MASTER'S MESSAGE

24 January 2020

Dear Fellow Academicians

I hope you had a wonderful start to 2020. 

The Academy welcomed the new year on a busy note with a host of activities as we usher in the Lunar Year of the Rat.  On behalf of the Academy's Council, I wish all Fellow Academicians and Members good health, happinees and success.

We hope you could join us for our customary Chinese New Year Celebration to be held on 3 February 2020 (Monday), 7:00 pm at the Academy's office.  It will be a lively evening of Fellowship over a Lo-Hei Dinner.  Please register your attendance with membership@ams.edu.sg.

The 53rd Singapore-Malaysia Congress of Medicine, Induction Comitia 2020 and 24th Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration were held last Saturday, 18 January 2020, at the Carlton Hotel Singapore.  Themed 'Opioids in Pain Management: Challenges, Evidence-Based Practice and Guidelines', the symposium was organised following the cancellation of the 4th Tripartite Congress scheduled in Hong Kong in December last year.  The aim of keeping the sequence of the Congress of Medicine running is to preserve continuity of the annual fellowship that is shared between the three Academies.

We were privileged to have with us our friends from the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine whose presence here has yet again affirmed our joint commitment towards maintaining the highest standards of professional and ethical practice in medicine.  

The highlight of the evening was the 24th Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration entitled 'Human Solidarity in a Fragmenting World' delivered by Mr George Yeo, Former Cabinet Minister, Singapore.  Mr Yeo also graced the Induction Comitia as the Guest-of-Honour.

The oration was insightful, enlightening and prompted much soul-searching.  Our Fellows and guests were very impressed with Mr Yeo's in-depth analysis and wisdom in his assessment of the global landscape and affairs and the need for strong moral compass and values for solidarity in an age of mistrust and fragmentation.  The full transcript of the oration is available here.

A total of 79 inductees and 12 Distinguished Overseas Members were conferred with the Fellowship of the Academy that evening.  The Academy also witnessed the conferment of our first FAMS (International) inductee.  The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in May 2014, aims to establish pathways for medical and dental specialists in Brunei Darussalam, who have completed Basic Specialty Training in Brunei Darussalam, to undergo Advanced Specialist Training in Singapore.

The evening concluded with a Congress Dinner which was attended by our Past Masters, Council members of the Colleges and Chapters, overseas guests and Fellows.  There was so much camaraderie among the guests, catching up with each other over a simple yet cosy gathering.

I would like to record my appreciation and sincere thanks to all who have contributed towards making this event a success.  I am also grateful for the presence of all who have actively participated in the series of events on that day.

We look forward to your continuous support in our future activities.

Best Wishes

Dr S R E Sayampanathan
Master
Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Email: master@ams.edu.sg

- End of Report -