Singapore doctors raise funds to help financially needy medical students cover living expenses

March 2008

Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine Prof John Wong (left) receiving the cheque from Singapore Medical Association President Dr Wong Chiang Yin

Thanks to the Singapore Medical Association’s (SMA) gift of $186,770 to Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, money worries will be far from the minds of financially-needy medical students as they prepare for their final exams.

Spearheaded by SMA President Dr Wong Chiang Yin, the SMA Medical Students’ Assistance Fund was set up in November 2007 to help such students cover living expenses. The Fund aims to support 10 bursaries worth $3,600 each every year.

The national medical organization, which represents the majority of medical professionals in Singapore, has also committed to match all gifts made to the Fund dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 annually. SMA managed to raise $186,770 by the end of 2007, barely two months after the launch of the fund.

Ten students have been awarded the bursary for 2008. The bursaries will help them cover day-to-day living expenses such as books, equipment, transportation and food. According to a survey by the NUS Medical Society, a medical student needs at least $4,410 annually for such expenses while more than 20% of students come from families with a monthly household income of less than $3,000.

Front row (from left to right): Dr Chong Ye Woei, SMA 1st Vice President, Prof John Wong, Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Senior Deputy President, Dr Wong Chiang Yin, SMA President, Dr Howard Foo, Vice Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Dr Tan Sze Wee, SMA Social Concerns Committee Chairman

Dr Wong said: “The Fund is about affirming the values that will ensure that our profession stays great in Singapore. I can think of two such values. The first is talent. Nurturing the medical profession is no different from running a hospital, a medical association or even a country. You need to get the best talent you can find… And talent does not equate to the ability to pay when one is 19 years-old. The second is our belief in compassionate meritocracy.”

Prof John Wong, Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said: “We all want our medical students to be free of financial worry and able to devote their precious time and energy to their studies. The long-term commitment from the SMA is truly an investment in our future generation of doctors.”

Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Senior Deputy President and guest-of-honour at the SMA Medical Students’ Assistance Fund Cheque Presentation Ceremony, said: “Despite the substantial enhancements to student financial aid that have been made by NUS and the Ministry of Education, additional support from the wider community is nevertheless critical.”

He added: “The members of SMA have demonstrated the highest ideal that we hope a good education will instil in our students – the willingness and commitment to help others.”