IRAS review of anaesthesiologists' practice
Representatives from SMA, Ministry of Health and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) met in September 2018 after a group of anaesthesiologists raised concerns regarding the taxation structure of their practice. During the meeting, the various parties discussed the issue at length and exchanged ideas to address the concerns raised. Several action items have been taken up by the respective parties following the meeting. We will keep members apprised once more details are available.
SMA Clinic Assistant Place and Train Programme
SMA, with support from the Employment and Employability Institute, organised two job fairs on 3 and 9 October 2018 to help clinic owners and medical practitioners recruit clinic assistants for their practice (U.P: $150; complimentary for SMA Members). Employers are encouraged to send their newly hired staff for the SMA Clinic Assistant Introductory Skills Training ($800 before GST), which comprises a four-day course and three weeks of on-the-job training. The upcoming month-long training programme will be conducted in March, July and October 2019.
Clinic owners and medical practitioners who are keen to recruit clinic assistants through our recruitment platforms or send their recently employed staff for training can visit https://www.sma.org.sg/clinicassistant. There is a funding grant available for employers, which subsidises the training fees and offers one month's salary as support for each trainee. For additional queries, you may contact Mellissa or Huda at clinicassistant@sma.org.sg or 6223 1264.
WMA General Assembly
The World Medical Association (WMA) General Assembly was held in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 3 to 6 October 2018, and SMA was the representative for Singapore. Dr Leonid Eidelman from Rabin Medical Center, Israel, was installed as President of the WMA and Dr Miguel Roberto Jorge from University of São Paulo, Brazil, was elected as the President-elect. The Declaration of Geneva, more commonly known as the Physician's Pledge, was updated in 2017 and presented during an ethics conference that coincided with the General Assembly. SMA also forged stronger ties in the WMA Junior Doctor's Network this year.
SMA secretariat office
The SMA secretariat office officially started operations on 9 October 2018 at 2985 Jalan Bukit Merah, #02-2C, SMF Building, Singapore 159457.
Our main telephone number remains as 6223 1264 and our new fax number is 6252 9693. Email addresses for SMA and Medical Protection Society remain unchanged as sma@sma.org.sg and mps@sma.org.sg, respectively.
Please note that parking charges at the car park of SMF Building will apply after a ten-minute grace period.
Appointment of Ms Irene Quay as an NMP
We wish to congratulate Ms Irene Quay, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, on her appointment as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) for the Professions Functional Group. The SMA Council wishes Ms Quay all the best in her new appointment.