- Sembawang Town Council

Sembawang Town Council
november 2010
Minister Lui visits
Marsiling
2 sembawang heart talk november 2010
W
e have had many reasons to celebrate over the
past months. National Day filled our town
with life and colour – you’ll see snapshots of
the divisional celebrations we had on page 5 and, on
the next page, pictures from the huge party when we
all came together to celebrate Singapore’s 45th year
of independence. Fireworks, special performances
and military exhibits just outside the Woodlands
Civic Centre made it a most memorable evening for
thousands of us.
And let us not forget the success of the world’s
first Youth Olympics. To be selected as the venue for
this prestigious sports event over so many other, larger
countries, and then to have received compliments from
the International Olympic Committee President, Dr
Jacques Rogge, on a job well done – that is something
that each and every one of us can be proud of. It has put
Singapore on the world map as a clean, safe and wellorganised city, with good infrastructure and friendly
people. And our own Youth Olympians showed how
Singapore can hold its own in the global sporting arena.
See silver medallist Isabelle Li, a resident of our Town,
on page 7.
In fact, I think it is safe to say that life in our
Town is cause for celebration, almost every day. Look
at how our homes are kept beautiful and convenient
with upgrades and redecorations. How more greenery
and space for leisure is added all the time – Woodlands
Waterfront and Admiralty Park are two great examples.
And how we all come together to work for a good
cause, just like in the old kampong days – you’ll find
some stories about our gotong royong in this newsletter.
Remember: you don’t need crowds of people,
lots of money or a grand feast to celebrate. Every time
you wave at a neighbour, every time you hold the lift for
someone, each morning you step out of your door with
a smile – you’re celebrating life in our Town.
K
ita mempunyai banyak sebab untuk merayakan
pencapaian kita dalam beberapa bulan yang
lalu. Hari Kebangsaan telah mengisi bandar
kita dengan keceriaan dan warna – anda akan melihat
gambar-gambar sambutan Hari Kebangsaan di pelbagai
tempat dalam kawasan undi pada halaman 5 dan, pada
muka sebelah, gambar-gambar parti besar-besaran
yang diadakan apabila kita semua berkumpul untuk
menyambut hari kemerdekaan Singapura yang ke-45.
Pertunjukan bunga api, persembahan istimewa dan
pameran peralatan tentera di luar Pusat Sivik Woodlands
membuatnya satu malam yang tidak dapat dilupakan
oleh ribuan daripada kita.
Dan kita tidak harus lupakan kejayaan Olimpik
Belia yang dianjurkan buat pertama kali di dunia. Untuk
dipilih sebagai tuan rumah bagi acara sukan berprestij
ini dengan mengatasi banyak negara lain yang lebih
besar, dan kemudian menerima pujian daripada Presiden
Jawatankuasa Olimpik Antarabangsa, Dr Jacques Rogge,
kerana menganjurkannya dengan baik sekali – itu
adalah suatu yang setiap kita dapat banggakan. Ia telah
meletakkan Singapura di peta dunia sebagai sebuah
bandar raya yang bersih, selamat dan tersusun rapi,
dengan infrastruktur yang baik dan rakyat yang ramah.
Dan para peserta Olimpik Belia kita telah menunjukkan
bagaimana Singapura berprestasi dengan baik dalam
arena sukan global. Lihat pemenang pingat perak Isabelle
Li, seorang penduduk Bandar kita, di halaman 7.
Malah, saya fikir adalah selamat untuk mengatakan
bahawa kehidupan di Bandar kita memberi sebab untuk
kita merayakan pencapaian kita, hampir setiap hari. Lihat
bagaimana rumah kita sentiasa dipelihara kecantikannya
dan dilengkapi pelbagai kemudahan menerusi projekprojek peningkatan dan ubahelok semula. Bagaimana
lebih banyak kehijauan dan ruang untuk riadah ditambah
sepanjang masa – Woodlands Waterfront dan Admiralty
Park adalah dua contoh. Dan bagaimana kita semua
berkumpul untuk melakukan kerja amal, sama seperti
pada zaman kampung dulu – anda akan dapat membaca
beberapa kisah tentang semangat gotong royong kita di
surat berita ini.
