Staff from across SingHealth institutions are providing more than clinical support for their patients. Two pharmacy technicians share why they decided to take part in monthly giving. 

Ms Jacqueline Mendoza planned to celebrate her birthday by helping at an orphanage. When the Sengkang General Hospital’s (SKH) pharmacy technician was unable to take the day off work, she began thinking of other ways to give back to the community. Jacqueline heard about the SKH Needy Patient Fund and it struck a chord with her, having previously worked in the Philippines and seen the impact poverty can have on people’s health.

“I'm happy to make a contribution as every little gesture helps to improve patient care,” says Jacqueline. “With the financial assistance they receive, patients can focus on what matters most - their health. I am pleased to know that someone's burden is alleviated with the little I can give”.

Jacqueline told her colleague, Ms Rafancel Bolambao, also a pharmacy technician, about her plans to sign up for monthly giving to the fund and Rafancel decided to support the fund as well.

“By making small donations that add up over time, we can make a difference with our combined efforts,” says Rafancel. “It is not always about the gift that we give or the amount we donate, it is the joy we bring to those in need, and that to me, is priceless.”

Last year, thanks to donor support, the fund helped over 300 patients who had no other sources of assistance to turn to. The fund supported areas such as dietary supplements for cancer patients, medical devices such blood pressure monitors for patients with heart disease and financial assistance for transport to hospital appointments.   

SKH Needy Patient Fund is part of the SKH Better Health Fund which supports medical research, education and patient care initiatives. If you would like to help SKH’s patients and impact their lives, kindly contact SKH’s Development Office at [email protected] to make a donation!

This story was first published in Inspire.