Healthcare Humanity Awards for 61 professionals

By Vimita Mohandas/Sanjay Devaraja, Channel NewsAsia, 15 May 2012

A total of 61 healthcare professionals from the public and private sectors have been recognised for their exemplary service to patients and selfless contributions outside of work that include volunteering for the underprivileged and helping out in relief missions to disaster areas.

They received the Healthcare Humanity Awards from President Tony Tan Keng Yam on Tuesday.

The winners were handpicked from 115 nominations from 18 hospitals and institutions.

Ms N. Nirmala has been in the profession for 32 years - with her younger days spent as a psychiatric nurse in the old Woodbridge Hospital.

And it was there that she understood the importance of upholding a patient's dignity.

Ms Nirmala, Senior Nurse Manager at NHG Polyclinics and Recipient of Healthcare Humanity Award, said: "We often think that patients that come by are just patients. It gave me a lot of insight into the difference I can make to other people by using myself. There's no equipment, it is not technical, it is just yourself as a person, using yourself as a tool. It goes a long way."

But the job had its challenges too, as healthcare workers run the risk of being stigmatised.

And it was for this reason the award was launched in 2004, to continue the legacy of the Courage Awards given out in 2003 to recognise those who fought the deadly SARS virus.

Ms Nirmala said: "The most depressing moment for me at that time was when we, as healthcare nurses, healthcare workers, were actually ostracised. Nobody wanted to come near us, we had to stay away from people, it was very tough. However, we overcame that big obstacle.

"And today we see even worse diseases coming up, and every disease is going to be a challenge to fight. I'm very glad to be upfront fighting it because it's not only for me, it's for my family, my friends and for the world. And I'm very proud to do that."

Also honoured was Dr Rufus Daniel, Senior Family Doctors at NHG Polyclinic and Recipient of Healthcare Humanity Award, who helped to streamline workflow processes at Woodlands Polyclinic.

Dr Daniel said: "We have a large number of people who walk in everyday with simple cough and cold, and runny nose and they get lost in the crowd. And we thought that if we could separate them at the point they walked in, we might be able to get them to be seen faster.

"We asked them questions right up front as they come in, and we take them to a separate place to get registered, and a separate room to be seen. So there's about 300 patients a day who get streamlined into a separate flow and leave faster than the rest."

The Healthcare Humanity Award recognises and honours healthcare workers who are inspirational role models displaying values such as courage, determination and dedication.

And it's hoped that through this award, the profile of healthcare workers and the respect for their profession will be raised.

As in previous years, nurses dominate the line-up of winners. This year 44 nurses join other professionals working in geriatric medicine, nursing homes, hospice and palliative care.

At 64, Senior Nurse Manager Chuah Swee Kiang from St Luke's Hospital is the most senior winner.

The youngest is 23-year-old Staff Nurse Koo Sie Liu from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

All 61 winners will take home a silver medallion and S$1,500 cash each.