Speech by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at KKH's Pioneer Generation Tribute Event Sat 4 Oct 2014

Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health

Prof Ivy Ng, Group CEO, SingHealth

Prof Kenneth Kwek, Chief Executive Officer, KKH

Prof Alex Sia, Chairman Medical Board, KKH

KKH Pioneers

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.

            It is a pleasure, and a privilege for me to join you today, to pay tribute to the many healthcare Pioneers who have looked after generations of Singaporeans and helped to build the healthcare system we enjoy today.

2        Many of us who have benefited from the healthcare system may have taken for granted your hard work and contributions. You served at a time of great transition and challenge. Yet, you persevered in laying the foundation for a strong and robust system, which we continue to build on to this day. Your dedication and sacrifice during the difficult times has, and will continue to inspire us to strive to do better.

The legacy of KKH Pioneers

3        Indeed, our healthcare system as a whole has come a long way, and KKH is no exception. Ninety years ago this week, Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital opened with just 30 beds and 12 children's cots. By the end of the first year of operation, the hospital registered 588 deliveries. Forty years later, with almost 40,000 births in 1966, KKH made it to the Guinness Book of World Records, for the highest number of births in a single maternity facility in the world!

4        KKH is the birthplace of generations of Singaporeans, who have gone on to contribute to the growth of Singapore in a variety of ways - whether as leaders, teachers, researchers, or even as healthcare professionals like you. As Pioneers of this institution, you have played an important role in bringing into the world the future of our nation, including many in the audience today. Even the current CEO of KKH, Prof Kenneth Kwek, was born in KKH!

Carrying on the legacy of excellence

5        Today, through your efforts, Singapore is recognised for maintaining among the lowest rates of neonatal and paediatric mortality in the world. KKH is at the forefront of this achievement, delivering close to a third of all births in Singapore, and in particular, caring for high-risk pregnancies referred to the hospital.

6        KKH’s Perinatal Team was conferred the prestigious UAE Health Foundation Award by the World Health Organisation in 2009 for outstanding work in health development, which brought about a notable decrease in maternal mortality and eclampsia rates.

7        The hospital has also achieved a number of clinical, surgical and research breakthroughs in recent years. Notable ones include:

• the development of a computer-integrated patient-controlled epidural analgesia pump which individualises pain-management based on the patient’s needs; and

• a Double Intravenous Vasopressor Automated (DIVA) System which helps to improve the management of  blood pressure and heart-rate during a caesarean section under spinal epidural.

8        These are all world-firsts, and testimony to the standards of excellence and high levels of commitment of generations of KKH’s healthcare teams, who you may have helped develop, and who draw inspiration from your achievements.

Paying tribute to KKH Pioneers

9        The Pioneer Generation Package was rolled out this year, to recognise and thank each of you for your invaluable contributions. It provides Pioneers with annual Medisave top-ups, extra subsidies for outpatient treatment, and monthly cash assistance to Pioneers who have functional disabilities. From next year, it will also provide Pioneers with additional subsidies on subsidised medications at polyclinics and Specialist Outpatient Clinics, as well as additional MediShield Life premium subsidies. Taken together, the Pioneer Generation Package will provide our Pioneers greater peace of mind and assurance over the affordability of their healthcare bills.

10      At KKH, we are also recognising our Pioneers in our own ways. The current generation carries the responsibility of keeping alive our Pioneers’ spirit of perseverance, endurance, grit and resilience. The most meaningful way in which we can recognise and honour our KKH Pioneers is by striving even harder to achieve greater heights and by exploring newer frontiers to establish Singapore as a global benchmark in health for women and children. KKH is also dedicating a wall in tribute to you, to mark our appreciation for the legacy of care and excellence you have established.

Conclusion

11      As we look forward to celebrating Singapore’s 50th birthday next year, and welcoming Singapore’s jubilee babies, it is only fitting that we also take a moment to celebrate our Pioneers and the journey of excellence which has brought us to this point.

12      We wish you all good health and happiness.

13      Thank you.