SHaPE for NHGDians HEALTHY COOKING CLASS
NHGD @ the Singapore HEALTH Awards 2008
What you eat determines how healthy you are! NHGDians had their experience about it in the Healthy Cooking Class coordinated by the Shape committee. Mr.Jimmy Chaw shared his tips and expertise with the excited, cheerful bunch of 24 NHGDians who were interested in making sure they stay healthy with cooking tips. They had their hands on two delicious but healthy recipes of Braised Shimeji Mushroom with Spinach and Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapple. So what else did they learn? NHGDians are not only professionals in their own fields, but they are also good team players and good cooks too!
Sweet & Sour Chicken with Pineapple Ingredients: • ½ piece fresh pineapple • 200g chicken thigh fillet • ½ piece green bell pepper • ½ red bell pepper • 6 slices pickled young ginger • 1tsp minced garlic Marinade: • ½ tbsp Chinese cooking oil • ½ tsp light soy sauce • A dash of potato sauce • A dash of sesame oil
Skin chicken thigh fillet and slice. Wash, drain dry and mix with marinade. Cut pineapple, green bell pepper and red pepper into pieces. Wash and drain dry. Heat wok, add a little oil, stir-fry garlic, add in chicken thigh slices and stir-fry. Add pineapple, young ginger slices, green and red bell pepper. Add seasoning and stir–fry for a while more. Add thickening and serve.
Managing Editor
E-mail: askNHGD@diagnostics.nhg.com.sg
Dr Tyrone Goh Pamela Ding
Editor
Anitha Reddy
Members
Fadzillah Amri Bin Hashim Serene Chew Qing Fang
Special Thanks Sherrie Lim Jen Nee Lee Xenia Adversalo
MICA (P) 249/06/2008
The Singapore HEALTH Awards is a national recognition given to workplaces with workplace programmes. NHGD General Manager Ms. Pamela Ding was honoured to receive the award from HPB CEO, Mr. Lam Pin Woon at the Suntec City Convention Centre on November 20, 2008. As Mr. Lam Pin Woon stated in his welcome address, “Workplace Health is a long-term commitment that requires the sustained and persistent efforts of both employers and employees in order to reap tangible results.” Through SHaPE Health and Safety programmes, NHGD will continue its efforts to support and promote a healthy lifestyle amongst all NHGDians.
We welcome your feedback on NHGD Live D’Edge SERVICE CENTRES
Advisory Team
ISSUE 2 Jan - Mar 09
So stay Healthy and Power up Everyday!
Editorial Team Janice Tan
NHG Diagnostics received its first Bronze Award at the Singapore HEALTH (Helping Employees Achieve Life-Time Health) Awards, joining 358 organisations committed to establishing a healthy workforce.
Live D’edge
We could not have done it without the efforts of the SHaPE committee and all NHDians’ active participation.
Seasoning: • 1tbsp ketchup • 1tbsp rice vinegar • 1tbsp sugar • 2tbsp water • 1tsp potato starch
Live D’edge
D’edge
Call Centre: 6275 6443 (6 Ask-NHGD)
We are at: NHGD Polyclinics • Ang Mo Kio • Bukit Batok • Choa Chu Kang • Clementi • Hougang
Mobile Units • Mammobus • Mobile Digital X-ray 1 • Mobile Digital X-ray 2 • Mobile Clinic
• Jurong East • Toa Payoh • Woodlands • Yishun
Hospitals/Medical Centres • Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital • Buangkok Green Medical Park • Jurong Medical Centre • NHG Diagnostics @ Woodlands • University Health, Wellness & Counselling Centre (NUS) • St. Luke’s Hospital • West Point Hospital
Reaching out LX@Chronicles The Mammobus journeys further! Diagnostic Services at your doorstep A day in the diary of a Patient Service Associate
Check inside for more!
The
Mammobus journeys further! Greetings from
D’edge
NHG Diagnostics is pleased to present the second issue of our brand new newsletter! Aptly titled Live D’ Edge, you can expect a more dynamic presentation of the latest happenings within the Group.
This newsletter is coming to you hot on the heels of our previous bulletin. The editorial team was certainly inspired to give this literature the edge deserving of our Group’s vibrancy. Aligned with our Group cluster’s vision of “Adding years of healthly life” to the people of Singapore, NHG Diagnostics
remains committed to achieving a one-stop world-class diagnostic centre known to all as accessible, cost-effective, seamless, timely and accurate. In this issue, you’ll get to know more about the work carried out by our key personnel and revisit the impressive growth of our mobile fleet. Highlights include our latest Chronicles gettogether at the Botanic Gardens, themed ‘Love in the Air, Sex In the City’. Also featured are some of our impressive wins at the 23rd Singapore-Malaysia Radiographers’ Conference 2008.
