AHA magazine 2018 Issue 1

ISSUE

ONE 2018

A D V O C A T E S F O R H E A LT H I N A C T I O N

Our latest news & expert views

CLEAR THE WAY FOR HEALTHY EYES

MCI (P) 193/03/2017

RISK FACTORS OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND HOW TO PROTECT YOUR VISION

I START THE YEAR ON A HEALTHY NOTE P3 I UNDERSTAND AND PREVENT STROKE P4 I YISHUN HEALTH PARTNERS SG ENABLE P16 I NATIONAL DAY AWARD WINNERS P18

PUBLISHER

CONTENTS

8

ISSUE ONE 2018

Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Admiralty Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital. It also includes extensions such as Wellness Kampung.

EDITORIAL TEAM Albert Foo Sharon Ng Sabrina Ng Hannah Wong

COVER

CLEAR SIGHT HEALTHY EYES

www.ktph.com.sg 90 Yishun Central Singapore 768828

Understanding age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Tel: (65) 6555 8000 Email: enquiry@alexandrahealth.com.sg

PUBLISHING AGENT

3

HEALTH BUZZ Latest wellness tips

14

NEWS & NOTES Happenings at Yishun Health

REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR

Lee Walsh

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Sarin Wee

EXECUTIVE CONTENT DIRECTOR

Rod Mackenzie

CONTENT DIRECTOR

Ming Rodrigues CONTRIBUTORS

Winnie Leung Janice Lin SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Ginny Gay

PROJECT MANAGER

Doreen Lau Email:

yourcontent@publicitas.com

4

WELLNESS Beware of stroke

17

INSPIRE Award-winning staff

AHa is the official bi-monthly publication of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (Co. Reg. No. 200717564H) and is produced by NewBase Content (Co. Reg. No. 200715901E). All rights to this publication are reserved and no part may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter is accurate and up to date, the editorial team will not be responsible for errors due to information received. Opinions expressed are that of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the publishers.

Printed by KHL Printing Co. MCI (P) 193/03/2017

3 HEALTH BUZZ

TRENDS, TIPS AND IDEAS TO INSPIRE A BETTER YOU STRONG RELATIONSHIPS, STRONG BRAINS?

SLEEP TIGHT

We all know how important it is to get the recommended six to eight hours of sleep each night. However, the quality of sleep is just as important.

Did you know that poor sleep quality due to sleep-disordered breathing can have a significant impact on your overall health, such as blood pressure control? Sleep-disordered breathing is a medical condition where oxygenation to your brain is affected when you sleep at night, which in turn can lead to poor concentration, excessive daytime sleepiness and long-term health issues. If you suspect you may have sleep-disordered breathing, it is important to consult your doctor.

Fight the flu

The December-to-February flu season is upon us.

To minimise your risk of catching the bug, get a flu jab. Immunisation is recommended annually, as flu viruses have a tendency to mutate quickly, so the vaccine is reformulated every year.

Meaningful relationships may be the key to maintaining cognitive ability and mental wellness, even as we age. A new study suggests that having supportive relationships is associated with better memory power in seniors. One possible reason for this association is that maintaining positive relationships helps keep the brain active and engaged.

Relationships provide opportunities for us to gather for stimulating conversations and take part in activities – from joining dance classes together or playing card games – that could boost brain fitness. Such activities may foster the preservation or creation of brain cells and neural connections, helping to slow degeneration.

Popular for busy fitnessconscious types, HIIT (high-intensity interval training conditions the body, but too much can lead to joint strain and muscle soreness. Try balancing workouts with lower-intensity exercises, like yoga, which focus on stretching and proper breathing, to allow your body to repair itself.

4 WELLNESS

DON’T LET STROKE HAPPEN!

Stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) can happen to anyone at any age. It may affect your friends, colleagues, loved ones and even yourself. But it is preventable. We all have a reason to prevent stroke – what’s yours?

BY DR JASMYN DE LEON, RESIDENT PHYSICIAN, ACUTE STROKE UNIT, GERIATRIC MEDICINE, KTPH

D

o you have high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes? Do you smoke and/or drink too much alcohol?

Are you aged 40 and over? Are you overweight? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you run a high chance of being vulnerable to stroke.

Stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is cut off.

Without adequate blood, which supplies oxygen and nutrients, the brain cells may be damaged or die. In fact, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute if stroke is left untreated. Stroke may affect a person’s mobility, sensation, speech, as well as how one thinks and feels.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally.

