Tina Tan
It has been pointed out to me that newer readers may not be clear why SMA News features letters from our students from the Singapore Medical Society of the United Kingdom. I drew inspiration for this column from the late Alistair Cooke, a British journalist who was well-known for his radio broadcast Letter from America, which detailed his life in America for BBC listeners. Having heard some of his recordings a long time ago, I felt there was a need for our readers to have some insight into the life of our medical students who are studying overseas. Our students in the UK have, in turn, shown great enthusiasm for showcasing the eye-opening experience of life abroad, the things they miss about home (a common theme is the food), and of course, their medical training. Thus, our Letters from the UK series was born.
Then there is also the fact that the SMA Annual Dinner is always a fun-filled event to attend, even though I like to tell people that, for me, I have to work for part of it due to my responsibilities as a Council member. For the enjoyment of our readers, may I direct you to the speech given by our President Dr Daniel Lee Hsien Chieh (see page 12), the Citation for our Guest of Honour Dr Ng Eng Hen by A/Prof Prema Raj (see page 14), and last but not least, Dr Ng's heartwarming and humorous musings delivered that evening (see page 16).
Yap Qi Rou
Attending the SMA Annual Dinner this year was a much welcome pause from the hectic pace of clinical work. It was my first time attending, and the evening offered more than just opportunities to meet new people and catch up with familiar faces. It also allowed us a moment to reflect on the broader forces shaping our profession.
From the vantage point of a junior doctor, our daily focus is naturally on the immediate needs of our patients – what are my differentials, what medications do I order or stop? Discussions on broader topics can sometimes feel a tad removed from the immediacy of our daily practice. Dr Daniel Lee Hsien Chieh's speech on the evolving challenges in healthcare, particularly around healthcare financing, medical inflation and insurance regulation gives us a gentle reminder that each and everyone has their part to play in developing and maintaining the sustainability of healthcare in Singapore.
A common theme of the night which I am sure resonated deeply with all of us was trust. Our patients' trust in us, our trust in our fellow colleagues and our Government. Dr Ng Eng Hen's reflections on his own personal journey showed us that trust is not just important in politics or systems but also in everyday interactions, helping us foster a strong doctor-patient relationship and improving the consistency of our healthcare.
Once a medical student myself, I also am heartened to hear about the great, continued efforts to support students who aspire to pursue medicine, through incentives such as the SMA Medical Students' Assistance Fund. Being a doctor is a calling and should not be limited by financial circumstances, and such efforts ensure the profession remains open to those with the ability and commitment to serve.
Finally, I would like to thank all who attended and contributed to the evening. As we look forward, I wish everyone a meaningful and rewarding year ahead!
Welcome Aboard
Dr Ivan Low is a military medical officer serving in the Singapore Navy and an A&E senior resident in Singapore Health Services. At the current stage of his career, he finds himself balancing both ends of the spectrum – keeping sailors healthy and operationally effective on one hand, and resuscitating critically ill patients on the other.
He has been serving on the SMA Council and Doctors-in-Training Committee since 2020, and is passionate about medical education and junior doctor support. When not replying emails, he can be found relaxing at the park with his loved ones, his dog and a cup of kopi c peng (siew dai).
The SMA News Editorial Board, led by Editor Dr Tina Tan and Deputy Editor Dr Chie Zhi Ying, meets regularly to discuss the latest topics relevant to the profession and how best to invite and publish articles on these topics to inform, educate and update our Members. To find out more about our Editorial Board members and our work, visit https://www.sma.org.sg/page/About-SMA-News.
