XN000022-1972-06-07 — Page 42

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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