Stroke accounts for up to 1 in 12 deaths and, together with related diseases, was the fourth most common cause of death in Singapore.

Types of stroke

Haemorrhagic stroke • An artery bursts, causing bleeding inside or around brain tissue • A common cause is uncontrolled hypertension Ischaemic stroke • A clot blocks an artery, stopping blood flow to a part of the brain • This is the most common type of stroke

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Weakness or numbness on one side of the body • Slurred speech, difficulty speaking • Loss of vision, double vision • Unsteadiness while walking, uncoordinated movements • Giddiness together with one of the above symptoms • Severe headache • Loss of consciousness, coma

When you suspect an occurrence of stroke, seek immediate medical help as it can lower your risk of permanent brain tissue damage.

Early stroke detection and treatment can save your life.

What are the common causes and risk factors?

• Age. Those 40 years old and above are prone – but even younger people can get stroke • Male • High blood pressure • Smoking • High cholesterol • Diabetes mellitus • Irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation) • Previous stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA, also known as a “mini stroke”) • Excessive alcohol intake • Obesity

5 WELLNESS

6 WELLNESS

When you suspect an occurrence of stroke, seek immediate medical help as it can lower your risk of permanent brain tissue damage. Early stroke detection and treatment can save your life.

Beware of atrial fibrillation

Normally, your heart contacts and relaxes to a regular beat. In atrial fibrillation (AFib), the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat irregularly instead of beating effectively to guide blood into the ventricles. As AFib allows blood to slow or pool, it increases the risk of clotting and with it, your risk of stroke.

Did you know…

• About 500,000 Singaporeans are affected by AFib • 15–20 per cent of strokes are due to AFib

What tests are done?

Several tests help establish the degree of damage to the brain and whether the stroke was caused by a clot or bleeding in the brain.

They are: • Brain scans such as computerised tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) • Blood tests • Checking the heart rhythm and ultrasound scan of the heart (2D echocardiography) • Ultrasound scan of the main artery in the neck (carotid artery) • X-rays of the veins and arteries (angiogram) You will also be monitored for: • Blood pressure • Heart rhythm • Alertness and conscious level • Muscle strength • Balance while walking and sitting • Ability to perform functional activities • Swallowing – to monitor if you can eat and drink safely

What are the treatments available?

If symptoms occur within 4.5 hours of experiencing acute

ischemic stroke, a recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is used as treatment. It breaks down the blood clot and restores blood flow to the brain.

This may improve or resolve neurological problems.

Apart from rtPA, the use of blood thinners such as antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications reduce the risk of stroke occurring again. While in the hospital, the patient’s condition is closely monitored – about 20 per cent of patients may get worse over the following hours to days after the onset of stroke. In some cases, they may require surgery to relieve the intracranial pressure.

Rehabilitation is the backbone of stroke management.

Physiotherapy facilitates the recovery of a damaged brain and may greatly improve the outcome of the neurological problems caused by stroke. It can also further reduce stroke complications and mortality rate.

To prevent recurring strokes, medications such as aspirin, a blood thinner or a statin (cholesterol-lowering drug) are used.

What to do to lower the risk of stroke:

• Control high blood pressure • Do moderate exercise five times a week • Eat a healthy, balanced diet • Reduce “bad” cholesterol • Maintain a healthy BMI or waist-to-hip ratio • Stop smoking and avoid second-hand exposure • Reduce alcohol intake • Identify and treat atrial fibrillation • Manage diabetes When stroke happens, immediate medical attention is necessary to improve the chance of survival and good recovery.

7 WELLNESS

Signs of stroke:

Do the FAST check

F

ace dropped.

What to do: Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven?

A

rms weakened.

What to do: Ask the person to lift up both arms. Does one arm drift down?

S

T

peech is slurred.

What to do: Ask them to speak. Are the words mixed up or slurred?

ime to call 995 for an ambulance, if any of the above occur.

Understanding Stroke Matters World Stroke Day (29 October) is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of the prevention and treatment of stroke. Different sectors of society play a role in supporting the advocacy to fight stroke and build commitment in reducing the burden of stroke at a global, regional and local level. In keeping with the occasion, Yishun Health organised its first Stroke Awareness Day on 17 October 2017, led by the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) stroke team. The Stroke Awareness Day strengthened our individual voices on emphasising stroke prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

The KTPH stroke team, comprising doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, worked together to coordinate a public exhibition themed “Understanding Stroke Matters”. The Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA), represented by members who are stroke survivors themselves, participated in the event to educate the public about life after stroke.