We hope our work will impress you. Happy reading, everyone!
Janice
A heartfelt Congratulations from the NHGD Family!
winners and the following participants were duly awarded for their hard work. Congratulations! to you!
Hardworking NHGDians from across Singapore gathered together on a sunny Saturday afternoon to engage in fun-filled, interactive activities as well as get updated on the latest exciting projects initiated by NHGD for all to participate and have fun.
Congratulations
A heartfelt
from the NHGD Family!
Aside from all the fun and laughter of that weekend, NHGDians also showed their charitable side. Generous donations were made by all to the Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) to help achieve its mission in eradicating breast cancer as a
All in all, Chronicles was a fun-filled and memorable experience for all to remember and we can’t wait for the next one to come!
Staff involved in interactive activities
Bringing the mammobus to the heartlands also has the advantage of reaching out to the elderly ladies who fear visiting healthcare
Mosque is the first to help raise breast cancer awareness among the Malay community by booking the mammobus. Says Chairman Hj Mohd Said B Hj Mahmood, “The Government encourages us to lead a healthier lifestyle and we are happy to pass on this message to guests at our mosque and those in our estate. Bringing the mammobus to the mosque also
Awarded Distinguished Achievement Award by NHG
Situated near the busiest malls and some of the fanciest hotels in Singapore, the Botanic Gardens provided the perfect venue for NHGDians to gather together and have some fun!
At the Chronicles, NHGD spread the good news to all that Thye Hua Kwan Moral Home for the Disabled has officially been adopted by NHGD in the coming year. This would be part of NHGD’s initiative in corporate social responsibility projects, to be involved in community work, providing an opportunity for NHGD to reach out to help the less fortunate ones.
Corporate Clients We have worked successfully with corporate clients who are committed to bringing the mammobus to their offices or factories for
Singapore Heartlands NHGD has not forgotten the ladies at home. We understand that it is even more difficult for this group of ladies to take time off for their mammogram screening, as they have very young children or elderly folks to care for.
Dr. Tyrone Goh, Head, Ops & Admin, NUH Executive Director, NHG Diagnostics/NHG International/ Energhy Pte Ltd
LX @Chronicles NHGD even collaborated with HPB this time around @ Chronicles to share more information about HIV/AIDS and create awareness about taking preventive measures to protect ourselves and prevent the spread of this deadly virus!
“Convenience at your doorstep” is the tagline of the NHGD Mammobus and for the past two years since its inception, the mammobus has achieved this and much more. We are glad to share with you highlights from our journey.
Best Smile Award: Jurong Polyclinic
life-threatening disease. In addition, NHGD also organised contests to create awareness on workplace environmental conservation for staff. The challenging part was to create beautiful and creative contest entries using only recycled materials.
Malay supporters
Mammobus – First Day @ Woodlands Zone 9 RC (21 May 2006)
yearly mammogram their employees.
Handover of mammobus
screening
of
A Human Resource Department acknowledges it as a benefit to staff and have realised that the mammobus’s availability onsite saves time for their employees, so that they need not take time off for yearly/bi-annual screening. More importantly, having the mammography screening onsite encourages employees to participate with the encouragement of fellow employees, even though they may have reservations. NHGD has upped the ante by working with Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) to provide awareness talks to the staff prior to the screening day(s). This is to give them a greater insight to breast cancer and the role of mammography in breast cancer screening, as well as what to expect during the screening. The nurse co-ordinator onboard the mammobus will also demonstrate and re-affirm the need and technique for proper regular breast self-examination. In mid-2007, the mammobus was retrofitted and digital mammography was introduced along with a generator. The introduction of the generator meant that the mammobus could operate without the need for an external power source in any environment.
After a tough round of debate and struggle, our judges, Executive Director Dr Tyrone Goh and GM Pamela Ding decided on the NHGD Birthday Card: Shobhana (AMKH)
One of the most interesting sites that the mammobus has visited is Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd in Pulau Bukom.
