Prime Minister

My Cabinet Colleagues

Friends and Families

When SARS first hit us, no one knew what it was, how bad it would be and for how long it would last. Singapore was one of the first countries to be hit. It was with a sense of trepidation when we realised that we were in the midst of a deadly disease that the world knew little of and how to handle it. The World Health Organisation had to find a name for it and called it the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or what we all now know as SARS. Our immediate task was to stop the spread. We knew that if we let any cases out of our containment net, it would be very costly. The situation called for rapid and firm responses. A series of tough anti-SARS measures, such as home quarantine orders, restrictions on movements of patients across hospitals and No Visitor Rule were imposed.

These measures impacted on families in more ways that we could know, especially in terms of the anxieties and anguish caused. My Ministry is grateful to the affected families and Singaporeans for their understanding and patience. To the many who have fallen in the line of duty, we also honour your courage and sacrifice.

We have organised this commemoration ceremony to remember our fellow Singaporeans and friends who have succumbed to the disease. All of us are saddened by the loss of lives in this outbreak. To the friends, relatives and families of the deceased, we regret the pain and grief that you had to go through in the face of restrictions even in the final moments with them. We also understand the emotional strain you all had to face in having to rush through the funeral rites. I hope that you would take comfort that we share your deep sense of loss. My entire team would like to offer our condolences to the bereaved families.

SARS has touched and changed our lives in many ways. Many understood the urgency and importance of the need to keep SARS out of Singapore, and contributed in their own ways in this battle. Be it taking their temperature daily or seeing a doctor when unwell, their efforts helped to make Singapore a safer home for all. Our healthcare givers also rose to the challenge and showed tremendous courage and dedication. Many continued to work even in the face of higher risks to their own lives. My Ministry is also grateful for the support that it received from other government agencies, professional bodies, private companies, and the community. They contributed their skills, knowledge, manpower and expertise in the fight against SARS. We could not have won this battle without your help.

On this note, I would like to thank PM, my Cabinet colleagues and all of you for taking the time to join us in this ceremony to remember our fallen heroes and heroines. Thank you.

________________