Different booths featured information on the journey of a stroke patient, from symptom recognition and treatment, to rehabilitation and inclusion back to the community. The rehabilitation team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists showcased their respective expertise in facilitating a stroke patient’s recovery. The exhibition’s highlight was the featured stories of three stroke survivors, who became volunteers as stroke patient befrienders and fellow advocates promoting stroke awareness to the public.

The Stroke Awareness Day activities culminated in the launch of the National Stroke Awareness Campaign led by the Stroke Service Improvement Team on 29 October 2017 at Hong Kah North Community Club. A community walk led by SNSA entitled “Stepping Out for Stroke 2017” was held, which started at Ang Mo Kio Town Garden West and ended at Yio Chu Kang Community Club.

8

CLEAR FEATURE

SIGHT HEALTHY EYES DO BLANK SPOTS OR HAZINESS AFFECT YOUR VISION AND STRAIGHT LINES SOMETIMES APPEAR WAVY? IF YOU’VE EXPERIENCED THESE, SEE YOUR DOCTOR – YOU MAY HAVE AGERELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

BY DR LEKHA GOPAL, SENIOR CONSULTANT, OPHTHALMOLOGY AND VISUAL SCIENCES, KTPH

9 FEATURE

A

ge-related macular degeneration (AMD) – which is the deterioration of the central portion of the retina (macula) at the back of the eye – is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65 in developed countries. AMD affects central vision that is necessary for recognising faces, driving, reading and looking at details.

What are the risk factors? Old age, being female, having a fairer complexion, lack of antioxidants in the eyes and smoking can lead to AMD. There are two types: Dry AMD This is characterised by yellow deposits in the macula and loss of retinal cells, resulting in changes in central vision.

• It is more common than wet AMD • Vision loss is not severe except

in the advanced stages • The condition worsens slowly • It cannot be treated but disease progression can be slowed with the use of supplements Wet AMD This occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the eye, leaking fluid and blood into the macula.

• It is less common than dry AMD • It often results in severe vision loss but if caught early, it can be treated

Do you have AMD? Look out for these signs: • Spots floating in front of your eyes • Blurred vision • Dark streaks or a red film blocking your vision • Distorted vision

5 10

FEATURE

Regular eye screening every two years is recommended, as early treatment can correct or prevent further loss of your vision.

There is no known effective treatment for dry AMD. Progression of the disease may be slowed through eating foods rich in antioxidants (e.g. zinc, lutien) and vitamins A, C and E. For those diagnosed with wet AMD, vision may be saved or managed with treatment during the early stages.

However, at the late stage, visual loss is irreversible.

Treatment options

• Injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents into the eye to shrink abnormal blood vessels and reduce leakage • Cold laser (photodynamic therapy or PDT) treatments to destroy abnormal blood vessels • Hot laser (laser photocoagulation) treatments for abnormal blood vessels located away from the centre of the retina Regular eye screening every two years is recommended if you are above 55. If your vision changes, see an eye specialist as soon as possible, as early treatment can correct or prevent further loss of your vision.

1

Control and monitor your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, as well as blood pressure and cholesterol

WAYS TO

HEALTHY

SIGHT

11 FEATURE

2

Watch your weight.

Being obese increases your chances of developing diabetes and AMD

FEED YOUR

EYES A nutrient-rich diet can reduce your risk of eye disease. Good eye health needs‌

3

Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables

4

Quit smoking. Studies have shown that smokers have a three-fold risk of developing AMD

Omega-3 fatty acids

Eat two portions of oily fish a week, such as salmon, mackerel and sardines

Vitamins E and zinc

A handful (125g) of nuts is a rich source of vitamins and trace elements

Antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, and vitamins A and C

Eat at least two portions each of fruits and vegetables daily

5

Go for regular eye screening. Early detection and treatment can save your sight

12 FEATURE

SMOKING

& AMD 1. Smoking is the single most important modifiable environmental risk factor for developing AMD.

2. People living with a smoker have double the risk of developing AMD.

3. Ex-smokers who smoked fewer than 20 cigarettes a day share similar risk of AMD as non-smokers, regardless when they quit.

