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Source:
www.gov.sg
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Protecting Singaporeans Is Everyone's Job |
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Speech By Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan on 08
Apr 2008 |
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We are here to pay tribute to two groups of
individuals who went the extra mile to protect our health. We are safer
today because of their prompt and effective actions. |
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First, our “chikungunya-warriors”.
When I first read of chikungunya many years ago, I thought it
was some kind of a fruit. But it turned out to be a new virus
which had jumped species from fruit bats to human beings in
Africa. |
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With globalisation, it gradually spread to
South Asia and then S E Asia. It is now in our neighbourhood, including
Malaysia and Indonesia. I know that one day it would also come to reside
in Singapore, like dengue. |
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When the first local cluster was detected in
Little India, we went all out to prevent it from gaining a foothold
here. Frankly speaking, I was pessimistic that we could succeed. But we
did. Thanks to many of you in this room today. |
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Second, our “walnut-crackers”. With the
demand for Viagra and similar drugs, we know that counterfeits will
surface and try to con consumers looking for a cheaper fix. |
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We cannot protect consumers 100% and prevent
all accidents. But if our doctors are alert and our inspectors are quick
to act, we can minimize casualties. This was what happened when the
illegal product, Power 1 Walnut, surfaced in this market. Our
“nutcrackers” were swift in their action. |
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Although the events were different in
nature, both teams shared three common qualities. |
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ALERTNESS & QUICK ACTION |
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First, they were alert and quick. When
chikungunya tried to sneak into Little India, we were lucky to have Dr
Lily Sarma, a vigilant GP at the fort. She was alert to the symptoms of
her patient and she was quick to report to MOH of her suspicion. Her
action has allowed public health officers to step in immediately and
prevent the spread of the disease. |
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In the case of Power1 Walnut, the alarm was
sounded by Dr Kao Shih Ling in NUH. She alerted HSA to her observation
after attending to three patients with similar symptoms. HSA's quick
laboratory analysis and swift actions have contained the potential harm
posed to more people. |
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TEAMWORK & COLLABORATION |
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Second, they collaborated and worked well as
a team. Singaporeans’ instinct to unite and fight a common enemy is one
of our strengths. When confronted with a common threat, the public,
private and people sectors work and collaborate as one Singapore. In
both incidents, there was trust and confidence in each other. |
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I am particularly impressed with the strong
show of public-spiritedness. In Little India, several owners and
managers allowed us to set up screening centres within their buildings
to facilitate the investigations. |
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The Singapore Contractors Association
chipped in to alert their industry members and their foreign workers on
the dangers of both chikungunya and Power 1 Walnut. Many agencies were
mobilized: MOM, URA, BCA, LTA, SLA, PUB and the Police. Together with
the NEA and HSA teams, we delivered success. |
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PROFESSIONALISM & DEDICATION |
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Third, they were professional and dedicated.
Many worked long hours each day and over several weeks. In Little India,
they took temperatures and screened the blood of over 2,600 people who
lived or worked there. |
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NEA mounted massive vector control exercises
and carried out more than 5,700 inspections, climbing up gutters and
going down into monsoon drains. Our laboratories in the Environmental
Health Institute, DSO National Laboratories and National Public Health
Laboratory worked non-stop to produce results overnight. |
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Their action allowed us to isolate the
carriers from infecting others and treat them promptly. HSA and the
Police mounted several successful raids and netted more than 75,000
units of illegal products including Power 1 Walnut. |
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WE ARE PROUD OF YOU |
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We are proud of all of you. Your good work
has allowed us to sleep better. On behalf of Singaporeans, I thank each
and every one of you. |
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Chikungunya has failed this time. But it and
other infectious diseases will try to sneak into Singapore again and
again. Likewise, unethical operators will continue to smuggle in
counterfeit and illegal products. |
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After Power1 Walnut, I am sure there will be
other fake drugs in the black market. Our job is never finished. Let’s
hope Singaporeans will help to lighten our work. |
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First, raise our standards of personal and
public hygiene. Don’t breed mosquitoes. |
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Second, let’s not be gullible to purveyors
of quick fixes. Consult your family GP when unsure of any health
product. Certainly, do not buy from peddlers and back alleys or order
through the Internet. |
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Unfortunately we cannot eliminate
foolishness. I just received 2 alerts from Alexandra Hospital (AH) and
Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) of patients experiencing similar symptoms.
Just 2-3 hours ago, the HSA laboratory confirmed that they have taken
fake Cialis and one of the two is in coma in TTSH. There will be
gullible people testing our vigilance. |
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As healthcare workers, let’s reflect on the
achievements of Dr Sarma and Dr Kao. They detected some weak signals but
recognized a pattern before it became obvious to others. Some might say
they got lucky. But was it luck? Or is it something in their training,
their interests, the journals they read, the way their brains function?
Let’s emulate their examples and let’s all work hard on our luck. |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg News 8 Apr 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 8 April 2008
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