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Wednesday, June 7, 1972
MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC
Dr. Choa Replies To Critics In Lions Club Address
Dr. the Hon. G.H. Choa, Director of Medical and Health Services,
repeated today that disciplinary action would be taken against all
government hospital staff at any level found guilty of rudeness or
corruption.
"
"I will make further efforts to stamp out all these offences
which have given us such a bad name, he told a luncheon meeting of
the Lions Clubs. "Boxes will be re-introduced in every government
hospital and clinic, and people can lodge their suggestions and complaints
in them. They can, of course continue to write to me directly,
I personally see all such letters."
But he warned that anonymous letters would be ignored, since
it was "only fair that people who write should identify themselves by
giving us their genuine names and addresses."
In a wide-ranging speech covering a number of points brought
up in recent criticisms of the Department, Dr. Chos said the Department
had taken several measures to assure patients on entering government
hospitals that no payment was to be made for any service such as "the
use of bedpans, the filling of thermos flasks, and so on.
There were notices in every ward and clinic informing the public
not to tip the staff. It was known that the practice continued to
prevail, and he reminded the public that offering a gratuity in itself
encouraged this type of abuse.
/On hospital