Ingat: anda tidak perlu ramai hadirin, belanja yang
besar atau hidangan yang istimewa untuk menyambut
sesuatu acara. Setiap kali anda melambai kepada jiran
anda, setiap kali anda menahan pintu lif untuk seseorang,
setiap pagi anda keluar rumah dengan senyuman – anda
telah merayakan kehidupan di Bandar kita.
Hawazi Daipi
A word
from the
Chairman
november 2010
sembawang heart talk 3
Heartland
Celebrations
4 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Tie strings!
Get set!
Let Fly!!
“Our dream is that one day
everyone will fly the flag,”
said Mr Law Shun Yong, BBM(L), Chairman of
the Sembawang CCC after the residents in his
division established a new Singapore record for the
number of flags unfurled simultaneuosly.
The record of 2,000 was established at
10.45am on 4 July, 2010.
The day was 4 July because that was the first
Sunday in the first month that we can fly the flag.
The time was 10.45 because it was the ten RCs
of Sembawang who made the attempt possible.
And it was 10.45 because this year
we celebrate Singapore’s 45th
birthday!
Without help from hundreds of young people studying at Republic Polytechnic the attempt might not have been possible, certainly not successful!
In the minutes before the horns sounded
the “Let Fly!” signal, dozens of volunteers from
Republic Poly went floor-to-floor and door-todoor in dozens of blocks, explaining to residents
the plan and helping them tie their flags in place.
Then they held them, hidden, until the
national anthem had been sung and the horns
sounded. “This sort of thing teaches us how to pull
together as a group,” said Ms Ho Woan Roei, a
second year student.
Fly our flag higher
november 2010
sembawang heart talk 5
Celebrating
National Day
6 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Here’s a role model for us all
G
ail Pantin was born in Trinidad and, though
her family moved to Canada when she was in
high school, she still speaks with the care and
the lilting accents of the Carribbean.
She came to Singapore to teach art and design
at Nanyang Polytechnic. Now, 13 years later, she has
decided to stop teaching for a while, do some serious
painting, and get ready for a show.
Living in a flat in the estate built around
Mandai Tekong Park, she noticed the littering
problem common to most estates. But she could not
accept the two most common explanations: “Oh,
it’s the foreign workers;” and “It’s the children!”
Gail considered herself a ‘foreign worker’ and she
knew young people too well to believe they could
be the root of the problem.
And she didn’t think it really mattered who
dropped the litter, the important thing was to just
pick it up. Which she did. Every Saturday morning.
All around her estate.
On her regular rounds she made friends with
a group of kids who were always playing and talking
together. They wanted to
help her pick up the litter.
So Gail bought tongs
for them and arranged a
time and place for them to
meet...and it all began.
The Saturday
mornings start with some
The children all knew
one another and played
together regularly
before they joined the
Just-Pick-It-Up team.
The kids in front find the trash and put it on the pathway for those with the bags to pick up when they come along.
work on a most ambitious
art project (all materials
supplied by Gail) and
then a leader for the day is
appointed – and off they
go. Somewhere between 8
and 14 children, depending
on their commitments.
“Just pick it up” is
their official slogan. The
kids have painted it, and a
few crows, on some bins
When it’s finished, this artwork
will be even longer and show
provided by the Town
the children’s impressions of
every part of Singapore.
Council. Strategically
placed around the estate –
with a few words to prospective users – the bins are
being used.
When there is no more litter, Gail’s group plans
to spend more time on art projects.
november 2010
I
sabelle lives in Admiralty and was training at the
Sports School while attending Chongfu Primary.
But that was nothing like her two years of training
before the Youth Olympic Games.
She joined the School in 2007 and at the end of
2008, when the YOG was announced, she joined a
team of eight young players for intensive training.
In the six months before the games they
travelled to over twenty tournaments on four
continents. “It was exciting doing all that travel with
others of my age. I liked that. “
Winning Silver at the YOG was a tremendous
achievement for Isabelle. She was up against the best
in the world.
The skill and experience she won on the world
junior circuit was a big help. “If I went to any other
school, I would not have had the time.”
Now she’s making up for the missed classes.
“But each of us was given a PC tablet so that we
could study on-line, and watch videos our teachers
recorded of their classes. You need that for the
science experiments!”
Isabelle thinks the two-year journey to her
silver was more important than winning it. And
wants to thank everyone, “coaches, teachers, family,
friends” for the help they gave her on that journey.
