$50 m for kids' medical care

DONATION FROM KHOO TECK PUAT'S FAMILY

By Rachel Lin

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (right) unveils the statue of the late Khoo Teck Puat with Ms Mavis Khoo, daughter of the late Khoo Teck Puat. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Monday announced that the family of Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat - banker, real estate magnate and once Singapore's richest man - has pledged $50 million for children's medical care.

This money will go to the National University Health System (NUHS) and the National University of Singapore. It will enable them to expand their University Children's Medical Institute by building more outpatient clinic facilities, which will include developmental and paediatric services, counselling and activity areas and facilities for clinical trials.

In honour of Mr Khoo, the NUHS' University Children's Medical Institute will be renamed the Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute. 

Mr Lee made the announcement on Monday during the official opening ceremony for the Khoo Teck Puat hospital, which is also named after Mr Khoo. The hospital is Singapore's newest public hospital, and opened its doors for the first time in June. 

In his speech, Mr Lee praised the hospital, calling it 'an advance in the Government's efforts to deliver affordable, accessible and good quality care to Singaporeans'. 

He also stressed that, although Singapore's healthcare is among the best in Asia, healthcare professionals will have to keep up to date with the latest research, technology and international best practice. 

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