Minister Khaw Flag Off in BCAM 2007
institutions. Peer pressure from neighbours attending an onsite screening can serve as encouragement for these ladies. We have worked with many CCs (Community Centres) and RCs (Resident Committees) to bring the mammobus to residents. The residents appreciate the convenience of the mammobus, as it is merely footsteps away, and the mammogram can be completed within 30 minutes. Response from residents for these screenings has been overwhelming. During its onsite screenings, the mammobus has welcomed onboard many MPs and Ministers to view the facilities available. They include Ms Ellen Lee (MP for Sembawang GRC), Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Minister of State Ministry Of Community Development, Youth And Sports), Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (Minister of State for Ministry of National Development), Assoc Prof Ho Peng Kee (Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs). Religious organisations can play an active role in encouraging members to participate in health screenings. One of our most successful outreach programmes this year was to the Malay community. Testimonial Mammobus @Sallim Mattar Mosque One of the objectives of the Breast Screen Singapore Programme is to encourage more Malay and Indian women to go for regular breast screenings. The Sallim Mattar
Breast Health Talks at Masjid Sallim Mattar before mammography and screening onboard mammobus
makes it more convenient for them as it’s nearer to their homes.” Non-profit Organisations NHGD actively partners non-profit organisations such as the Breast Cancer Foundation and Singapore Cancer Society for mammogram screening onboard the mammobus. Some yearly events that we have partnered are: My Happy Healthy Family – Working with Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), we support them by bringing the mammobus onsite yearly, to serve the needy in the targeted neighbourhood. Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) – Working with Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF), we provide mammogram screening for the needy to increase breast cancer awareness through various media during the month. For BCAM 2008, NHGD staff participated by supporting the Pink Ribbon Walk and helping to raise funds through the sale of Pink Ribbon Pins. What’s next? Plans are underway to have full-fledged digital mammography, the latest development in breast imaging technology, installed in the mammobus.
Diagnostic Services
at your doorstep!
NHGD is a proud parent of two mobile X-ray containers. The first mobile X-ray container, fondly named MXI, was launched in November 2006, followed by the second mobile X-ray container, named MX II, launched the following year. Both mobile containers are fitted with state-of-the-art digital computer radiography systems, which enable X-ray services to be operated on a film-less platform. Each container is fully equipped with its own power generator, water supply and mini LAN point. Taking into consideration the ageing and disabled population of Singapore, the MXs are fitted with automatic lifting devices to facilitate X-rays to be done on wheelchairs and stretchers onboard. MXs are popular among organisations that encourage mass health screening for its employees. Several enrolment screenings for
students as well as pre-employment screenings for employees have been conducted. The convenience of having an onsite X-ray bus has proven to be a hit over the years for universities and organisations alike. One radiographer can screen close to 120 patients a day on a MX container. For bigger scale screenings, up to two radiographers can be mobilised. Much coordination and teamwork goes into conducting an onsite screening from proposal to client acceptance, logistics, completion of screenings and dispatching of reports. NHGD has partnered with sister institutions such as Health for Life, Alexandra Hospital and National University Hospital for some of the projects. The containers have proven to be useful onsite, at polyclinics and hospitals,
D’edge when their static centres are undergoing renovation. Currently, the MX II is being deployed at the National University Hospital A&E department as their X-ray centre undergoes renovation in the coming months. In the future, NHGD hopes to collaborate with more organisations and corporations to bring the MXs onsite to support the health screening projects.
D’edge Screening can help detect breast cancer early, providing women with a much better chance of survival through early treatment. Mammography is considered the gold standard in breast cancer screening and has proven to save lives. However, in Singapore many women remain untested. In addition to the eight static screening centres, our mammobus allows further accessibility and affordability for breast cancer screening by collaborating with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) under Breast Screen Singapore (BSS) programme. Those unable to take time off for screening can now step onboard the mammobus for a session with minimum disruption to work and family commitments. Bringing healthcare services a step closer to women, NHGD recently launched the first mobile clinic providing Pap smear screening, completing its mobile fleet of healthcare services.
Cervical cancer is the sixth most common cancer among Singaporean women, increasing in occurrence rapidly after the age of 30, reaching its peak between the ages of 50 and 60*.
“By going mobile, it allows us to reach out to a larger community. The buses are fully equipped, extremely accessible and serve the residents at an affordable rate” said Ms. Pamela Ding, GM, NHG Diagnostics.
A Pap smear helps to detect abnormal changes in the cervix early. Such abnormalities may develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. Cervical cancer can be prevented if abnormal cell changes are detected and treated early.
NHGD’s first mobile clinic project was successfully launched on 1st Nov 2008 at Woodlands and was well received both by the residents and residents’ committee. MP Ms Ellen Lee graced the occasion and was given a tour of the bus.The mobile clinic completes NHGD’s mobile fleet catering to womens’ wellness.
NHGD aims to share the benefits of undergoing early and regular Pap smear tests with the public. Working with the National Pap smear Programme - Cervical Screen Singapore (CSS), NHG Diagnostics targets its first CSS certified bus to provide Pap smear screenings at institutions, offices, and community centres onsite.