She talks about that when she acts as a Sports
Ambassador, giving speeches. “The last was to 50
adults! A 16-year-old talking to a room of adults. I’m
still thinking about that!”
Our young Olympian won silver!
sembawang heart talk 7
8 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Big Day in Marsiling
Our Community Day on Sunday
26 September involved the young
and old, the super-fit and those
trying to get in shape, musicians,
kite-flyers, cheerleaders...in fact, the
whole community joined in.
M
r Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Information,
Communications & the Arts, came to join
us. He said he was really impressed by
the organisation he had seen, the welcome he had
received, and the pleasure we seemed to be getting
out of all the fun and games.
His tour started at the Mega Sports Park and,
after some line-dancing and kite-flying, he drove
up to see the new Woodlands Waterfront.
Next stop was the Marsiling CC, where he
and all the Sembawang GRC MPs put their hands
together to applaud the work of the volunteer
Healthy Lifestyle Champions.
He ended his visit by giving us all an
opportunity to ask him questions. It was a very
comfortable, informal affair – sitting around tables
with cold drinks at the Fuchun CC.
Waiting for the Dialogue to start – time to share a joke with friends.
After a brisk walk from the Fuchun CC to the Mega Sports Park we sat down with our goodie bags and watched Tai Qi performances by the Zone 8 and 9 RCs.
november 2010
sembawang heart talk 9
Before they launched the programme for the Healthy Lifestyle Champions (wearing sky-blue track suits), all the VIPS joined in the Great Singapore Workout.
Hari Besar di Marsiling
H
ari Masyarakat kita pada Ahad 26
September melibatkan golongan muda
dan tua, mereka yang cergas dan mereka
yang cuba mengurangkan berat badan, pemuzik,
pemain layang-layang, kumpulan sorak… malah,
seluruh masyarakat menyertainya.
Encik Lui Tuck Yew, Menteri Penerangan,
Perhubungan dan Kesenian, datang menyertai kita.
Lawatan beliau termasuk acara-acara kita di Mega
Sports Park dan Kelab Masyarakat Marsiling dan
berakhir dengan sesi dialog di Kelab Masyarakat
Fuchun.
Beliau berkata bahawa benar-benar tertarik
hati dengan cara kegiatan-kegiatan itu diatur,
sambutan yang beliau terima dan kegembiraan
yang kita raih daripada segala keseronokan dan
permainan-permainan itu.
Do not try to do this yourself! Call in the Singapore Titans to move it.
Drummers from the Marsiling
Chinese Orchestra were on
hand to welcome the VIPs.
10 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Admiralty says
NO to high-rise littering
A pilot project to curb high-rise littering was launched by Dr Mohamad Maliki
Osman, on 11 July. It’s a collaboration between the NEA, Town Council and
grassroots organisations and, if successful, will be introduced throughout our Town.
ed
three-prong
,
g
n
ro
st
a
s
a
the
t an end to
he project h
u
p
ll
e
w
y
a
at m
approach th our neighbourhoods.
ars
e
litter that m
cate us on th
u
d
e
to
s
n
la
ge we do
First, it p
d the dama
n
a
te
a
re
c
e
dangers w
ins
er.
sures that b
n
when we litt
e
t
c
je
ro
p
r
sy to bin ou
Second, the
a
e
’s
it
re
su
to make
will be there
me
litter.
the program
f
o
g
n
ro
p
n is to
The last
ever: the pla ue to
w
o
h
r,
e
h
c
contin
is the clin
ho wilfully
w
e
s
o
th
fy
identi
litter!
with education
T
E
ducation is a ke
y element of the
project
and was a key el
ement of the lau
nch.
Education inclu
des house visits
ambassadors, flye
, student
rs, community ev
ents, mass
clean-ups, games
, even an EZlink
card as a
constant remind
er to bin your litt
er.
with enfo
rcement
T
with in
he NEA
w
but the h ill have more offi
e
c
to be pla art of the new p ers on patrol,
r
y
o
ed b
jec
encoura
ge us to y grassroots lea t is the role
der
f
o
watch to
r
help ide m a sort of neig s. They will
ntif y the
hbourho
Besid
od
cu
$5,000 p es the fines – w lprits.
hich can
er offenc
go as hig
e - and t
Orders,
he
ha
ot
pilot pro her deterrents m Corrective Wor s
k
ject.
