidants in 

the juices calmed her immune system and put out the fire of acute inflammation.” 

Susannah Dalton lived to 78. 

While some experts believe that the body is capable of handling detoxification 

on its own by eating more natural foods, Dr Cabot and practitioners of alternative 

medicine are convinced that “modern-day living exposes us to far too many chemicals 

and other synthetic substances than the average body can adequately handle. As a 

result, many of these toxins are stored (most often in fat cells) and continue to build 

up and accumulate until the toxin ‘dam’ begins to crack, so to speak, leaking poisons 

into the bloodstream and sending them coursing through the body. Also, because 

we are living longer than our parents and earlier generations, time alone can lead to 

a more-extensive accumulation of toxins. 

“Excess toxins can cause everything from skin rashes, headaches, liver disease, 

chronic fatigue, and weight gain to much more serious illnesses.” 

This is easy to believe. What’s tough is walking the talk. To be sustained on just juice 

for two days or more takes a lot of determination. Dr Cabot advises going organic 

and suggests combinations for a multitude of conditions eg: to prevent macular 

degeneration, reduce period pain, help with anxiety, reduce cellulite, boost energy, 

reduce bloating or kidney stones, prevent gum disease and so on. If you can’t manage 

to live on just juice, try juicing for breakfast or dinner. 

Best Health Resources on the Web 

By Harlan R. Weinberg, MD, Collins, $25 


Reliable health information 

You get emails with all kinds of health advice? So do we, and it can be hard 

to tell what to believe. Dr Weinberg, director of the medical intensive care unit 

of Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt Kisco, New York, put together a list of 

websites because “patients and health care professionals alike are faced with the 

problem of information overload and need a means of choosing current, reliable, 

and academically sound resources. This educational reference guide will help focus 

your medical search, improving your efficiency in selecting the most appropriate 

medical information.” 

He advises starting with General Health Resources for an overview, before 

going to specific clinical topics. In alphabetical order, it’s easy to search whether it’s 

alternative medicine or hypertension. There’s also a listing of respectable medical 

journals like The Lancet, Merck Medicus and The Journal of the American Medical 

Association.


4/28/08 11:33:34 AM 

May/Jun 2008 19 

CelebInPerson 

Charmaine 'Shehs' beauty secrets 

We should all be oh-so jealous of Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh. The 

food-loving TVB princess has little time for exercise thanks to her gruelling work 

schedule. Yet she’s slim as a reed. How does she do it? 

By Leong Wai Kit 

IT’S really easy to look good and stay 

healthy, says Charmaine Sheh the super 

svelte TVB Princess. 

“Just be happy. If you’re happy and 

optimistic, you’ll naturally be pretty,” 

Sheh says matter-of-factly to the ire of 

every woman who’s dieted or worked out 

to get rid of flab. 

Deliciously slim 

“Share, share,” she says between 

mouthfuls of her high tea snacks at the 

start of this interview. But even as the 

starving princess chomps down on an 

assortment of colourful pastries and 

savoury breads – she still manages to look 

gorgeous. 

Dressed like a Greek-goddess in a 

silky pearl-white knee-length dress, 

Charmaine explains apologetically in 

Cantonese: “Sorry for eating during the 

interview, but I’m having some gastric 

pain.” But she adds quickly that she does 

not suffer from gastric pains very often. 

Apart from beef, the super svelte Sheh 

– who owes her figure to a daily hulahoop 

exercise routine started in her school 

days – says she enjoys eating everything 

else, without having to worry about her 

weight. 

Sheh, along with colleagues Myolie 

Wu, Kevin Cheng, Bobby Au Yeung, 

Wong Hei and Bosco Wong, were 

in Singapore to lend star strength to 

StarHub Digital Cable in January, for its 

soft launch of TVBS News, a Mandarin 

news channel to be aired later this year. 

Since her arrival the day before, the 

actress had been craving for barbequed 

stingray from Lau Pa Sat. 

