Motivated to benefit about the 600 residents in the community, Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee had chosen 20th August 2006 to organize a large-scale influenza vaccination program. Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) was also cordially invited to participate in this meaningful event and comprising the team were 14 medical professionals (including doctors and nurses) and 4 medical volunteers.

Motivated to benefit about the 600 residents in the community, Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee had chosen 20th August 2006 to organize a large-scale influenza vaccination program.

Dr. Lily Neo (in pink), MP for Jalan Besar GRC, performing vaccination for the elderly.

The entire event was coordinated by TIMA, with 6 stations offering influenza vaccination to the residents.

Doctors spent time chit chatting with the elderly during the vaccination.

There were also exhibition boards displaying information on the importance of fire hazard prevention. This exhibition was set up by the Singapore Civil Defence Forces with the aim to educate the elderly on fire prevention.

The TIMA volunteers, doctors and nurses greeted each and every elderly folks with cheerful smiles and served each of them personally with care and concern.

It was a refreshing Sunday morning on 20th August 2006 when the senior citizens residing in the Kim Seng Community in Chinatown gathered eagerly at the lobby of the Chinatown Community Club. Motivated to benefit about the 600 residents in the community, Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee had chosen this day to organize a large-scale influenza vaccination program. That was the reason why despite the inconvenience of travelling around in wheelchair and walking sticks, many elderly residents from the community still came down to take part in the event.

Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) was cordially invited to participate in this meaningful event and comprising the team were 14 medical professionals (including doctors and nurses) and 4 medical volunteers.

Towards the end of the year signalled the coming of the monsoon season when the frequent occurrence of rains and cold weather could make many people exceptionally susceptible to flu infection, hence the so-called flu season. Among all people, elderly people were among the most vulnerable to flu infection. This high-risk group could contribute to a substantial increase in the mortality rate if hit. Therefore, it was important for elderly people to be vaccinated against flu at this period of the year. Furthermore, vaccination could not be delayed as it could take some time for the immunity to response. Thus, to protect the elderly against flu infection in the coming monsoon season was the main motivation behind the whole vaccination program

The event was launched by the Guest-of-honour, Dr. Lily Neo, Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC, who presented tokens of appreciation to TIMA and the sponsors.

The entire event was coordinated by TIMA, with 6 stations offering influenza vaccination to the residents. At the other corner, there were also exhibition boards displaying information on the importance of fire hazard prevention. This exhibition was set up by the Singapore Civil Defence Forces with the aim to educate the public on the issue of fire prevention.

“Good morning!”
“Hi grandma, have you got any fever recently?”
“Have you received any vaccination within the past one year?”
“Are you on any medication?”

The TIMA volunteers, doctors and nurses greeted each and every elderly people with cheerful smiles and served each of them personally with care and concern. During the short vaccination duration, doctors spent time chit chatting with the elderly, showering them with the warm of love. These simple actions made the elderly delighted and gave full cooperation during the vaccination. 

Dr. Fong, who was the TIMA person-in-charge, was involved in the event. He had brought his wife and daughter-in-law who were also doctors to join the event. To him, Dr. Fong felt that participating in this type of activity was indeed an excellent way of building family bonds compared to any other conventional family gathering which involved only fun and play. He was glad that there was such an opportunity to help others and at the same time build up the bond between family members. Thus, being able to volunteer in such a meaningful event, Dr. Fong took every opportunity to interact with the elderly, talking to them, explaining the purpose of vaccination and understanding their lives. He felt it was very important to show these elderly a great sense of respect and love which they deserved.

The entire event went on smoothly with both the elderly and the TIMA volunteers building up good rapport. The Tzu Chi Free Clinic in Chinatown had been providing excellent services to many of the elderly and many of the elderly had already known the TIMA volunteers for quite some time. And it was this excellence service and good rapport that made Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee commended the efforts contributed by Tzu Chi.

Therefore, although Tzu Chi main office had moved to Pasir Ris, the Committee still wished to continue its collaboration with Tzu Chi Free Clinic for future community projects to assist more people via combined efforts. And it was also the motivation of Tzu Chi volunteers to contribute to the community by walking into the lives of the residents, a goal that would persist.