ay be tes
ted durin
g the
frastru
More
l
Wood itterbins. A
nd if t
grove
better
h
S
-look econdar y e students
ing bi
S
of
chool
ns.
have t
heir w
ay:
cture
november 2010
Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Minister for Health
MP for Sembawang GRC
Adviser to Sembawang
Town Council
Mr K. Shanmugam
Minister for Home Affairs
Minister for Law
MP for Sembawang GRC
(Chong Pang)
Adviser to Sembawang
Town Council
Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee
Senior Minister of State for Law
and Home Affairs
MP for Nee Soon East
Constituency
Mr Hawazi Daipi
Senior Parliamentary Secretary
for Manpower and Health
MP for Sembawang GRC
(Marsiling)
Chairman of Sembawang
Town Council
Dr Mohamad Maliki
Osman
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for
National Development
MP for Sembawang GRC
(Admiralty)
sembawang heart talk 11
Mr Ong Ah Heng
MP for Nee Soon Central
Constituency
Vice-Chairman of Sembawang
Town Council
Dr Lim Wee Kiak, PBM
MP for Sembawang GRC
(Canberra)
Vice-Chairman of Sembawang
Town Council
Ms Ellen Lee Geck Hoon,
PBM
MP for Sembawang GRC
(Woodlands)
Our Town
Councillors
Our Town
Councillors
T O W N
Contracts
and Legal
for thefor
termthe
Juneterm
2010 to
May 2012
June
2010
C O U N C I L
Estate
Amenities and
Maintenance
Finance
Projects and
Development
to May 2012
Publicity
and Public
Relations
Mr Cheong Khim Teck, JP,
BBM (L)
Chairman
Mr Law Shun Yong, BBM(L)
Co-Chairman
Mr Aw Kai Aik, Norman, BBM
Chairman
Mr Oh Cheng San, BBM
Co-Chairman
Mr Reggie Thein, PBM
Chairman
Mr Lim Ah Lek, Christopher, BBM
Co-Chairman
Prof Yong Kwet Yew, PPA, BBM
Chairman
Mr Sim Yeow Kwee, David, BBM
Co-Chairman
Mr Ang Chee Yam, JP, BBM
Chairman
Mr Gopala Krishnan, JP, BBM
Co-Chairman
Mr Johari Bin Ahamad, PBM
Member
Mr Liow Kian Huat, PBM
Member
Mr Chua Sook Yong, BBM
Member
Mr Sim Kin Chye, PBM
Member
Mr Oh Thai Nan, Tonic, BBM
Co-Chairman
Mr Goh Yew Lee, Alvin, PBM
Member
Mr Wong Kok Wye, Allen, PBM
Member
Mr Loh Wee Seng, PBM
Member
Mr Omer Farook
s/o Sevatha Maricar, PBM
Member
Mr Oh Cheng Kiat, PBM
Member
Rev Song Msang Seng, PBM
Member
Hj Ahmad Bin Karim, PBM
Member
Mr Chang Kok Bu, Rodney, BBM
Member
Mr Toh Hong Hua, John, PBM
Member
Mdm Zawahir Binti Mohamed
Yazid, PBM
Member
Dr Phua Tan Tee, PBM
Member
Mr Tong Chwee Chong,
Jeffrey, PBM
Member
Mdm Lee Siew Khim, PBM
Member
Mr Shaw Kar Seng, Bob, PBM
Member
Mr Jayapalan s/o Krishnan, PBM
Member
Mr Ng Tok Yong, Andrew, PBM
Member
Mr Bakerche Bin Mohd, BBM
Member
Mr Patrick Jaya Anthony, PBM
Member
Mr Lim Seng Min, PBM
Member
Ms Gay Meng Choo
Member
Mr Adrian Rennie Pereira, PBM
Member
Mdm Koh Siang Noi, Rose,
PBM
Member
Mr Goh Peng Hong, PBM
Member
Hj Mahmud Bin Ali, PBM
Member
Mr Tan Kok Siong, Michael, PBM
Member
Mr Sim Chee Siong, BBM
Member
Mr Siyo Nyok On, PBM
Member
Mr Soh Choon Heng, Philip
Member
Mr Chew Meng Hui, Winston
Member
Mr Chung See Fook, PBM
Member
Mr Malik Maksudi, PBM
Member
Mr Tan Chin Huat, Alfred
Member
Mdm Sa’diah Binte Imbek, PBM
Member
Mr Koh Hock Thye, Sam, PBM
Member
Mdm Loh Ai Pheng, Adalene,
PBM
Member
Mr Poon Chue On, John
Member
Mr Tan Kun Seng, Jackson
Member
Mr Ng Kie Cheow, Anthony
Member
Mr Abdul Rahman Bin Jais, PBS
Member
Dr Ting Seng Kiong
Member
Mr Seah Pit San, Frank
Member
Ms Ong San San
Member
Mr Mohamad Hashim Bin
Mohd Shah
Member
Mr Gurusamy Selvaraj
Member
Mdm Kalyani d/o Ramasamy,
PBM
Member
12 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee opened exhibitions for two LUPs and an NRP.
