Doctor wants to integrate medical care into community
Tan Wu Meng
SINGAPORE — Drawing parallels to the old days when doctors also served as caretakers of a village, People’s Action Party (PAP) new face Tan Wu Meng, an oncologist, said he believes that he can do more to integrate medical care into the community, as well as provide holistic support to residents, if he is elected in the upcoming polls as part of the Jurong GRC team.
Dr Tan said his career as a doctor has shown him that most patients not only have to struggle with their medical conditions, but are also usually in vulnerable positions, dealing with various issues such as family and financial problems.
“Sometimes, the issues that determine a patient’s health aren’t just about numbers, aren’t just about drugs, medication. It’s also about what’s happening at home, whether the family is together, whether there is someone at home to look after an elderly person’s health or whether there is a child starting with less and thereby having a family not as able to access care as they might otherwise,” Dr Tan, 40, said at a PAP press conference yesterday, where he was formally introduced as one of its candidates for Jurong GRC.
As a doctor, Dr Tan said he has tried to take on a role beyond his duties at the clinic, sometimes even going as far as helping patients or their caregivers who are having problems with their jobs.
Joining politics thus becomes a natural extension of what he has been doing over the years, he added.
No stranger to speaking on issues close to his heart, Dr Tan has also contributed articles, on current affairs or issues raised by patients and residents, to newspapers and online platforms.
On issues he would like to champion in Parliament if elected, Dr Tan said he would like to integrate hospital care with medical care in the community, where patients have access to healthcare nearer to their homes, as well as bring polyclinics and general practitioners closer to the community.
“What I hope to bring in serving the residents of Clementi and Jurong GRC is the perspective of a doctor who has a heart to serve, who is very concerned about helping make people’s lives better ... and ... who also wants to help people who start with less,” he added. LAURA PHILOMIN
FACT FILE: Tan Wu Meng, 40, Oncologist and consultant at Parkway Cancer Centre
• Has worked to improve patient care, holding multiple clinical and administrative appointments
• Passion for patient care recognised with the SingHealth Quality Service Award and the National Cancer Centre Singapore’s Cares Special Mention Award
• Member of the Senja-Cashew Youth Executive Committee from 2007 to 2011, and sat on the Senja-Cashew Citizens’ Consultative Committee from 2010 to 2013
• Married with one daughter
HE SAID: “As a doctor, you get to touch one life at a time ... but sometimes, there are things that as a doctor you might not be able to shape so easily. And I think in politics, there is a chance to be an additional voice, bringing some additional ideas and hopefully helping to shape the discourse.”
WARD: Jurong GRC
