135th Anniversary Dinner Of Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution

15 Sep 2002

By Mr Lim Hng Kiang

Venue: Suntec City

INTRODUCTION

I am very happy to be able to join you this evening at Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution's 135th Anniversary Dinner. Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution is one of the oldest free clinics offering traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM) services in Singapore. It has made significant contributions to our society since its inception in 1867, in providing free TCM treatment and social welfare services, especially to the less fortunate, poor and needy in the community. Since then, Thong Chai has also been playing an important role in the development of TCM education and research in Singapore.

Thong Chai has been offering free TCM consultation and treatment for general TCM as well as specialty TCM services, such as treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, sub-fertility and cancers. Thong Chai is also well known as an institution committed to the development of TCM research in Singapore. I am aware that you are planning to set up a research fund to further develop TCM research in Thong Chai in the years ahead. I applaud your foresight and determination, and wish you all the best in your endeavour.

It is a privilege to be a TCM practitioner at Thong Chai. I was told that for over 80 years, from 1901 to 1983, only TCM practitioners who passed the TCM examinations held every 3 years at Thong Chai with flying colours were qualified to be employed as TCM practitioners at Thong Chai. To maintain the standard of TCM in Thong Chai, renowned overseas TCM experts have been invited regularly to conduct continuing education workshops and seminars for the TCM practitioners. Thong Chai has also sent its TCM practitioners to TCM universities in People?s Republic of China to further their TCM education and many have since returned with Masters and Doctorates in TCM. This spirit of wanting to achieve excellence and constantly seeking to learn and upgrade is very commendable and should be emulated by all in the TCM community.

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE IN HEALTHCARE

Although Western medicine is the main form of healthcare in Singapore, TCM continues to enjoy considerable popularity as a complementary form of healthcare.

It has been estimated that about 45% of the population had ever consulted a TCM practitioner in the past and about 12% of daily outpatient attendances are seen by TCM practitioners. TCM is a significant factor in the healthcare scene in Singapore and there is no indication that this trend will decline.

Studies conducted in Western countries have shown that the use of complementary and alternative medicine, including TCM, has increased significantly over the past decade. For example, the use of alternative therapies, including TCM, by the US population increased from 34% in 1990 to 42% in 1997. In Europe, the figure is now between 20-50% and in Australia, about 48%.

TCM treatment is popular among patients suffering from chronic illnesses and painful conditions and those requiring rehabilitative treatment, such as back and neck problems, arthritis and strokes. As the population in Singapore ages, more and more people will suffer from these conditions. In time, this may increase the demand for TCM treatment.

REGISTRATION OF TCM PRACTITIONERS

The registration of TCM practitioners ensures that TCM practitioners are suitably qualified before they are allowed to practise and that patients who choose to visit TCM practitioners receive safe TCM treatment.

The TCM Practitioners Board has started the registration of TCM practitioners, beginning with the registration of acupuncturists in 2001. To date, about 1,500 acupuncturists have been registered. Application for the registration of TCM physicians was started in January this year and about 1,800 have applied. By 1 Jan 2004, all TCM physicians who wish to practise TCM in Singapore will have to be registered with the Board.

I am happy to note that the registration process has been smooth. This is largely due to the support and cooperation given by the TCM community, especially the Singapore TCM Organisations Coordinating Committee (or STCMOCC), of which Thong Chai is a member organisation. I want to take this opportunity to thank STCMOCC and the TCM community for the unwavering support and assistance given to my Ministry and the TCM Practitioners Board during the registration process.

TRAINING OF TCM PRACTITIONERS

Let me now turn to the training of TCM practitioners. Prior to 1996, the training of TCM practitioners had not been systematic. Several TCM associations run their own training courses, with varying standards and duration. My Ministry worked with STCMOCC to streamline the training and introduced the 6-year part time diploma course, which is currently conducted by the two main local TCM schools. The first batch of students graduate this year. As the course has been accredited by the TCM Practitioners Board, the students who pass the Common TCM Qualifying Examination will be eligible for registration as TCM physicians from this batch onwards.

For registered TCM practitioners, I would like to encourage TCM institutions to provide continuing education to update and upgrade the knowledge and skill of TCM practitioners, eg by organising short courses, seminars and lectures.

Not only do we need qualified TCM physicians to ensure the public safety of TCM treatment, qualified herbal dispensers are equally important, as the use of Chinese medicinal materials (or CMM) preparations and herbs is an integral part of TCM treatment. The training of herbal dispensers had also not been systematic in the past as there was no such formal training course in Singapore. In view of this, we designed our own local herbal dispensers training course.

I am happy to note that the course was started on 15 July 2002 and that the response was overwhelming as more than 400 students have enrolled in the course. This augurs well for the future of TCM in Singapore.

CONCLUSION

The development of TCM in Singapore over the past few years has been encouraging and the future looks promising. In a way, this mirrors the development of Thong Chai over the past 135 years. Thong Chai has truly come a long way. Thong Chai's achievement today is the result of years of hard work and sacrifice by the past and present presidents, directors, TCM practitioners and volunteers of Thong Chai, and the entire TCM community in Singapore. I salute all of you. And I look forward to your continued strong support to upgrade the standard and safety of TCM practice in Singapore.

On this very auspicious occasion of the 135th Anniversary of Thong Chai, I would like to wish you all the very best, as you seek to provide TCM services to the poor and needy in our community through Thong Chai, and at the same time bring Thong Chai to greater heights in the development of TCM education and research in Singapore.

Thank you.