Mr Hawazi Daipi cut the ribbon to open an NRP exhibition.
Better homes
for all of us!
Mr K. Shanmugam opening the polls for an LUP in his division.
You’ll find many parties taking place in our Town – and
quite a few of them are held in celebration of good things
that are coming! New lifts, upgrades to our estates, and
now, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme brings
improvements on an even bigger scale. Yes, it’s smiles all
around, for an even better town.
When: 30 July
Where: Blk 404 Yishun Avenue 6
Why: To open the polls for an LUP for
16 nearby blocks. Nearly everyone voted
Yes – so they will soon have lifts that stop at
every floor.
The children loved the backchat the chicken gave the ventiloquist.
With a good crowd to watch, the SCDF taught us how to fight fire.
When: 27 August
Where: Blk 121, Yishun Street 11
Why: To open polling for an LUP for six
blocks here. The Yeas had it and all blocks
will soon have lifts that stop at every floor.
These brothers thought the new drop-off porches were great.
When: 21 August
Where: Blk 319 Woodlands St 31
Why: To unveil the NRP plans
that will benefit 29 blocks at
Woodlands Ave 1 and Streets 31 and
32. Among other things, those in the
neighbourhood can look forward to
more pavilions, hardcourts, covered
linkways and drop-off porches.
You always have to have some entertainment at a polling launch.
The emcee said “Do you want an NRP?” and the kids said “Yes!”
november 2010
sembawang heart talk 13
The Public Service Star (Bar)
BBM (L)
The Public Service Star
BBM
Congratulations to these eight Town Councillors who
were honoured with Public Service medals for their
outstanding contributions to the community.
Mr Cheong Khim Teck, JP, BBM(L)
Chairman, Marsiling CCC
Mr Johari Bin Ahamad, PBM
Chairman, ACE The Place CC MAEC
The Public Service Medal
PBM
Mr Norman Aw Kai Aik, BBM
Chairman, Canberra CCC
Mr Oh Cheng Kiat, PBM
Vice-Chairman, Canberra CCC
Mr Malik Bin Maksudi, PBM
Chairman, Marsiling C2E
Mdm Lee Siew Khim, PBM
Chairperson, Nee Soon Central Zone 8 RC
Mr Patrick Jaya Anthony, PBM
Chairman, Nee Soon East Zone 4 RC
Mr Siyo Nyok On, PBM
Vice-Chairman, Admiral Garden CCMC
When: 24 September
Where: Blk 353 Yishun Ring Road
Why: To start polling for an LUP.
With a strong Yes vote, 20 blocks in
the neighbourhood will soon have lifts
that stop at every floor.
These residents thought the “dogwalk” was a great idea!
When: 25 September
Where: Near Block 407
Why: To celebrate the Lantern Festival
and unveil the plans for an NRP that will
benefit 35 blocks built around the Nee
Soon East Park. The plans had dozens of
improvements, including covered linkways,
drop-off porches and fitness facilities.
This model showed exactly where the new lift would fit.
The little ones found the lanterns more interesting than the plans.
14 sembawang heart talk november 2010
Playing it
Safe
Mr Soo Kwok Meng and Mis Chiau Mei Choo bounce a heavy electronic measuring device on the
rubber flooring to make sure that its shock absorbency still meets safety specifications.
T
Checking distances between play equipment and the
edge of the rubber surfacing.
Using the torso and head probes to ensure that the
playground has no entrapment hazards.
This is the “fish” probe, used to identify any possible
entanglement hazards.
