Singapore Government Media Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,

140 Hill Street #02-02 MITA Building, Singapore 179369.

Tel: 837 9666

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WELCOME ADDRESS BY DR ALINE WONG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR TAMPINES GRC AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF NORTHEAST CDC - HNF CARE CENTRE (TAMPINES) ON SUNDAY 25 JUNE 2000 AT BLOCK 101, TAMPINES ST 11 AT 9.30AM

 

Minister Mr Mah Bow Tan

Minister for National Development

and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC

 

Mr Yatiman Yusof

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Information and the Arts

and Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC

 

Mr Sin Boon Ann

Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC

 

Mr Charles Chong

Chairman, NorthEast Community Development Council

and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris GRC

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

A very good morning to all of you.

 

The NorthEast-HNF CARE Centre is the outcome of joint efforts of the NorthEast Community Development Council (CDC), Home Nursing Foundation, Changkat grassroots leaders organisations, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and Sheng Hong Temple Association.

 

The idea of setting up the CARE centre for the elderly in Tampines was floated early last year. Changkat grassroots leaders, together with the NorthEast CDC, then pursued the suggestion further. After some deliberation and planning, they identified the Home Nursing Foundation, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and Sheng Hong Temple Association as the partners to run the centre within the NorthEast District. It is to the credit of the NECDC and all its partners that the centre has materialised in such a short time.

 

The NorthEast-HNF CARE Centre is the first in the NorthEast District running several programmes concurrently to serve the elderly who are in need of medical care and social support. As a one-stop multi-service station, the CARE Centre will benefit the elderly by providing rehabilitative therapy, health monitoring programmes, health education, home care skills training and other support services.

 

In addition, the CARE Centre has established relationships with other community minded organisations and companies to widen its range of services. With the St John’s Ambulance Association, CARE Centre has established the Eastern Training Centre, providing first aid training in a community setting. With the Golden Pagoda Welfare Clinic, the Centre has made available acupuncture services to the elderly. With the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore and Apex Pharmacy, professional pharmacists meet with elderly clients to review their medication needs and provide drug counselling.

 

The elderly of the future are going to be better educated, have more financial means and, with better nutrition and healthcare, will be more active and dynamic well beyond their sixties. The NorthEast CDC will continue to work with other organisations to cater to the changing needs of the elderly.

 

One project for example, is the lifelong learning programme started in March this year for the senior citizens, called "IT is for All Ages". This is a specially designed IT Orientation Programme for those 45 years and above. It is a one-day fun-filled programme to help older Singaporeans overcome their fears of IT. This programme is conducted in either Mandarin or English. Participants will be able to learn computer skills through a 3-hour Internet session before being entertained at the Hall of IT where they will experience how IT can be relevant in their daily life. Cyberguides will be on hand to help them with their first experience with computers.

 

The NorthEast-HNF CARE Centre is an excellent example of collaboration between the CDC, the grassroots, and voluntary welfare organisations and commercial and professional groups. It is a model of the important role played by the people sector and the private sector in complementing the public sector to provide for the healthcare, social and educational needs of our elderly population.

Before I conclude, I am heartened to note the active participation of Changi General Hospital in the HNF-CARE Centre. With the formation of the Medical Sub-Committee, experts from Changi General Hospital will lend their expertise and knowledge in enhancing the effectiveness of the rehabilitative programmes undertaken by the Centre.

 

I strongly encourage more of such collaboration – between the CDCs, grassroots leaders and VWOs – in the provision of services in the community. This collaboration is in line with our Singapore 21 vision and will further enhance community bonding and increase the residents’ stake in the community.

 

I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Advisor to the project, Mr Kong Mun Kwong, Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Dr Kee Kirk Chin, Chairman of the Management Committee, in conceptualising and implementing this CARE Centre. Finally, my appreciation also goes to the Home Nursing Foundation for choosing the NorthEast CDC and Changkat to be your partners in extending your community outreach.

 

Thank you.

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