Mr Leow Ching Chuan

Chairman of Seacare Co-operative Ltd

Capt Say Eng Sin

Chairman of Seacare Maritime Medical Centre

Dr Chia Yih Woei

CEO of Seacare Maritime Medical Centre

Distinguished Guest

Ladies and Gentleman

        I am delighted to join you at this official opening of the new premises of the Singapore Maritime Medical Centre.  This occasion is a very meaningful and happy one for two reasons.

2.     First, the new, larger premises and an improved range of medical services and equipment speak of the success that the SMMC has enjoyed.

3.     Since its incorporation in 1997, the SMMC has grown from strength to strength.  It did so on the back of effective, dedicated, high quality service, and staunch support from the maritime and shipping communities. 

4.     Its new facility is a one-stop centre that integrates X-ray, laboratory, minor surgical and pharmacy services.  It is on-call 24-hours a day, and also provides emergency medical evacuation and ship calls.  Today, SMMC has a strong foothold in the maritime medical sector.

5.     With its improved facilities and capabilities, the SMMC will be able to provide even better healthcare to both local and foreign seamen and cater to the medical needs of the shipping and maritime communities.  Its growth will add to the stature of Singapore as an International Maritime Centre.

6.     In celebrating SMMC’s business success, it is important for us to remember another significant fact.  And that is the furtherance of the social mission of SMMC’s corporate parent, SeaCare Co-operative Ltd.

7.     SeaCare was born out of a struggle for survival in the face of competition, adversity and restructuring in the maritime industry.  Singaporean seamen, represented by the Singapore Organisation of Seamen, had to face up to these raging forces and changing realities.

8.     Far from surrendering to fate or living in the past, the leaders of the SOS found and fought their way out of stagnation and decline.  The SOS set up SeaCare, whose mission was to help Singapore seamen and their families by creating job opportunities and undertaking appropriate investments.  The SMMC is a child and beneficiary of that resilience and vision.

9.     Today, SeaCare has attained an annual turnover of $22 million and direct employs more than 1,000 people within the group, while helping to job place many more members into other jobs.

10.   I commend SeaCare and the SMMC for your success and good work, and wish you the best in your endeavours.

Thank you.