“You can find all kinds of food in 

Hong Kong, but I just can’t seem to get 

barbequed stingray there,” she says in 

mock exasperation. 

Busy queen 

Sheh was crowned second runner up 

in the 1997 Miss Hong Kong Pageant. 

Like most “gang jies” (Mandarin for Miss 

Hong Kong beauty queens), she started 

her acting career with TVB shortly after. 

Though showbiz is a lot of hard work, 

she enjoys her acting. 

“I’ve tried working without sleep for as 

long as four nights in a row,” she reveals, 

when asked about her most stressful 

period during her decade in showbiz. 

“It’s all about determination,” she says 

straight faced. 

Luckily, her hard work has paid off. 

Today, Sheh is considered to be one of 

TVB’s most prized actresses, thanks to 

a winning combination of hard work, 

beauty, and acting skills. 

Her latest TVB trophies are the 2006 

Best Actress and My Favourite Female TV 

Character Awards, following her hit series 

Maiden’s Vow, where she convincingly 

multi-tasked four roles that spanned four 

generations. 

“When I’m free, I try to relax by 

spending time alone or go out with friends 

whenever I can. I also go for massage and 

facial sessions. I love them.” 

Grow fat and old? No way 

So, is there any role this versatile drama 

princess cannot handle? 

“Oh, I won’t take on roles that require 

me to put on weight,” Sheh says. “It’s not 

that I don’t want to, but I simply can’t get 

fat.” 

“I also won’t play an elderly person,” she 

says. “But not because I fear growing old,” 

she adds. “I had to play an aged woman 

for just one scene (in an upcoming drama) 

and already, the heavy make-up left an 

effect on my skin. 

“My skin was all wrinkly after I removed 

the make up. And to my horror, it lasted 

for three hours,” Sheh says, widening her 

eyes. “I panicked because I was so afraid 

it would be permanent. I had to go for a 

facial session immediately.”


4/25/08 3:50:12 PM 

20 May/Jun 2008 

TheDoctor'sIn 

Will her past affect her fertility? 

Q 

My wife had two 

abortions before we got 

married. She stopped 

taking her contraceptive 

pills since our honeymoon last year. 

We want to start a family soon as we 

are already in our late 30s. Before our 

wedding, we went for check-ups and 

got the all-clear. I am afraid she will 

have difficulties conceiving due to her 

past. Should I be worried? 

A 

A woman goes through 

risks each time she 

undergoes an abortion or 

what’s medically termed 

as termination of pregnancy. These 

include infection, damage to the uterus 

or womb and injury to the cervix which 

is neck of the uterus. 

Multiple or previous abortions may 

result in scarring of tissues in the uterus 

or blockage in the fallopian tubes. This 

could prevent the eggs from moving 

freely in the fallopian tubes from the 

ovaries. 

If you are concerned, both of 

you can see a fertility specialist for 

specific investigations to exclude these 

conditions and determine why your 

wife is unable to conceive. As she 

is in her late thirties, an assessment 

of her ovarian reserve is important 

to determine both the quality and 

quantity of eggs in her ovaries. 

I would also recommend you to 

undergo a sperm analysis test. This 

measures the quality and quantity of 

sperm a man produces. 

As these are specific investigations 

to determine a couple’s fertility, they 

are not normally done during routine 

pre-marital health screening. 

Dr Yu Su Ling, 

Senior Consultant, 

Department of 

Obstetrics and 

Gynaecology, SGH. 

Email your health-related questions 

to editor@sgh.com.sg The reply 

provided is for your information 

only. You should consult a doctor or 

seek treatment for your condition. 

FromTheHeart 

In my mentor’s footsteps 

“ 

His gentle and kind eyes exuded confidence in me every time. Lean, with 

excellent posture and adorned by crisply ironed long sleeved shirt, he had an approachable 

demeanor. 

‘Image, appearance and perception can make or break a doctor’, he said. In our 

conversations, he was always passionate, driven and he knew his subject matter well. 

Patients, relatives, junior and senior colleagues respected him. They emulated him and 

always wanted to ‘tap on his mind’. 

