Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the MOH Appreciation dinner, 21 January 2014, Pan Pacific Singapore

Colleagues, friends of MOH and the public healthcare family

2            Good evening and welcome to the MOH Appreciation Dinner. We are gathered here this evening to express our deepest appreciation to our friends of MOH, for working alongside us as we strive towards building a better healthcare system for our fellow Singaporeans.   

3            Today, we have altogether 72 committees with various functions and roles in the Ministry and in our affiliated institutions from which you have volunteered your time and expertise in.  Some of you have served many years with us.  This evening, we will be presenting tokens of appreciation to our friends in recognition of their contributions in the respective committees.  I am pleased to note that 10 will be recognised for their 20^th year of service.

4            Your knowledge and wealth of experience in your respective fields have been immensely critical, as you bring valuable insights on our various areas of work, such as professional standards and regulation, health advisory, medical ethics, health promotion, Medifund advisory, and IT.  You have not only helped to raise the standards of our healthcare system, but also provided an important link between the Ministry and the community through your tireless engagement with the community, and ensuring that our healthcare plans are smoothly implemented on the ground.  Your dedication and passion have encouraged many of us, and we are truly grateful for your support and invaluable contributions to MOH.

5            The Healthcare 2020 Masterplan, which I announced in 2012, will continue to be the blueprint that guides MOH’s work to improve accessibility, raise quality, and enhance affordability of healthcare services. As we press on with our work, we will need to start seeding ideas for a road-map that can future-proof our health and aged care system for the long term.  To this end, we hope to continue drawing on your insights and experience.

6            I thank you for joining us on this healthcare journey, and I look forward to many more years of support from you, as we work towards strengthening our healthcare system and promoting healthier lifestyles among our fellow Singaporeans.

7            Let me take this opportunity to also wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2014.  I would like my colleagues to join me in applauding our friends seated with us this evening. 

8            Thank you.