Covid-19 outbreak: Government to put up fund, online site for public to support healthcare workers, the vulnerable

SINGAPORE — As the escalating novel coronavirus situation takes a toll on healthcare workers in Singapore, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong urged Singaporeans to rally behind the people who are in the frontline of this public health crisis, not just those in hospitals but doctors who have first contact with suspected cases at clinics.

They may also support those who are vulnerable by donating to The Courage Fund — which already has an initial S$550,000 in contributions from two organisations — or make use and join a centralised online channel that pulls together various ground-up efforts to help frontline workers and those affected by the disease outbreak.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (Feb 12) at a media briefing by the multi-ministry task force convened to manage the coronavirus outbreak, Mr Gan said that while Singaporeans are concerned and anxious, they should not shun the healthcare professionals.

Anecdotal accounts of people behaving badly towards medical workers have been making the rounds on social media and a few nurses have told TODAY about their experiences of being ostracised. 

Mr Gan said: “Sometimes a kind word or warm greeting will go a long way to make them feel appreciated and give them a morale boost to continue their efforts. I want to take this opportunity to thank all healthcare our workers who are at the frontline caring for our patients and our loved ones.” 

In a special shout-out to general practitioners (GPs), he also thanked them and called them the Government’s “frontline partners”, saying they play a critical role in detecting and managing patients. “They are important partners in the frontline as well.” 

He also said that one million masks will be distributed to these GPs and specialists in private practice, because the authorities have heard that these doctors are concerned about whether there are enough masks. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to assure them that they would get supplies they need because they are part of our team. We will put in place all the necessary supplies to ensure that they can continue to take care of our patients.”

Mr Gan added that the authorities are in discussions with Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners on how they can get supplies of masks. 

The novel coronavirus, now officially known as Covid-19, first infected people in Wuhan of China’s Hubei province and has now spread to 28 other countries.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced three more confirmed cases in Singapore, bringing the total number to 50. 

To support patients, healthcare workers and vulnerable members of the community who may need more help beyond what the Government and social service agencies can provide, The Courage Fund was thus resurrected to augment these efforts.

The fund was previously set up in 2003 to help healthcare workers and patients infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister of Social and Family Development, said that the National Council of Social Service and the Community Chest will facilitate contributions to the fund. 

Already, Capitaland Hope Foundation, the philanthropic arm of real estate investor and developer CapitaLand, have donated S$300,000 and the President’s Challenge under the patronage of President Halimah Yacob have contributed S$250,000 to the fund, Mr Lee said. 

More details on how individuals may donate to the fund will be announced soon. 

As for the soon-to-be-launched centralised online platform, it came about after the Government received feedback that it would be helpful if Singaporeans have just one outlet where they can provide help — especially since several ground-up initiatives have sprung up.

Mr Lee said: “There are many people who are doing things, but they say they need greater reach, for people to volunteer, to donate things.

“They also hope that they can be given some

signposting as to the kind of needs that are in the frontlines. They want to do something but ask us what is it that is needed… so that we do not waste our resources, we do not channel them to the wrong places.”

This centralised channel will then enable these self-start groups, Government-led initiatives and their partners to be publicised.

Mr Lee said: “(It will be for) people who can step forward and say, ‘This is the area I’d like to play a part, that is an area I’d like to support’, for people who ask, ‘Where can I go, what can I do, who do I contact’.”

More details on when this is available will be released soon. 

“We are encouraged and heartened by the outpouring of support from many Singaporeans, who — in spite of these trying times — stepped forward to do their part in various ways, from appreciating the sacrifice of our frontline workers, speaking up for them, standing up for them, to volunteering to help the vulnerable by calling out discriminatory behaviour. All these efforts count,” Mr Lee said.