This is the smallest of a set of gauges used by the
engineers to check there are no dangerous projections.
he test above is done once a year in all
our playgrounds. On the left you see
four of the hundreds of checks every
playground goes through before the Town
Council will accept it from the installer.
But the careful visual check every
playground gets every six months (right) is
just as important.
With your help, these visual inspections
can be made every day!
If you see any of these, call the Town Council
1. Vandalism. Besides ruining the appearance
of a playground, vandals can create real
dangers for children.
2. Damaged flooring. Major damage reduces
the safety which rubber flooring can provide.
3. Splinters, splits, and decay in wooden
parts. Rust or cracks in metal parts. Splits or
cracks in plastic parts.
4. Missing or damaged parts, particularly
nuts, bolts and screws fixing equipment.
Pastikan taman permainan
kanak-kanak selamat
U
jian di atas dilakukan setiap tahun di
semua taman permainan kanak-kanak
kita. Di sebelah kiri, anda lihat empat
daripada ratusan pemeriksaan yang setiap
taman permainan kanak-kanak lalui sebelum
Majlis Bandaran akan menerimanya daripada
syarikat pemasang.
Tetapi pemeriksaan teliti secara mata
kasar yang dibuat terhadap setiap taman
permainan kanak-kanak enam bulan sekali
(kanan) juga sama pentingnya.
Dengan bantuan anda, pemeriksaan
secara mata kasar ini boleh dibuat setiap hari!
Jika anda melihat mana-mana daripada ini,
hubungi Majlis Bandaran
1. Vandalism. Selain mencacatkan rupa taman
permainan kanak-kanak, perosak-perosak
harta awam ini boleh mendatangkan bahaya
kepada kanak-kanak.
2. Lantai rosak. Kerosakan besar pada lantai
getah akan mengurangkan keselamatan yang
disediakan oleh lantai itu.
3. Serpihan, rekahan dan kereputan pada
bahagian-bahagian kayu. Karat dan retak pada
bahagian-bahagian logam. Rekahan atau retak
pada bahagian-bahagian plastik.
4. Bahagian-bahagian yang hilang atau
rosak, terutama sekali nut, bolt dan skru yang
mengikat bahagian-bahagian pada alat ini.
A small part of the equipment has been vandalised,
baring a metal part that is a projecting hazard.
A bolt has come loose on a rider. It is not a danger –
yet – but should be tightened as soon as possible.
november 2010
sembawang heart talk 15
Clean hands are safe hands
On 7 October, staff from the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and
several nearby long-term care facilities attended a presentation that
explained – in shocking detail – just how important it is to wash your hands.
W
ell, you already know that it’s important
to wash your hands, don’t you? It prevents
the spread of germs – you learned that
years ago, so who needs a lecture?
We all need to be lectured about it. Because
few of us think about the growing danger of the
germs we might pass on. The fact is: there are killer
germs out there against which we have no defence.
When penicillin was invented in 1946, it took
just one year before there was a germ resistant to
penicillin. And so it has been ever since. Germs
will develop a strain resistant to a new drug within
one or two years of its launch. Yet it costs about
one billion dollars to develop such a drug.
Beware of supergerms
You probably heard the recent news that there is a
new germ in Singapore – originally spotted in New
Delhi – that is resistant to absolutely every drug we
have at the moment.
You don’t want to catch that. You don’t
want to take it home to your family. And most
importantly, you don’t want it getting spread
around in KTPH and our nursing homes.
Dr Ooi Say Tat, a consultant with the
infection control team at the hospital, explained
that there are only two ways to fight these
supergerms: (1) develop a new drug to kill them
or (2) prevent their spread.
As the supergerm will
develop a strain resistant
to any new drug in about
year, we must prevent their
spread.
Hand washing – or
rubbing your hands with
an alcohol sterilizer – has
Dr Ooi Say Tat
been proved the most
effective way to control the spread of infection.
He showed the audience at the Learning
Centre in KTPH that, although everyone knows
this, and knows exactly what they should do,
they don’t do it all the time. For example, a doctor
forgets to wash between shaking hands with two
patients. It’s “the gap between knowing and doing.”
Everybody’s business
Lectures, presentations, reminders, posters, all
of these can increase awareness, and help people
expect frequent hand-washing. More importantly,
everyone in healthcare, all their patients and the
general public must be involved in these efforts to
stop the spead of the supergerms.