That is just a brief description of my medical mentor and role model. I only crossed paths 

with him later in my career after I qualified as an Emergency Medicine specialist. But the 

past ten years have changed my life. It was wonderful and exciting as I learnt and shared 

many of his life principles as a doctor, teacher, researcher, missionary volunteer, father and 

friend. 

His life was complete and he taught me much about personal growth and development. 

I learnt to be realistic and have broadened my perspectives on life beyond medicine while 

maintaining the best work-life balance. Good communications was the crux of his practice 

and life and he influenced me to champion communications, which I do so now. I learnt 

about the empowerment of self and others (junior doctors, trainees, other members of the 

healthcare team), appreciation and recognition of others and all about satisfaction. 

In teaching, he taught me how to be effective and remembered, and how to acknowledge 

when you do not know all the answers. In research, my mentor imparted and shared with 

me the art of being inquisitive. 

After retiring recently, he led humanitarian missions to Third World countries and rural 

areas around the world. Indeed, in his career and life, serving his fellowmen has been his 

best work. 

He taught me to love and know myself before I can love and understand others, including 

patients. He also imparted the importance of life long learning because as 

he put it, ‘once a doctor stops learning, he ‘dies’. 

It was also he, who said, ‘When looking for a leader, you need not look 

outside yourself ”’. This doctor has made a huge impact on my life and 

career. He may not realise it but I am so thankful and grateful our paths 

have crossed. 

Dr Fatimah Lateef is Senior Consultant of Department 

of Emergency Medicine, SGH. 

By Dr Fatimah Lateef 

HealthBits 

Waist away 

Worried about heart health? As we all know, abdominal flab 

seems the hardest to shift. While we work out to bring down 

our body mass index (BMI), we need to keep an eye on 

visceral fat. This is the deep underlying fat in the abdomen 

and surrounding organs like the stomach, liver and kidneys. 

More than the BMI, doctors feel that the amount of 

visceral fat is the greater predictor of heart disease and 

diabetes. Visceral fat is difficult to measure with a measuring 

tape or regular scale. 

A new product called the body composition scale can be 

used. It uses full-body sensing technology to specifically calculate the amount of 

hidden fat. Check with your pharmacist. 

Bulls, bears and testosterone 

Could the male hormone testosterone 

have anything to do with the bull 

and bear markets? Two researchers 

who ran a test with 17 traders in 

London think so. They say the higher 

the testosterone level in the body, 

the more money the traders made, 

reports the www.newscientist.com 

Saliva samples were taken from 

the traders two times a day for eight 

days. The male hormone levels were 

measured against the amounts of 

money the traders lost or won to 

arrive at the conclusion. One of the 

researchers, Mr John Coates said his study shows the bubbles and crashes of the 

market could be hormone driven. It must be the hunter instinct at play. 

Stomach that trip 

Tempting meats and foods at roadside 

stalls during a holiday can be too much 

to resist. But, bear in mind that at least 

two out of three travelers suffer bouts 

of diarrhoea by eating at roadside 

stalls, reports The New York Times in 

an article on travel on its website www. 

nytimes.com. 

Weather changes over a short period 

of time and poor access to clean water 

can also take a heavy toll on the body. 

Singapore’s Health Promotion Board 

says frequent travelers should exercise 

regularly and also eat a balanced diet 

to build up immunity. 

If you have a cold country in mind for your next holiday, it’s advisable to also 

consider a flu shot about two weeks before your trip. Here are more tips for you to 

really have a good holiday: 

Wherever you are, wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If water is 

likely to be a problem, pack an alcoholic hand rub. 

Drink only bottled water. Use this for rinsing your mouth as well. 

 

During travel, try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth without washing your 

hands. Carry small packs of tissue or wet tissues with you. 

 

Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels and bedding with others. 

 

Use a serving spoon when eating from a common plate. 

