Dear distinguished guests, TCM organization representatives, TCM colleagues, a very good evening!

Tonight is the 42^nd Inauguration Ceremony of the SCPA, and we are very honoured to have the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, presiding over the ceremony, as well as the attendance of so many distinguished guests at this inaugural dinner. On behalf of the Association, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of you.

In the past 64 years, the SCPA has entered into a new era today, after going through a number of passages and inheriting the foundation laid by our predecessors, as well as the hard work of the previous members. The SCPA has kept on growing and expanding, even though no specific achievement shall be mentioned here. However, the SCPA has taken up the responsibility of uniting fellow TCM colleagues, rallying the TCM community and taking up the TCM cause, in order to contribute to society and nation. In the recent years of the development of the SCPA, it has been receiving the support and praise of Singapore’s leaders and members of the public. This achievement and the efforts of the SCPA are inseparable.

As times continue to change, and people and organizations evolve, nothing remains the same. Many of the SCPA leaders and members have retired or passed away, hence it is necessary to attract young members into the TCM profession and the SCPA activities. Hence I would like to take this opportunity to strengthen and improve the impression that young people have of TCM practitioners and raise awareness of the Chinese culture, bringing a new breath of fresh air to TCM.

I am deeply grateful and honoured to be re-elected as the preseident. I will hold deep respect and gratitude towards our forebears and my peers, and as Ireflect onthe deficiencies of the past two years, I will exercise caution as I work together with the Board to plan and execute its future direction. We will need the support of fellow organisations and drug suppliers and manufacturers, and with our concerted efforts, we will be able to take TCM in Singapore to the next level!

It is common knowledge that with the exception of China, Singapore is the only other ASEAN country that TCM is legislated by the government. Since 2004, all TCM practitioners who are not registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) are not allowed to practice TCM legally in Singapore.

In the 2008 annual report published by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board, Singapore has 2167 registered TCM practitioners and 206 registered acupuncturists. Singaporeans are not unfamiliar with TCM and a lot of them visit TCM physicians and take TCM medicines. The Singapore Ministry of Health’s 2004 Nationwide survey showed that more than 53% of Singaporeans have gone to a TCM physician for treatment.

This study has shown that Singaporeans are increasingly receptive to TCM, and with increased scientific research and improved treatment efficacies; TCM will be able to contribute even more to Singapore. To be honest, the TCM community has already expanded and has moved from the confines of charitable clinics and private clinics to the government and private hospitals in Singapore, an encouraging development.

The enrollment numbers of the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (a subsidiary of the SCPA), have been: 77new studentsin 2007, 118 new studentsin 2008, 207 new studentsinin 2009and most recentlyin 2010,244new studentsattendingcourses in Traditional Chinese medicine. Thedatahas shown thatmore and more peopletoattaching greater importance to theimprovementthe quality ofpublic health, and shown greater interest in the study of the people-oriented TCM and carrying out TCM healthcare work. The patient numbers of the Chung Hwa Medical Institution (also a subsidiary of the SCPA) was 312,445 in 2006, 330,420 in 2007, 326,181 in 2008, and 329,555 in 2009, with a yearly increase.

At present, the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chung Hwa Medical Institution need to take another step forward, as it is evident that they are running out of space to expand. We hope to be able to buy a plot of land to rebuild and expand the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chung Hwa Medical Institution, and if the situation permits, the SCPA also hopes to develop the College into a TCM University, and develop the Medical Institution into a fully equipped TCM hospital, bringing TCM to its fullest potential. This way, an integrated TCM treatment centre, edcuation centre and research centre can be created, expanding TCM in Singapore, as well as uniting the TCM community to a common and mutually beneficial cause.

Tonight, I would once again like to express my gratitude to the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, fortaking the time out of his busy schedule to be the presiding officer of the 42^nd inauguration ceremony, making this event a success and adding to the honour of the event.

Finally, I would like to thank Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong and every single guest tonight. Thank you everyone!

Dear distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

A good evening to everyone! Tonight, I am very honoured to be presiding officer of the the 42nd Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association Inauguration Ceremony. First  of all, allow me to congratulate all the elected members.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dates back to ancient times. The Chinese claim to be the descendants of Huang Di and Yan Di, and consider Yan Di  and Huang Di as the ancestors of all Chinese people. But some people  may not be aware of this, the Yellow Emperor and the Yan Emperor Shen Nong  are also considered the ancestors of TCM. Two classic texts of TCM, the “Yellow Emperor Internal Analects” and “Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic”,  not only serve as textbooks of TCM, but are also essential reference tools for every TCM practitioner. After  generations of Chinese  heritage and accumulation of thousands of years of ancient Chinese  wisdom and practical experience, a systematic theory has been established, and gradually developed into a unique medical system.

Wherever there are Chinese people, there will be Chinese culture. TCM is part of the Chinese culture,  and TCM naturally followed the Chinese migrants who came to Singapore from South China. Since the founding of Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association in 1946, it has had 64 years of history.  In all these years, you  have spared no effort to promote Traditional Chinese medicine, and have fully committed to improving the standards of TCM and training outstanding TCM physicians.

In recent years, there have been increasingly frequent exchanges between Singapore and China exchanges in the field of Traditional Chinese medicine.  With the support and co-operation between the SIngapore and Chinese government, Beijing Tong Ren Tang was established in Alexandra Hospital, becoming the first mainstream hospital in Singapore to set up a TCM health clinic within it, providing a new treatment option for patients with chronic diseases. Singapore Health Services Group  and the Shanghai Shen-Kang Hospital also set up a Bao Zhong Medical Hall within the  Singapore General Hospital. In addition to providing Traditional Chinese medicine outpatient services, will also join the Singapore General Hospital in the treatment of chronic diseases and carry out joint clinical research to study treatment methods for several chronic diseases using a combination of TCM and Western medicine.

TCM and conventional Western medicine can complement each other well and it is believed that a combination of TCM and Western medicine treatment solves both symptoms and root of the problem because  it has the best of both worlds. With the increasing standards of living and quality of life, work and life stresses are also increasing. Singaporeans are paying more attention to good health, and becoming more receptive to TCM.

Finally, I hope that the Singapore Chinese Physician’s Association can continue collaborating with Western medicine in the fields of exploration and research, so that TCM can flourish in Singapore, and become even more well accepted. I believe that under the leadership of Singapore  Chinese Physicians’ Association President  Dr. Wong Chin Nai, and with the joint efforts of the new committee members, the Association will work even harder and rise to greater heights.

Thank you everyone!