Dr. Edwin Lim (3rd from the right) posed with the CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (Singapore), Mr. Low Swee Seh (middle), and TIMA healthcare professionals for a group photo at the HHA 2018 ceremony.
“TIMA (Tzu Chi International Medical Association’s doctors) does not only treat the illnesses of the patients. We must also find a way to heal the whole patient. Having served in Tzu Chi for so long, I’ve noticed that the most significant change in me is that I’ve learned to understand patients’ illnesses from their perspective and the right way to treat them,” said Dr. Edwin Lim.
Dr. Edwin Lim, who has dedicated 15 years of his life to Tzu Chi’s Mission of Medicine, received the Healthcare Humanity Award (“HHA”) as a recognition of his continued, selfless contribution and dedication to the medical field.
A veteran TIMA member, he shared that he is deeply moved by the passion and unstinting efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers towards charity, and this has inspired him to create more opportunities for them to serve patients in need.
The HHA is in its 15th year this year, and the organiser has specially invited former recipients of the awards to attend the ceremony. TIMA nurses Lisa Chong, Chew Lai Hoe, Ong Qiu Feng and Lim Kim Yan, were among the former awardees invited to witness the event.
A new record of 11 healthcare professionals were presented with the highest accolade “Honorable Mention”, by Guest-of-Honour President Halimah Yacob. Snippets of their dedication towards patients had been recorded on video clips, which were shown to the audience during the event. The contents of the videos touched the hearts of many of the healthcare professionals, as they were able to relate themselves with the selfless characters.
TIMA nurse, Ong Qiu Feng said, “The story that impressed me the most was the caretaker who selflessly looked after an AIDS patient without discrimination. The caretaker is a role model whom medical personnel like us should learn from.”
Ong opined that medical personnel would be able to realise that medical care is more than just a job when they are able to empathise with patients’ suffering and treat them like their own family. They will find meaning in their work if they are there to care for and comfort the patients when the latter are tormented by their illness.
Following the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”), the Courage Fund was set up, and it started sponsoring the HHA annually since 2004, to honour dedicated medical professionals who have displayed altruism above and beyond their call of duty.
The HHA 2018 was organised by SingHealth, with 73 healthcare professionals lauded for their selfless service to the sick. President Halimah Yacob, Health Minister Mr. Gan Kim Yong, and Senior Minister of State for the Environment and Water Resources Dr. Amy Khor were invited to the ceremony to present the awards to deserving recipients.
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The 15th HHA ceremony was held at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. A doctor with a group of cancer survivors presented two heartwarming songs on stage at the end of the ceremony.
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