A good way to help anyone make a habit of
hand-washing is to tell them when they forget. Not
easy. It means you have to watch them.
Dancing to their song, “I can, so can you,” children from the Little Skool
House International put across their message that infection prevention
is everybody’s business. Their performance was just one element in the
afternoon program arranged for the community by KTPH.
Since it it so important that everyone in
KTPH makes a habit of hand-washing, a team of
volunteer auditors will help to do the watching.
Miss Ratna Herlina has been such a volunteer
for a couple of months now. She finds it very
interesting. “When we go into the wards, we just
note who remembers to wash their hands and
who forgets. We audit, we don’t police. We tell the
patients we are trainees and talk to them.”
It’s a pleasant way to spend an afternoon,
yet the volunteers are a huge help to the infection
control team. If it sounds like something you could
spend four to six hours a week doing, just call
Desiree Low on 6555 8000 and volunteer.
Want to
make a
Difference?
Volunteer
as an
auditor.
Miss Ratna Herlina
The Primary Care Partnership Scheme to cover more chronic diseases
T
he Primary Care Partnership Scheme
(PCPS) was introduced in 2000 to allow
means-tested elderly Singaporeans to receive
acute care treatment (e.g. coughs and colds) from
participating private General Practitioners (GPs)
at subsidised rates.
If you are elderly and needy, PCPS makes it
convenient for you to get subsidised care near to
your home, without travelling to a polyclinic.
Over the years, PCPS has been extended to
basic dental services as well as chronic diseases
such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Lipid
Disorders in order to help needy patients.
The Ministry of Health has announced
that from 1 April 2011, the PCPS will cover five
more chronic diseases: Stroke, Asthma, Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Schizophrenia
and Major Depression.
About 8,000 more Singaporeans will benefit from the expanded PCPS. Under it they can
receive subsidised outpatient care at their neighbourhood participating GPs, at rates comparable
to polyclinics.
PCPS makes treatment by your own family
doctor more convenient and accessible if you
are needy, elderly and have acute or chronic
conditions.
Currently, there are about 28,500 PCPS card
holders. Last year, participating GPs served nearly
60,000 clinic attendances for them – about 53,000
for acute medical conditions and 7,000 for chronic
diseases. Overall, about $1.2 million in subsidies
were paid under PCPS, to reduce the medical
expenses of needy patients.
To be eligible for PCPS, you must be a
Singapore Citizen and either on the Public
Assistance Scheme or have a per capita household
monthly income of $800 or less and be either
at least 65 years old or disabled, i.e. unable to
perform at least one of the six activities of daily
living (ADLs) such as bathing, feeding or dressing.
To apply for PCPS, you or a family member
can go to any CC or CDC. If you have a disability,
you will also need to undergo a assessment. For
more information, please visit: www.moh.gov.sg
16 sembawang heart talk november 2010
When?
Where?
Opening Of Greenwood Sanctuary
Sunday, 26 December, 7.30pm-10pm
Next to Greenwood Primary School
Scholarship And Bursary Presentation
Sunday, 8 January, 8.30am onwards
Innova JC
Chinese New Year Dinner
Saturday, 12 February, 7.30pm-10pm
Hardcourt next to Christ Church
Secondary School
Vasantha Oli 2010
Saturday, 11 December, 7pm-10pm
Field beside the Woodlands MRT
End Of Year Party
Saturday, 18 December, 6pm-10pm
Jelutong Harbour park
Hypersterial Countdown 2011
Friday, 31 December,
Field beside the Woodlands Civic Centre
Briskwalkers Loyalty Redemption Exercise
Thursday, 20 January, 2.30pm-9.30pm
The Jelutong CC Hall
Pizza Party
Sunday, 12 December, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Chong Pang CC Roof Terrace
Christmas Party
Sunday, 19 December, 7.30pm-10pm
Chong Pang CC Hall
Briskwalking Anniversary Dinner
Sunday, 19 December, 7.30pm-10.30pm Sembawang Mega Games Court
Scholarship and Bursary Presentation
Sunday, 9 January, 9am-1pm
Chong Pang CC Hall
Hongbao Presentation
Sunday, 16 January, 9am-1pm
Chong Pang CC Hall
Sembawang Town Council
What?
