from
cyberpioneer
Report by Malcolm Tay
Photos by Roy Lim
Brigadier-General (BG) (Dr) Wong Yue Sie had seen some tough times
during his tenure as Chief of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
Medical Corps.
BG (Dr) Wong (left) hands over the command
symbol to COL (Dr) John Wong, the next Chief of SAF Medical
Corps.
Singapore's brush with the SARS virus prompted him to lead a review
of health and operational policies in the Ministry of Defence and
the SAF.
One year later, he directed the largest overseas deployment of SAF
medical teams for the Asian tsunami relief efforts.
On 29 Sep, BG (Dr) Wong passed the mantle to Colonel (COL) (Dr)
John Wong in a parade at the SAF Medical Corps' headquarters in Nee
Soon Camp.
The New Chief of Medical Corps is also the Chief Naval Medical
Officer - he will hold both posts concurrently.
"The years have gone by quickly and now, 21 years later, I'm
preparing for the next stage of my life as I retire from the SAF,"
said BG (Dr) Wong in his farewell speech.
BG (Dr) Wong inspecting the parade for the last
time as Chief of Medical Corps.
"I think the last five and a quarter years as Chief of the SAF
Medical Corps have been the most challenging and eventful years of
my career."
The disaster relief missions involving the SAF's medical staff, he
said, "reminded us of our need to be operationally-ready at all
times".
"This readiness is reflected not just in terms of having equipment,
supplies and people available."
"It also means that we must have a system for building a response
and ensuring that all of us in the Medical Corps are adequately
prepared and skilled to do our jobs safely and effectively."
BG (Dr) Wong, who will be joining a public hospital, 'appealed' to
his audience "to be kind to me" in this next phase of his
career.
"If you are unhappy about the care you are receiving in the
hospital, please write to me personally, rather than to the Forum
page," he quipped. "I will certainly help to do what I can to sort
things out."
COl (Dr) Wong taking the oath, witnessed by
Chief of Defence Force LG Ng Yat Chung (right).
More than 300 guests witnessed the change of command parade, which
was officiated by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng
Yat Chung.
Also present were Members of Parliament Dr Lam Pin Min and Dr Lim
Wee Kiak, who were once medical officers with the Air Force and
Navy respectively.
