As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen locally, surgical masks are precious and in short supply. The Institute has therefore donated 25,000 medical masks to the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association (SCPA). These masks will be distributed to various TCM clinics as protection against COVID-19.
The Singapore Chinese Physician’s Association was established in 1946 and is Singapore’s biggest TCM organization.
President of APEC Institute of Business Ms. Joanna Jiao (right) donating 25,000 surgical masks to SCPA. Mr. Liu Shao Fu (left), Acting Chairman of SCPA and Director of Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution, expressed his gratitude to the institute for its kind donation.
President of the SCPA Mr. Teo Eng Kiat expressed his sincere gratitude to APEC Institute of Business for its kind donation during this special period, and wrote a letter of appreciation to the institute, "APEC Institute of Business promptly and generously donated valuable supplies to relieve the urgent needs of doctors, and we are deeply moved and encouraged. The institute delivered help during the times we need it most, and it is an act of merit indeed." It is reported that these supplies will help more than 1600 members, so that most of the physicians can safely serve patients on the front line.
Letter of appreciation to APEC Institute of Business from SCPA President Mr. Teo Eng Kiat.
APEC Institute of Business is based in Singapore and oriented towards the Asia Pacific region and committed towards cultivating business and societal leaders. The Institute emphasises on the development of a global vision in our programmes, as well as a pioneering and innovative spirit, while respecting the diversity of cultures. During the interview, President Ms. Joanna Jiao stated, “The sudden global pandemic has brought about great challenges to every country, and the Institute has been following closely with its development locally. Singapore has implemented various preventive measures from the early stages, and the government dedicated large efforts towards fighting against the epidemic. Medical professionals are fighting on the front line, and masks are the first and foremost form of protection for healthcare workers, therefore the institute started to acquire supplies from mid-to-late March onwards, purchasing 25,000 surgical masks from Shanghai, which was then delivered to Guangzhou and finally shipped to Singapore. We hope that in these critical times, these masks can be useful on the front line and effectively aid the healthcare community.”
Donation boxes have been labelled with “杏林春暖至，共守家国安” which signifies that spring has arrived upon the apricot forest (the apricot forest embodies the essentials of Chinese medicine) and it will help in keeping our country and home safe.
It was noticed on the donation boxes that had the tagline – ”Spring has come forth onto the apricot forest, protecting our homeland safe.” President Jiao explained that the Apricot Forest came from a legend during Three Kingdoms period, and it is used to praise a doctor’s noble ethics and medical skills. Therefore, she hopes that through the combination of both Chinese and western medicine it will motivate the healthcare workers on the front line and keep our country safe and united.
Food recipes for strengthening of the lungs formulated by SCPA, which is recommended for health care and prevention.
President Jiao also penned a poem using the theme of the apricot forest in praise of the spirit of healthcare workers and Singaporeans working together to fight the pandemic. Federation of Art Societies Singapore President Mr. Liang Zhenkang learned of the Institute’s kind deed, and was inspired to preserve the poem in calligraphy form, which he generously gifted to SCPA, in hopes that Singaporeans will be as strong and resilient as our national flower Vanda Miss Joaquim, and conquer the pandemic together with confidence and faith.
Federation of Art Societies Singapore President Mr. Liang Zhenkang preserved President Jiao’s poem in calligraphy form, and generously gifted his work to SCPA.
杏林春暖
神农子孙齐抗疫，
杏林春暖多济世。
万家灯火掌声起，
新心相连明月智。
千里迢迢护儿归，
华发染霜不眠致。
卓锦万代含芳立，
坚韧团结家国志。
This article was published in Lianhe Zaobao on 23 April 2020.