Originally posted by Glen999:
Dec 29, 2005 (ST)
[b]Durai has done far more good than bad for NKF
ALMOST 20 years ago, I was a project manager with the National
Kidney Foundation (NKF). At that time, it was a small outfit, with
few staff. We squeezed into a modest house on the grounds of Kwong
Wai Shiu Hospital in Balestier Road, which we shared with the NKF's
sole dialysis centre.
Some administrative staff were fortunate to have desks. Project
managers camped out in the sole meeting room in the building,
sitting wherever we could. Mr T.T. Durai's office was a tiny space
under the stairs. He held the position of honorary secretary.
The dialysis centre was a depressing place, with its cold,
functional appearance. If I remember correctly, it could serve only
about 30 patients then. Funds were extremely limited, so we could
not help everyone who applied for help.
The first time we met to select new beneficiaries was
heartbreaking. We hated to turn people away just because we did not
have enough money, but we had no choice. Feeling helpless, we
cried.
We worked long hours but we did not mind, even though we were not
compensated and had very modest salaries. Mr Durai was an important
motivating force. He had big dreams of a network of dialysis
centres, with a bright and cheerful environment to help keep
patients' spirits up.
He talked often about improving the lot of patients and their
families, and developing programmes to encourage them to lead
normal, productive lives. His face would light up with enthusiasm
every time he talked about his dreams for the NKF, and he would
beam with joy whenever we scored a win.
He worked tirelessly to make the NKF a better organisation, and
even played a significant role in pushing through the opt-out
scheme, which made more donor organs available for
transplant.
Almost three years ago, I met Mr Durai again when I visited the new
NKF premises. I was floored by how far it had come. How civilised
and stylish! The NKF was truly a pacesetter and I was filled with
pride at its accomplishments.
There is no doubt Mr Durai has made mistakes. He is human, after
all, and which human being is perfect? He has passion, which can
produce spectacular results but can also get him into
trouble.
In Singapore, we have been encouraged for years to think out of the
box. If not for Mr Durai thinking out of the box when we were all
huddled together in the old office at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, the
NKF could well be still an ineffectual beggar charity, like so many
others out there. He has done far more good than bad for the
NKF.
The man is a visionary, and every country needs visionaries. Had
better checks and balances been in place at the NKF, this sorry
state of affairs could have been avoided.
People make mistakes, or sometimes they just dare to take a
different road, which may rankle with the masses. What is the use
of baying for blood? Can we please try to forgive?
Carol Chua Siew Gek (Ms)[/b]
ms Carol Chua, 
u are
real cute in yr "advise" at the end of 2005!!!
