Thomson Medical Centre partnered CHCSA in giving free Influenza AH1N1 vaccinations to COPE beneficiaries.
Contributed By Joyce Tan Wen Hui
Since its birth in 1979, Thomson Medical Centre has been dedicated to its focus of “being a leading healthcare provider for women and children,” being the first medical group to introduce personalized healthcare services and the first to deliver one of Asia’s first surviving triplets.
This project began with an idea to extend TMC’s corporate portfolio by providing the underprivileged with free AH1N1 vaccination. Mega Shuen, TMC’s chief operating officer, sought help from her colleagues to source for potential beneficiaries who would benefit most from this charity drive.
Her colleague Richard Kwok, a volunteer at City Harvest Community Services Association’s community outreach for the elderly, or COPE, linked the two parties.
Held at the Tung Ling COPE Community Center on the ground floor of Block 10, Dakota Crescent on March 20, the TMC team saw its first 10 beneficiaries already waiting patiently when they arrived, in spite of a heavy downpour.
This was followed by a steady stream of beneficiaries who made their way down to the center between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. COPE volunteers were on hand to usher the elderly in for registration and screening before they were prepped for the jabs.
Said Old Airport Road resident, Heng Wen Chang, 80, “This charity drive is excellent as it helps us stay protected from the AH1N1 virus.”
Tan Toh Lin, who readily signed up for the free jab, concurred. “It is good that we’re able to receive this vaccination.” Tan, who suffers from high blood pressure and kidney failure, was strongly advised by her friends to get the vaccine when it was first introduced.
However, due to financial constraints, Tan procrastinated, until she was told by a neighbor, of this initiative by TMC and CHCSA.
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Guest-of-Honor, Ministry of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Lim Biao Chuan, showed his support for this initiative, mingling and shaking hands with the elderly and taking group pictures.
This vaccination initiative proved to be an eye-opener for first time volunteers of COPE. Said Erni, 28, “The whole event was conducted in an efficient manner. The staff of TMC and COPE workers were very professional in handling the crowd.”
Shuen concluded: “We’re all impressed and happy with the turnout and the proceedings of the day.”
Another group to benefit from TMC’s corporate social responsibility project were 100 children from CHCSA’s Public Assistance Scheme.