4. Cigarette smoke contains toxic compounds that are absorbed through the lungs and travel through the bloodstream, causing oxidative damage, and vascular changes and inflammation to the retina.

QUIT TIPS If smoking is a habit:

• Change your daily routine. Need a cigarette with coffee? Drink juice instead. Enjoy a cigarette after meals? Dine with non-smokers.

• When the urge to smoke strikes, munch on healthy snacks, If you smoke to relieve suck on a low stress or boredom: sugar sweet or • Take up a sport; you’ll be fitter chew non-sugar and healthier gum, and keep • Try deep breathing exercises or your hands busy other relaxation techniques with work or • Treat yourself with the savings chores you gain from not smoking and sign up for a new hobby

If you are addicted:

• Spend more time in places where smoking is banned (malls, libraries, cineplexes) • Consult your pharmacist or doctor on pharmacotherapy.

At the KTPH Smoking Cessation Clinic, our pharmacists can help you prepare for a smoke-free life and support you on your journey to better health.

For more information, call 6555 8828

13 EAT WELL

TOMATO AND CHILLI SALSA

PRODUCED BY KTPH NUTRITION & DIETETICS AND FOOD SERVICES

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Method

4 medium tomatoes, diced

1. Mix tomatoes,

1 large red chilli, finely chopped

chilli and onion together in a large bowl.

1 lime, juice and zest

2. Add in the rest

½ medium white onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp coriander, finely chopped 2 tbsp olive oil ½ tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper to taste

of the ingredients, mix well.

3. Serve with corn

chips or pita bread.

The salsa will stay fresh for up to five days when kept in a sealed container and stored in the fridge.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING) Energy 84kcal Carbohydrates 4g Protein 2g Fat 6g Saturated fat 1g Cholesterol 0mg Dietary fibre 2g Sodium 33mg

NEWS & NOTES

KTPH LAUNCHES AMD WEEK 2017!

A

wareness of Macular Diseases Week 2017 (AMD Week 2017) was launched on 16 September at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah, Advisor to Nee Soon South GROs and MP for Nee Soon GRC. The focus of this year’s event was on smoking and the damage it can do to the eyes.

During her speech, Er Dr Lee appealed to the audience and Nee Soon South residents to quit smoking to protect their health. She also encouraged those currently cutting back on smoking, as well as those not ready to quit, to use the Designated Smoking Points (DSPs) she helped set up across the estates. As smokers run a higher risk of developing eye disease, vision charts developed by the KTPH Eye Department have been installed at all 50 DSPs, with the hope that smokers will practise the vision charts’ simple eye test while at the DSP. Subsequently, this would prompt them to go for a thorough eye check should they notice problems with their sight.

At the event, more than 250 people had their eyes tested for four of the most common causes of blindness in Singapore: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Participants included residents from Nee Soon South as well as 170 residents of Kreta Ayer. Dr Lily Neo, MP for Jalan Besar GRC (Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng) also visited KTPH; there, she chatted to residents after their check-ups and explained to those who needed follow-up eye checks on the assistance available.

14 NEWS & NOTES

BRINGING SPORTS CARE TO THE WTA AND BEYOND

T

he Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals is heralded as the most prestigious event in the WTA calendar and has been taking place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium since 2014. It is the culmination of a year-long season, after which the top eight women’s singles players and doubles teams battle to achieve their final rankings. Each year, the event draws thousands of local and international spectators together with millions of television viewers.

For 2017’s edition, held 22 to 29 October, the Sports Medicine Centre at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) were privileged to provide medical coverage for this elite group of athletes during their two-week residency in Singapore. This included providing courtside care, hotel visits, onsite sports ultrasound imaging and having the rest of KTPH on standby in case one of the players required further medical coverage. The KTPH team

consisted of sports physicians Dr Ong Joo Haw and Dr Dinesh Sirisena, and sports surgeons Dr James Tan and Dr Timothy Teo. “This opportunity would not have been possible without the backing of our senior management – their advice, help and unwavering support was invaluable,” said Dr Sirisena and Dr Ong, Sports Medicine Consultants,

KTPH. “We also thank the clinical departments and colleagues from operations and corporate communications for their support of the event. We were able to demonstrate that our Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Centre is able to provide timely and appropriate treatment for world-class, elite, international athletes at the peak of their careers.”

