Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
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Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic (SBFC) is a charitable organization established by local Buddhists. Its objective, based on the Buddha's teaching of loving kindness and compassion, is to provide free medical services to the sick and needy, so as to relieve them from suffering and to help them lead a healthier and happier life.
Founding of the Free Clinic
The Free Clinic was established in 1969. The idea for setting up a Free Clinic was initiated by the late Ven. Siong Khye (BBM). Ven. Hong Choon, the late abbot of Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, supported it enthusiastically and donated the total net income from a religious ceremony held in 1966, which amounted to more than SGD 76,000. The response from fellow Buddhists was also overwhelming. A Protem Committee was formed immediat ely. The name "Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic" was chosen, the constitutions drafted, and an application to the Registry of Societies for registration was made. On 12 May 1969, the approval of its registration was given by the Registry of Societies and gazetted on 16 May 1969 in the Gazette No 46.
Founders :
14 September 1969
On 14 September 1969, Buddhists were invited to be sponsors of the Free Clinic. Poh Toh Temple at Yan Kit Road off Tanjong Pagar was approached to lend a portion of the Temple's second floor to the Clinic to provide free medical services. The board of management was formed to plan and manage the activities. It was most encouraging that on 17 September 1969, the Free Clinic was granted the status of a public charitable organization by the Income Tax Department. Thus, all donations to the Free Clinic became tax exempted.
1 November 1969
1 Nov 1969 was a historical moment for Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic. On that day, it started to provide free medical services. On 22 Nov, Mr. Chan Chee Seng, the then Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Social Affairs, officiated the opening of the Free Clinic. Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic was thus established.
1972
In 1972, a HDB shop house at Block 77, #01-519 Indus Road was leased for setting up the first Branch Clinic. This was to meet high demand of our medical services from the sick and poor. It started operation on 1 Dec 1972 and was officially opened by Mr. Chan Chee Seng on 17 Dec 1972.
1975
The premises at 48 Lorong 23, Geylang was bought in 1975. Following the completion of the three and half storey Buddhist Free Clinic Building at the premises in 1979, the second Branch Clinic was established and became operational from 1 Dec 1979 at its ground floor. The head office of the Free Clinic is housed on the second floor, a meeting room on the third and information centre on the fourth floor. On 9 Dec. 1979, Mr. Ang Keong Lan, BBM(L), a renowned banker, officiated the opening ceremony of the Building.
September 1983
In Sept 1983, the Free Clinic was approved as a member of the National Council of Social Service.
1992
At the 1992 General Meeting for Sponsors, amendments to the Constitutions were passed that the Branch situated at the Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic Building be renamed as the Main Branch and the others as Tanjong Pagar Branch and Delta Branch respectively. The management of the Clinic was improved with the revised Constitutions.
1 September 1992
To further extend our services, the void deck at Block 348, #01-2096, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3 was leased from HDB to set up the Ang Mo Kio Branch. It started operation on 1 Sept 1992 and was officially opened by Mrs. Wee Kim Wee, the then First Lady.
1994
At the 1994 General Meeting of Sponsors, the proposal to set up Medical Assistance scheme was passed. Needy patients who are hospitalized or chronically sick requiring long term medication, can apply for financial assistance.
In 1994, owing to the large number of patients, Delta Branch became overcrowded and was moved to Block 139, #01-1096, Tiong Bahru Road (behind Redhill MRT Station). It was renamed as Redhill Branch. BG(NS) George Yeo, Minister for Information and the Arts and Minister for Health, officiated its opening ceremony on 6 Nov. 1994.
1997
As from Jan 1997, the Free Clinic became a member of Health Endowment Fund under Ministry of Health. Because of the overcrowding of patients and the development plan of Poh Toh Temple, the Tanjong Pagar Branch was moved in Apr 1997 to No 44 , Craig Road, a two and half storey preserved shophouse purchased by the Free Clinic for this purpose. Dr. Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Mayor, Tanjong Pagar CDC, officiated the opening ceremony on 23 Nov 1997.
2001
In 2001, affected by the HDB re-development project for Redhill estate, the Redhill Branch has been relocated to the void deck at #01-20, Block 131, Clarence Lane. Dr. Ow Chin Hock, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Mayor, Tanjong Pagar CDC, officiated the opening of the new office on 25 Nov 2001.
2004
At the Annual General Meeting, it was voted to pass that a new SBFC building will be erected to replace the old one. This came about because the old building was in a grave state of deteoriation and incuring high repair and maintenance costs in the process. Also, the size of the building was no longer apt for SBFC's growth and operations in the new millennium. A committee was set up to oversea this project.
September 2005
The old SBFC building penned the last chapter of its history as domolition works began on 6th September. Central administrative operations were moved to a temporary location at 14 Lor 25 Geylang. The ground-breaking ceremony took place on 13 November, with Minister of State, MCYS, Mdm Yu-Foo Yee Shoon as the Guest-of-Honour.
Currently, Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic has six branches. They are situated at densely populated areas across the Island in Geylang, Tanjong Pagar, Redhill, Delta, Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East, to provide caring and free medical services. In the past 29 years, more than 10 million treatments have been given to our patients. With the generous support from fellow Buddhists and the public, we will continue to contribute more to health-care services for the lower and middle income people.
Contact Info
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