SMA statement on MOM advisory on COVID-19 testing
We have received several emails from Members who have expressed concerns about a speech made by Minister Lawrence Wong on 5 July 2020, in response to Prof Paul Tambyah’s comments made on 3 July 2020 on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) advisories on the testing of migrant workers. The comments and speeches by both Minister Wong and Prof Tambyah are now available on the internet.
The SMA serves to uphold the image of the profession and to represent you in matters that concern you. In this matter, following your feedback, the Council and Secretariat have conducted our due diligence and fact finding, including speaking with some of you who have written in, and also considering first-hand accounts and comments of doctors working in A&E departments and in the National Centre for Infectious Diseases made to Council Members.
We are heartened by the statement made by the Director of Medical Services (DMS), A/Prof Kenneth Mak, on 7 July 2020, in which he detailed the events and reasons that led to the issuance of advisories on migrant workers by MOM prior to the outbreak in the migrant worker dormitories. DMS gave a clear explanation of the reasons why the advisories were issued. The statement can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3083yoQ.
Today, information dissemination is rapid and, unfortunately, often piecemeal. Providing clear and complete information is the best form of public communication, and that is exemplified by DMS’s statement. The SMA stands for justice and fairness for the medical profession and our patients. In all matters relating to professional image, we will spare no effort in determining and propagating the truth. In this matter, the SMA Council feels that the matter is appropriately settled with the explanation from DMS on the roles of the Ministry of Health and the medical profession on the advisories, and nothing further from the SMA needs to be added.
We encourage you to actively participate in the SMA, and to invite your friends and colleagues to join the Association. We need more active members who can volunteer your time and talents to help steer the profession through a time of challenges and rapid changes. A larger and more active membership gives you, our profession and patients a stronger voice.
Link to sign-up here and if you have a membership query, do send them to membership@sma.org.sg.
This SMA statement can also be found online at https://bit.ly/30eL46j.
SMJ 2019 impact factor rises to 1.359
We are pleased to announce that the journal impact factor of the Singapore Medical Journal (SMJ) for the 2019 citation year is 1.359,1 up from 1.141 for 2018. The SMA Council extends our heartiest congratulations to SMJ Editor–inChief A/Prof Poh Kian Keong, the Editorial Board and the secretariat for this notable achievement. We wish the journal every success as it seeks to expand the body of scientific knowledge in medicine through publishing high–quality research for the benefit of doctors and patients.
Rental relief framework
SMA recently received feedback and queries regarding the rental relief framework.
We recommend for SMA Members, who are tenants, to check the Ministry of Law web page below for details on eligibility, duration of relief, amount of relief, protection from legal or enforcement proceedings, etc.
Link: https://bit.ly/2CfjDBm.