Admiralty:
Canberra:
Chong Pang:
Marsiling:
Magical Dance Night
Saturday. 11 December, 6.30pm-9.30pm Fuchun CC
Countdown
Friday, 31 December, 6.30pm-12.30am
Marsiling CC
Marsiling Chinese Orchestra
Friday, 14 January, 7.30pm-10pm
Singapore Conference Hall
Financial And Health Talk
Saturday, 8 January, 10am-2pm
Fuchun CC
Ponggal Celebration
Sunday, 16 January, 9.30am-12.30pm
Fuchun CC
Sunday, 9 January, 9.30am-12noon
Sembawang CC
Sembawang:
Scholarship and Bursary Presentation
Sembawang GRC Residents’ Day and
Sunday, 23 January, 8am-11.30am
Woodlands Waterfront Completion Ceremony
Woodlands Waterfront
Lunar New Year Celebration Dinner
Saturday, 12 February, 7.30pm -10pm
Sembawang CC
Chingay @ North 2011 (Mid-point)
Saturday, 19 February, 7.30pm -10pm
Hardcourt at Blk 717 Woodlands Dr 70
Floor Party at Zone 9
Sunday, 5 December, 3pm-5pm
Block 652 Woodlands Ring Rd
Hypersteria! Countdown 2011
Friday, 31 December, 8pm-12.15am
Field beside Woodlands Civic Centre
Christmas In Woodlands
Saturday, 18 December, 4pm-9.30pm
Woodlands CC
Chingay @ 888 Plaza
Saturday, 19 February, 7.30pm -10pm
888 Plaza Woodlands Ave 4
Children's Christmas Party
Saturday, 18 December, 7pm-10.30pm
Blk 636 Yishun St 61
Christmas Dinner and Dance
Saturday, 25 December, 7pm-10.30pm
Pin Si Restaurant at Yishun SAFRA
Scholarship and Bursary Presentation
Tuesday, 28 December, 7pm-10pm
Hardcourt next to Yishun Polyclinic
Mega Dangut Hiphop Remix Nite
Saturday, 8 January, 6pm-10.30pm
Hardcourt next to Blk 924 Yishun Central
Hong Bao Presentation
Sunday, 23 January, 9am-12.30pm
Field before Nee Soon Central CC
Christmas Party
Saturday, 11 December, 2.30pm-5pm
Nee Soon East Park, Blk 407
Children’s Christmas Party
Saturday, 18 December, 7pm-10pm
Nee Soon East Community Club
Edusave Awards Ceremony
Saturday, 8 January, 4pm-6.30pm
Nee Soon East Community Club
Edusave Awards Ceremony
Sunday, 9 January, 1pm-6.30pm
Nee Soon East Community Club
Chingay @ North 2011
Saturday, 19 February, 7.30pm -10pm
Woodlands:
Nee Soon East:
pick the pics
To win in this easy contest, put a number from 1 to 9 on each of the pictures below (all are full size
in this issue of Heart Talk) to show your order of preference. If your list is the first to agree with our
judges’ choice, you win. Their decisions are final. Your entry must be on this form and must reach
The PR Manager, Blk 306A Woodlands St 31, #02-00, Singapore 731306, by 31 December, 2010.
My Name________________________
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_______________________________
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Great prizes to be won: 1st prize: $100. 2nd prize: $60. 3rd prize: $30. Plus five great consolation prizes!!!
For more updates of what’s happening in our Town, visit us at www.sembawangtc.org.sg, or become a fan of “SembawangTC” on Facebook.
Publicity and Public
Relations Committee:
Advisor:
Mr Hawazi Daipi
Chairman:
Mr Ang Chee Yam, JP, BBM
Co-Chairman:
Mr Gopala Krishnan, JP, BBM
Members: Mr Omer Farook, PBM;
Mr Oh Cheng Kiat, PBM;
Mr Shaw Kar Seng, Bob, PBM;
Mr Jayapalan s/o Krishnan, PBM;
Hj Mahmud bin Hj Ali, PBM;
Mr Tan Kok Siong, Michael, PBM;
Mr Sam Koh Hock Thye, PBM;
Ms Loh Ai Pheng, Adalene, PBM;
Mr Gurusamy Selvaraj;
Mdm Kalyani d/o Ramasamy, PBM
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Consolation
Nee Soon Central:
Heart Talk is published quarterly
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www.sembawangtc.org.sg
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