Highlights from the Honorary Secretary

Ng Chew Lip

SMA's published survey on impact of COVID-19

To understand how our Members are doing during the pandemic, SMA conducted a survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on doctors in the private sector, specifically on income and practice patterns.

The majority of respondents, in both GP and specialist groups, reported income loss and a decrease in patient load, with a small percentage having to retrench staff or cut wages.

The article, published in Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, can be found at https://bit.ly/3bJhj47.

WSH toolkit for healthcare workers

The Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council has developed the "WSH Orientation toolkit for Healthcare Workers". The course aims to equip participants with WSH knowledge, such as the WSH Act and its regulations, common hazards at their workplaces, and control measures, so that they can protect themselves and prevent injuries and ill health.

Adapted from the "Basic WSH Healthcare Online Course", the toolkit can be used by healthcare institutions to conduct orientation and training for their staff. The toolkit includes enhancements from the online course such as:

  • Updated content in alignment with recent regulatory changes (Workplace Safety and Health [Incident Reporting] Regulations 2020);
  • New fire safety and response module;
  • Facilitation tips for the slides; and
  • Enhanced comprehension questions at the end of each module.

The toolkit was reviewed by the WSH Council (Healthcare) Committee, which consists of stakeholders in the healthcare industry, to ensure that the content is accurate, relevant and useful to the healthcare community.

The WSH orientation toolkit can be downloaded from https://bit.ly/3u8a1xg.

Passing of CMAAO President Dr K K Aggarwal

The SMA Council informs with regret the news of Dr K K Aggarwal's demise on 17 May 2021 in New Delhi, after a lengthy battle with COVID-19.

Dr Aggarwal was President of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) from 2019 to 2021. SMA is a member of three regional/ international bodies, namely the Medical Association of South East Asian Nations (MASEAN), CMAAO and the World Medical Association (WMA).

In his short tenure as President of CMAAO, Dr Aggarwal turned CMAAO into a vivid institution of organised medicine with daily discussions, weekly – mostly educational – online meetings and friendly cross-border exchange of facts and opinions.

SMA wishes to extend our deepest condolences to Dr Aggarwal's family during this time of grief.

Passing of Dr Yeo Khian Kiat

The SMA Council informs with regret the news of SMA Life Member Dr Yeo Khian Kiat's demise on 28 April 2021. Dr Yeo was a GP at Drs Horne & Chin before he retired, and he has been an SMA Member since 1969.

We wish to extend our deepest condolences to Dr Yeo's family during this time of grief.


Ng Chew Lip is an ENT consultant in public service. After a day of doctoring and cajoling his two princesses at home to finish their food, his idea of relaxation is watching a drama serial with his lovely wife and occasionally throwing some paint on a canvas.

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