Skills-based volunteerism to grow through partnerships in the medical sector with Singapore Medical Association

1. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)'s Singapore Cares Office (SG Cares Office) will further grow skills-based volunteerism, through a new partnership with the Singapore Medical Association (SMA). Skills-based volunteerism refers to utilising one's profession skills and expertise to serving the community.

2. To achieve a greater reach, the SG Cares Office has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SMA.

3. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, Mr Edwin Tong, witnessed the signing of the MOU today between Dr Ang Hak Seng, Deputy Secretary of MCCY and Dr Tan Yia Swam, President of SMA.

4. With the signing of the MOU, the organisation will serve as SG Cares' national-level intermediary to grow skills-based volunteerism within the medical sector. This inculcate the values of care, consideration and contribution in medical doctors and medical students by encouraging them to serve the community with their expertise.

5. With support from SG Cares Office, SMA will grow regular and sustained skills-based volunteers and forge stakeholders' partnerships. Through the network of SG Cares Volunteer Centres, the SG Cares Office will also work closely with SMA to curate sustainable volunteer opportunities and increase the awareness and diversity of volunteer opportunities for skills-based volunteers to better meet the needs on the ground.

6. Minister Edwin Tong said, “SG Cares' partnership with SMA acknowledges the service of our healthcare professionals in living out their vocation. Their expertise is crucial in our fight against COVID-19 and their skills will give a significant boost to our volunteering community. With this new partnership, SG Cares will work closely with SMA to equip our healthcare professionals with the volunteering skills and opportunities to better support community needs in the face of uncertainty."

7. Dr Tan Yia Swam, President of SMA said, “SMA and its members have a long history of volunteerism and giving back to the community. Many of our doctors offer their pro-bono services to various organisations and relief missions here and also overseas. The spirit of volunteerism is deep-rooted in our profession and this commitment is also embraced by our medical students who have always been involved in caring for the community by volunteering their time at annual public health screenings, supported by the SMA. We are happy to be part of this national movement to encourage and grow a more compassionate society, and look forward to our collaboration with MCCY.”

8. Dr Ang Hak Seng said, “The SG Cares movement is dedicated to supporting efforts in building a more caring and inclusive home for all. With needs becoming more complex, we need more healthcare professionals to serve the community through skills-based volunteerism. In doing so, not only will needs be met, healthcare professionals will also be able to sharpen crucial skills such as listening deeply and communicating effectively.

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Calida Soh
Corporate Communications Division 
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
Email: calida_soh@mccy.gov.sg

Ms Nalini Naidu
Singapore Medical Association
Email: nalini.naidu@imsg.sg

About Singapore Medical Association

Formed in 1959, the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) is the national medical organisation representing the majority of medical practitioners in both the public and private sectors. SMA's slogan, 'For Doctors, For Patients', reflects our recognition that the doctor-patient relationship lies at the heart of any scientific revelation, technological innovation, policy decision and business practice that affects healthcare, as well as our commitment to protect this relationship.

Find out more: www.sma.org.sg

About SG Cares

SG Cares is a national movement dedicated to building a more caring and inclusive home for all. The movement invites all who live in Singapore to put values into action through active volunteerism, ground-up efforts and everyday acts of care. It also aims to build capability across various sectors and organisations to grow opportunities for volunteering. By inspiring and supporting one another, we can show the world that we are a nation with a big heart.

Find out more: www.sgcares.sg