NKF's past scandals were 'personal' issues; standard of care has not slipped: CEO Tim Oei
TODAY file photo of National Kidney Foundation's Chief Executive Officer Tim Oei.
SINGAPORE — Past scandals at the National Kidney Foundation were "personal" issues and the standard of care for patients has not been affected, said the charity's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tim Oei.
Speaking to reporters at a volunteer appreciation ceremony on Sunday (Dec 3), Mr Oei said: "What I am very glad is, despite all the issues, care for (NKF's) 4,500 patients has never slipped."
"I am very proud of the staff, they have not let their eyes off the ball at any time."
The 58-year-old took over this position in September, ten months after NKF sacked former CEO Edmund Kwok over a "personal indiscretion" involving a male staff member. A police report was lodged following Mr Kwok's case.
It was the second time in 10 years that NKF's top leadership had run into trouble, after former CEO T T Durai was convicted for corruption and jailed three months.
Mr Oei was picked by a five-member committee, led by Human Capital Leadership Institute chief executive Wong Su-Yen, in a selection process involving more than 50 candidates.
"(What happened to Mr Kwok) was a personal issue. That is outside the NKF's hands. I would encourage us to look at how we can support the patients and their families," he said.
Moving forward, the NKF hopes to raise awareness of kidney disease and how to prevent it, especially among working professionals who lead sedentary lifestyles, said Mr Oei.
"We all have limited knowledge, and we still keep a very arms-length approach to kidney failure... A lot of people think, 'I know people who have diabetes, but they are okay, they get on with life'," he observed.
"But if you are not compliant (with the treatment and) don't look out for yourself, you are on a slippery slope."