Source: www.hpb.org.sg


4/25/08 3:50:37 PM 

May/Jun 2008 21 

EatWell 

Baked Vegetable Cutlets 

4 SERVINGS 

80 g mixed vegetables 

1 dried Chinese mushroom, soaked to 

soften and chopped 

pinch of coriander leaves 

200 g potatoes, cooked and mashed 

½ tsp oil 

1 tsp sesame oil 

1 slice ginger 

pinch of pepper 

¼ tsp salt 

1 tsp cornflour 

METHOD 

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add sesame oil 

and ginger and fry until fragrant. 

Discard the ginger. 

2. Add mixed vegetables, mushroom 

and coriander leaves, and fry well. 

3. Add this mixture to mashed potato. 

4. Season with pepper and salt. 

5. Cool to room temperature. 

A treasure trove of medical history 

6. Divide potato mixture into 8 portions. 

7. Shape each portion into a cutlet. 

8. Sprinkle corn flour on the surface of 

the cutlet. 

9. Grill in the oven until golden. 

10. Remove from the oven and serve. 

ESTIMATED NUTRIENT 

CONTENT (PER SERVING) 

Energy 

Carbohydrate 

Protein 

Fat 

Sodium 

Cholesterol 

76 kcal 

14 gm 

2 gm 

2 gm 

157 mg 

0 mg 

CHEF’S TIP 

Keep sesame oil bottles in a cool, 

dark place to prevent loss of flavour 

and aroma. 

This recipe is from “Where is the Fat?” cookbook, a compilation of healthier dishes created by the SGH Dietetics & Nutrition Services. The cookbook is sold at the SGH Block 4 Pharmacy for $26.40. 

There are some 160 artefacts at the 

Museum including medical equipment 

used in the yesteryears as well as doctors’ 

notes on significant findings on various 

diseases. 

The SGH Museum was officially 

opened by President S R Nathan in May 

2005. It is housed at Bowyer Block, the 

only remaining structure of the original 

general hospital built in 1926. 

SGH Museum 

Bowyer Block 

(near Public car park C) 

Opening hours : 

10 am – 8 pm Tuesday 

to Sunday 

Closed on Monday & 

public holidays 

Admission: Free 

For educational and 

group tours, 

call 6326 5294. 

RECENT developments at Outram 

Campus are fast transforming the 

landscape of this well-known medical 

hub but the history and achievements of 

Singapore General Hospital are being 

kept alive at its very own museum. 

You can learn about the medical 

pioneers who helped the 187-year-old 

Hospital earned a place in this country’s 

history. The luminaries include Dr 

Ernest Monteiro, champion of anti- 

Diphtheria jabs and Dr Benjamin 

Sheares, a pioneer in Obstetrics & 

Gynaecology. Their contributions are 

honoured through life-sized animated 

figures bearing their likeness (photo). 

Audiovisual and multimedia 

technologies are used to present 

information on the development 

of medical specialties in Singapore. 

Visitors can freely explore various 

interactive exhibits while learning more 

about the changing role of healthcare 

services in Singapore. 

Contest 

Win a $50 SGH Museum gift pack comprising an 

umbrella, a cap, a T-shirt, a Polo T-shirt, a fridge magnet 

and a mug. 

To be one of 10 lucky winners, just answer this question: 

The SGH Museum is housed at the Bowyer Block which was 

built in 1926. True/ False 

Email your reply, name, address and contact number to editor@sgh.com.sg 

Closing date: 6 June 2008 

* Duplicate entries will be disqualified. * All correct entries will be entered into a lucky draw to be conducted at the 

SGH Communications Office on 9 June 2008. * Ten winners will be picked and notified by email on the collection of 

their prizes. * Their names will be published in the next issue of OutramNow. * All entries will be included in a mailing 

list for OutramNow.


4/28/08 10:52:56 AM 

22 May/Jun 2008 

“ 

Bouquets 

I read the 1st birthday issue and just want to say what a great job your 

team has done! One of its attractiveness is that it does not look and feel like a 

corporate newsletter but a professionally put-together newspaper! Kudos to 

the design, layout and content matter… 

I particularly liked the story on pain management and the interview with Hong 

Kong star Ekin Cheng which adds some glamour to OutramNow… Perhaps SGH 

might want to send OutramNow for competition to win some accolades for the 

efforts and thoughtfulness put into it… Keep up the good work! 