Services provided by the Sports Medicine Centre at KTPH: • Acupuncture • Biomechanical assessment • Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) • Musculoskeletal screening • Nutrition consultation • Physiotherapy • Podiatry • Specialised Ultrasound Guided Therapies including: • High volume injections • Tendon stripping • Prolotherapy • Platelet-rich plasma • Hydro-dilatation • Facet joint injections • Sports and fitness screening • Sports massage • Sports ultrasound

Top, from left: KTPH sports physician Dr Ong Joo Haw (left) and sports surgeon Dr Timothy Teo pose with 2016 WTA finalist Svetlana Kuznetsova; proudly representing KTPH at the 2017 WTA Finals. Above: Dr Ong on the court after an exciting match

• Video gait analysis and running retraining

15 NEWS & NOTES

RAISING THE BAR IN PROMOTING WORKPLACE HEALTH

Y

ishun Health was awarded for its efforts in building a Health Promoting Hospital, receiving the Excellence Award in the Singapore HEALTH Awards.

The biennial award by the Health Promotion Board stands for “Helping Employees Achieve Life-Time Health”, and it recognises companies with outstanding workplace health promotion practices. The ceremony was held on 10 October 2017, and the award was received by Mrs Chew Kwee Tiang, KTPH and Yishun Health CEO.

Yishun Health celebrating their Excellence Award win at the Singapore HEALTH Awards

AN EYE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Albert Sim’s Affiliate Award-winning photo showing retinal detachment with a horseshoe tear

A

lbert Sim, Senior Imaging Specialist with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Department, was recently awarded the IMI

Affiliate Award at the 49th Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI) Annual Conference, held at the University of Nottingham in the UK. The IMI was founded in 1968

to set and maintain standards for the medical illustration profession. It brings together and represents clinical photographers, healthcare designers, medical artists and clinical video producers in the UK as well as internationally. The annual IMI Awards is presented to recognise excellence in clinical photography and videography, and healthcare design. The IMI Affiliate Award is given to the best entry – in photography, design or video – from a member of an affiliated organisation.

Albert has been a fellow member of the Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration since

1997 after his medical photography training in the UK. He actively participates in worldwide ophthalmic imaging and has achieved international recognition for his work, including the Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration (AIMBI)’s Best Digital Ophthalmic Imaging award in 2013 and 2016.

Albert’s Affiliate Award-winning photo also won the Merit Award at the BioCommunications Association USA Bioimages 2016, as well as third prize out of 174 entries at the 7th Picture Competition in Vision Research & Ophthalmology in 2015.

16 NEWS & NOTES

SG ENABLE PARTNERSHIP

Ms Cheng Oi Lin, a job coach with SG Enable, with two students assigned to pack medication at the KTPH Pharmacy

A

s part of our organisation’s commitment to build an inclusive workforce, Yishun Health has partnered SG Enable, an agency dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities.

Through this partnership, SG Enable links students up with an internship at Yishun Health, giving them the opportunity to get on-the-job

work training, thereby equipping them with the skills to gain employment in the future.

This year, 11 students embarked on a 40-week internship programme. They have been assigned to various departments across Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Yishun Community Hospital (YCH), including the Pharmacy store, Linen department,

Medical Records office and Environmental Services department.

According to Ms Cheng Oi Lin, Senior Executive with SG Enable and job coach of the Project IN internship with YHC: “The internship was an eyeopener for our 11 interns. It was a great opportunity for them to gain experience in the world of work. Being able to learn new skills and interact with others

in an open environment has given them a real boost in confidence.”

Ms Cheng added, “All this would not have happened without the support of their co-workers and supervisors.

We really appreciate their guidance and understanding, and look forward to Yishun Health’s continued support for our internship programme.”

17 INSPIRE

TAN CHIN TUAN AWARDS 2017

At this year’s Tan Chin Tuan Awards, held on 22 November 2017, Nur Shafina Binte Rizal Ar emerged third in a pool of 10 award winners

S

hafina is known and respected by her colleagues, patients and their families for her exemplary service, excellent work ethic, professional integrity, patience and compassion. For her outstanding contributions, the Senior Enrolled Nurse was presented with the Tan Chin Tuan Award.

Into its 12th year, the nursing award recognises promising and talented Enrolled Nurses who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in their work. It also offers an opportunity for winners to undergo specialist training to hone their skills and

raise the standards of nursing care. Founded by Dr Della Lee, Chairman of the D.S. Lee Foundation in 2005, the award is open to Enrolled Nurses working in all public and private healthcare institutions in Singapore.