Moving forward, NHGD hopes to continue working with relevant organisations to increase the awareness of early breast and cervical cancer screening among women. * Information extracted from Health Promotion Board online - www.hpb.gov.sg; Oct 2008 & HPB M E740-03
Myth
Buster
A day in the diary of a Patient Service Associate (PSA)
It’s 6am. I lie in bed thinking and trying to plan for my day. After a while I get out of bed and go about my usual routine. I prepare breakfast and get the kids ready for school. They are off to catch their school bus. It’s 7am when I reach the train station. People huddle together like sardines but I manage to squeeze my way into the crowded train.
5 years, I have cultivated d the habit of listening to o patients and have come to o realise that it is a very y important skill to have when n you work as a PSA. As I make my way back from m the restrooms, I notice an n old woman looking very frail. . I approach her and am told d that she has been waiting g for the past 1 hour for her r turn to have the blood test. . She has been fasting and d is feeling dizzy. I bring g her into the lab and get t the medical technician to o help expedite her test. Upon n finishing I give her some biscuits. She is grateful and expresses her gratitude. These are the small things that make my day!
I alight and make my way to Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic, where I have been working as a Patient Service Associate for the past five years. As I approach the Polyclinic, I find myself greeted by a few familiar faces eagerly waiting for the registration “Missy I waiting very long… to open. why not my turn yet” a loud voice complains. My I greet my In-charges and colleagues hurry to find start up the different his form. We try to pacify computers at my desk, him, explaining that he is getting ready to serve the late for his appointment day’s first patient. As and needs to wait for his the shutters are lifted, turn. Our explanations the action begins. Anxious fall on deaf ears. We are faces begin surrounding the used to handling many such counter. My colleagues and patients. Sometimes we have I urge the patients to wait happy patients and somefor their turn. The crowds times not-so-happy ones. We are always overwhelming in do our best to keep everyone the mornings! Many of the happy. patients fast overnight and are eager for their blood The crowd thins out and tests to be done before there’s one more hour to go hunger sets in. before lunch! Finally there are fewer patients hogging I am soon in ‘Auto Mode’. My the counter. fingers key in orders as I repeat instructions to the Finally it is lunchtime! patients. Service should be The shutters come down from the heart; everyone with enthusiasm. Lunch is deserves to be treated with my favourite time of day. respect, regardless of age As I eat my lunch, my or ethnicity. In the last colleagues and I gossip,
“In the last 5 years, I have cultiv ated the habit of li stening to patients and have come to realise that it is a very important s kill to have when y ou work as a PSA.
“
The alarm goes off.
Radiographers’ Day
2008
Radiographers all around the world celebrated World Radiography Day on 8th November to commemorate the invention of the X-ray by W C Roentgen in 1895. This year, the Singapore Society of Radiographers (SSR) organised a picnic on a Saturday afternoon, 1st November, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The early celebration was much welcomed by members as they gathered at the Palm Valley, laid their groundsheets and started eating sandwiches and snacks. Besides a couple of members opting to play Frisbee, almost all of the attendees participated in a treasure hunt which covered a huge area, almost half of the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
laugh and chat about the day’s events. Before we notice, the shutters go up again. But the crowd in the afternoon is not as bad as in the morning. We even try chatting with our patients after lunch and spend more time with the older patients. Just half an hour before closing at 4.30pm, a sudden flood of people start streaming in, requesting for X-ray tests. I hurry to register the patients, as the radiographer prepares to do the X-ray screening for these patients. The shutter comes down at 4.30pm and I start with my accounts closure. This is the most crucial part for a PSA. The cash is counted and I report the day’s earnings to my superior. It is then placed in a secure bag and delivered to the safe. My day as a PSA has finally ended and I make my way home after a hard day at work.
1st prize and 2nd runner up awards for
NHGD at the SMRC Singapore-Malaysia Radiographers’ Conference (SMRC) is the biggest academic event of the radiography field in Singapore. The Singapore Society of Radiographers (SSR) was honoured to hold the 23rd SMRC in Singapore. The conference was held from 5th to 7th September 2008 in Orchard Hotel, Singapore. The President of the Republic of Singapore was the Guest-of-Honour at the 23rd SMRC Gala Dinner. The conference is for radiographers in the region to share research findings, get updated with the newest radiographic technology and meet fellow radiographers. The SMRC featured speeches from keynote speakers, Professor Mary Lovegrove (radiography) and Professor Jennifer Cox (radiation therapy). This was followed by presentations of theme papers, proffering of papers and the poster presentation.
Poster Presentation
NHGD topped the poster presentation winning 1st prize for “Can you see what I see?” by Peggy Tan, Emma Cuevas, Liza Bautista and Madonna Zantua. Bagging the 2nd runner up award was the poster titled “Musculoskeletal pain in workplace: How does it affect the Radiographers in NHGD?”
by Xenia Adversalo, Catherine Locsin, Gloria Tabifranca and Isabel Laraya.
Congratulations!