” 

- T C Lai, Director of Whitespace Communications LLC 

“ 

In August last year after discovering blood in my urine, 

I sought treatment at SGH’s Department of Urology. My 

attending doctor was Dr Lim Kok Bin (photo). After careful 

assessment, Dr Lim confi rmed a growth in my urinary tract, 

and surgery was needed to remove the growth for further 

testing. 

I underwent the operation on 29 Jan 2008 and was 

hospitalised for 12 days. Throughout my stay, Dr Lim never 

failed to see me twice daily to monitor my progress. Even on 

the second day of the Lunar New Year, Dr Lim arrived bright and early to visit 

me. I am deeply touched by his professionalism and concern for his patients. 

In addition, the nurses of Ward 55B Room 28 were very professional and 

demonstrated great teamwork… They were also approachable and would try 

their best to meet the patient’s needs, never once complaining... My hospital 

stay was very heartwarming and reassuring. 

” 

- Du Hai Quan whose letter was fi rst published 

in the Forum page of Lianhe Zaobao on 18 March. 

“ 

I am a foreigner undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital. I fi nd 

SGH a very, very good hospital. The doctors are very competent, professional 

and caring. Other staff are very helpful and responsible. If I was never referred 

to SGH, I don’t think I would be alive to write this. Words can say so little when 

SGH doctors & staff have done so much for me. My words are not enough to 

fully convey how much their thoughtfulness have brightened my day. 

The information and medical knowledge in OutramNow are very useful, 

educational and important to our lives… thank you. 

” 

- Mak Sock Cheng lives in Melaka, Malaysia and travels 

to Singapore every three months for her appointments at SGH. 

“ 

Eight months after my thyroid surgery, the only reminder 

is a 4 cm surgical scar at the base of my throat. 

I am very grateful to my surgeon Dr Ranjiv Sivanandan 

(photo) for his superb surgical skills and great compassion. I 

was very nervous and in tears in the operating theatre. Before 

being put to sleep, I asked him for a nice, small scar if possible. 

Dr Ranjiv squeezed my hand and promised to do his best. And 

he granted my wish without affecting the surgical outcome. 

For this, I thank him from the bottom of my heart. 

” 

- Karen Teng, editor of OutramNow 

who underwent surgery last September. 

“ 

On March 16, I was at the Singapore General Hospital. I 

approached Madam Chua Kim Gek (photo), assistant manager 

of the Patient Education Library for information on gastritis, 

hypothyroidism and osteoarthritis. She photocopied some 

papers for me. Three days later, I was surprised to receive 

more information in my mailbox. 

” 

- Lum Jan Tseng whose letter first appeared in the 

Straits Times Forum Page on April 17. 

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Unlike CH-Alpha, glucosamine-based products have never been proven in humans 

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CH-Alpha has seen its effectiveness demonstrated in more than 14 scientific 

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No.3 Lorong Liput #02-08 Holland V Shopping Mall S(277725) 

Opposite crystal jade kitchen, Bus No: Holland Ave - 95,48,61,106,970 / Holland Rd - 7,95,165,61,75,77,970 

Tel: 6468 4948 / 6468 4946 Fax: 6468 8344 

Email: medica@pacific.net.sg Website: www.medica-solutions.com


4/25/08 3:51:18 PM 

ArtsForHealth 

HAPPENINGS 

ArtsFest@Outram Campus specially presents the following free 

performances at the SGH Fountain Garden at Block 7 Level 1 

from 7 pm to 7.45 pm. 

May/Jun 2008 23 

Full bloom only at SGH 

Kitchen Percussion 

Watch percussionists cook up a 

rhythmic storm with pots, pans and 

other kitchen utensils. 