From day to day, Shafina’s commitment towards her patients drives her to go above and beyond her duties. She personally communicates with them during clinical touch points – which identify patients’ unmet needs during their stay – and constantly strives to resolve them. Her positive outlook, strong communication skills and confidence allow her to engage the

clinical team during ward rounds, handovers and case discussions.

She makes recommendations to her colleagues on patients’ care plans, and when faced with difficult situations, she steps forward to proactively manage them before they escalate.

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP Among junior colleagues, Shafina stands out as a nursing leader while her experience and knowledge make her a valued resource among peers. The Senior Enrolled Nurse mentors junior nurses, guiding them through the complex healthcare environment. She also teaches, implements and reviews

practices in the ward, specifically on “Early Warning Signs” – which teaches nurses to detect subtle changes in a patient’s physiology – and “Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention”.

As testament to her dedication and care, Shafina has been a multiple recipient of the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) Service Champion Award. Outside of work, she is also an active volunteer in the community, motivating others to lead a healthy lifestyle through her positivity and energy.

With her commendable work ethic, Shafina is an exceptional role model to other nurses, and for the nursing profession.

18 INSPIRE

EXCELLENCE From healthcare to operations, our staff across departments shone bright at the National Day Awards – held on 21 November 2017 – which recognises merit and service to Singapore.

Meet our two Commendation Medal winners FATIMAH MOIDEEN KUTTY DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS ADMIN As the chief pharmacist at Alexandra Hospital (AH) in 2005, Fatimah played a key role in helping AH become the first hospital to pilot the Medication Reconciliation System for Inpatients in Singapore. The system, in which pharmacists look at patients’ current medication and medication history before handing the information over to doctors, was then rolled out across Singapore over the next few years.

Five years later, as deputy director of human resources at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), Fatimah led a team that helped standardise the medication-use process in nursing homes in Singapore. Fatimah, who began her career as a pharmacist at the National University Hospital (NUH) in 1991, was also the recipient of the Professor Lucy Wan Outstanding Pharmacist Award in 2007.

“It is about making a difference every day when I come to work.

When I sleep at the end of the day, I know I’ve given my best and have done my best to improve and make the systems better – for somebody who is a father, a mother, a patient or a loved one. That is what keeps me going.”

MS FATIMAH MOIDEEN KUTTY

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 12 OF OUR WINNERS! The Commendation Medal Ms Angela Lim Seow Hwee Deputy Director, Finance & Accounting Ms Fatimah Moideen Kutty Director, Operations Admin

19 INSPIRE

IN SERVICE ANGELA LIM SEOW HWEE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FINANCE & ACCOUNTING Angela joined Alexandra Hospital in 2001 and over the years, has managed and led the hospital’s Management Accounting function.

She was instrumental in the establishment of the new KTPH, which opened in 2010. She helped set up the requisite accounting systems and finance-related functions, which are all part of the vision to provide a new model of healthcare in north Singapore.

Since then, Angela has contributed to the smooth operation and financial viability of KTPH, working together with senior management to assist and advise them on funding and financing. Subsequently, Angela was also involved in the establishment of Yishun Community Hospital and Admiralty Medical Centre, working tirelessly to develop models of care catered to current healthcare challenges.

The Efficiency Medal

“I am fortunate to have appreciative bosses and supportive colleagues. Since young, I have been reminded to do my best in the work I do. I hope that my winning this award will inspire others to put in their best efforts.

Eventually though, it is not an individual effort but team work that matters.”

MS ANGELA LIM

The Long Service Medal

Ms P Sivamalar D/O Palaniappan A/Prof Subramaniam Nurse Clinician, Major Tavintharan Operating Theatre Director and Senior Consultant, Diabetes Ms Ang Poh Lian Centre, AdMC Senior Staff Nurse, Nursing Administration Ms Julita Binte Sarmiten Senior Nurse Manager, Ms Kamisah Binti Hassan Ward A62 Assistant Nurse Clinician, Day Surgery Centre

Ms Thenmoli D/O R Periasamy Nurse Clinician, Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic Ms K Vasantha Devi Principal Assistant Nurse, General Medicine Clinic

A/Prof Wong Lee Yuen Senior Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery Ms Fauziah Bte Saban Nurse Clinician, Major Operating Theatre Ms Tan Kim Ann Assistant Nurse Clinician, ICU 1 (CCU)

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