4 June, Wednesday 

Drum Revolution 

Experience unique drum performance 

that combines Chinese martial art 

with calligraphy and dance by Chong 

Cheng High Festival Drum Troupe. 

5 June, Thursday 

Energy Beyond 

Be among the first to catch vibrant original contemporary dance performances 

by young talents from Odyssey Dance Theatre. 

6 June, Friday 

CalendarOfEvents 

Arts for Health aims to provide quality caring 

environment and promote good health in SGH through 

the arts. Patients, visitors, staff and the community 

can participate in creative arts programmes such as 

concerts, workshops and exhibitions that bring healing 

to the body, mind and soul. 

SGH is the first hospital to receive the National Arts 

Council Supporter Awards 2005 in recognition of our 

promotional artistic activities. 

Rectal bleeding & abdominal pain – is it Irritable Bowel 

Syndrome or colorectal cancer? How do probiotics and 

prebiotics fibre help? 

DROP by the gardens beside SGH 

blocks 5 and 7 and you will be in 

for a visual treat. Nestled among 

the greenery are colourful ‘flowers’ 

handmade from paper petals and 

balloons by the Hospital’s patients, 

visitors and staff. 

Over 4,000 of these unique blooms 

bearing handwritten messages of love 

and hope, were created in arts and craft 

sessions held outside the Specialist 

Outpatient Clinics during the year end 

school holidays last year. 

Twenty students from NorthLight 

School were roped in to attach the 

flowers to stems and plant them in the 

gardens. This community art project 

was completed in five months. 

You can view this picturesque display 

at the gardens until the end of June. 

Date 

:17 May 2008, Saturday 

Time 

:12.30 pm – 3 pm (English session) 

: 3 pm – 5.30 pm (Mandarin session) 

Venue 

: Auditorium at HDB Hub Convention Centre, Toa Payoh 

Event description : Topics covered include diagnosis & treatment of colorectal cancer, 

colonoscopy as well as the roles of probiotics and prebiotics fi bre. 

Admission : Free 

Registration : Pre-registration required by 13 May 

Enquiries : 6321 4298 or 6321 4677 (English) 

: 6321 4671 or 6326 3616 (Mandarin) 

Improve your lifestyle & enhance your fertility 

Why is my child not speaking well? 

Date 

: 24 May 2008, Saturday 

Time 

: 2 pm – 5 pm 

Venue : SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute, Block 6 Level 1 

Event description : Topics covered include common childhood hearing problems, causes 

of speech and language delay as well as treatment options. 

Admission : Free 

Registration : Pre-registration required by 19 May 

Enquiries : 6326 6872 

Email 

: golisten@sgh.com.sg 

Colorectal cancer – Stop It, Treat It, Beat It 

Date 

: 24 May 2008, Saturday 

Time 

: 2 pm – 5pm 

Date 

: 7 June 2008, Saturday 

Venue : Auditorium, Level 7 

Time 

: 2 pm – 5.30 pm (English session) 

Health Promotion Board, 

3 Second Hospital Avenue 

Event description : Learn how you can make minor changes in your lifestyle to enhance 

your fertility. Our experts will also shed light on the truth about fertility problems. Also, get 

contracting one of the most common cancers in Singapore. 

all the answers you need on In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). 

Admission : For ticket holders only 

Admission : $10 per couple 

Registration 

Registration : Pre-registration required and cheque payment by 23 May 

Enquiries : 6284 1785 

Enquiries : SISTIC hotline: 6348 5555 

Email 

: sales@dezarnet.com 

For more information on other SGH programme and services, log on to www.sgh.com.sg 

Venue : Suntec Convention Centre, Ballroom 2 

Event description : Join our panel of experts who will be sharing information on 

screening and treatment options for colorectal cancer. Learn how you can cut your risks of 

: Tickets available through SISTIC authorised agents or 

www.sistic.com.sg


4/25/08 3:51:35 PM 

24 May/Jun 2008

Smoking can cost you your leg - Singapore General Hospital

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