A day in the life of a Community Engagement Officer at MOHT

A Day in the Life at MOHT series

One of MOHT’s strengths stems from having a pool of talents from diverse backgrounds, facilitating the cross-diffusion of learning and insights within the organisation and across the ecosystem.

“A Day in the Life at MOHT” is a new MOHT blog series where featured colleagues relate how their individual talent, experience and practice has enriched MOHT’s tapestry of contributions towards the transformation of Singapore’s healthcare.

In the fourth edition, we look at a day in the life of a Community Engagement Officer, Penny Chua. She is part of the Integrated Health Promotion team in MOHT.

Contributed by Penny Chua

My journey in the healthcare sector began in 2003, when within three months of starting my role as a corporate communications executive in a restructured hospital, Singapore was hit by the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. It was a period marked by uncertainty and profound anxiety, as we navigated a crisis of unprecedented scale in my work life. It was all hands on deck and I soon found myself involved in contact tracing efforts. My involvement in contact tracing made me realise that much was needed to be done but there just wasn’t enough of us to go around. So in a spontaneous decision, I volunteered for fever screening duties in the Emergency Department – on top of my work in the corporate communications department. The days blurred into nights as I worked tirelessly alongside selfless and dedicated colleagues. I vividly recall keeping a bag of clothes and toiletries under my desk in anticipation of potential self-quarantine if I were to come into contact with a SARS-positive patient. It was a mix of worry and excitement to be involved in frontline response. Together, my colleagues and I forged strong bonds through our shared experiences. This milestone event left an enduring impression on me, igniting a passion for healthcare. I resolved to dedicate my career to the field of healthcare, where in ways big or small, I could make a real impact on the lives of others.

Fast forward to today, I am serving my 21st year in healthcare. I am currently with the Integrated Health Promotion (InHealth) team at the MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation, in a community engagement role. This transition is a challenge that I embrace, having taken on communication roles across diverse industries including hospitality, retail, shipping and transportation. My experience has been enriched by the opportunity to engage with people of varied backgrounds.

Presenting to Grassroots Adviser and grassroots leaders at a community event in Yio Chu Kang.

My transition to community engagement was smoothened thanks to my experience from other organisations that focused on mental health and elder care.

Through my interactions with residents, I witnessed firsthand the health challenges that they face. Thus, shifting our focus upstream – towards preventive healthcare rather than solely treatment-based approaches – resonates deeply with me. By doing so, we can proactively address health issues before they escalate, improving the overall well-being of our communities.

Digital Local Connect launch at Yio Chu Kang

The Healthier Boon Lay Carnival

An event I was recently involved in – the Healthier Boon Lay Carnival – opened my eyes to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. The Grassroots, volunteers, partners, residents, my fellow colleagues, all pulling together in their respective roles to make things happen; , so that we are able to provide collective care and support to those in need in the community.

My workdays are filled with diverse activities. We start with team huddles in the mornings, to discuss the progress of community projects.

Our team plays an interesting and important role as change catalysts. We engage community partners and grassroots organisations to understand the work they do, appreciate the ground issues and challenges they face, and seek opportunities to bring potential partners together to explore collaborative work. Sometimes our role is akin to that of a matchmaker, linking potential partners to explore collaboration opportunities, leveraging each other’s strengths and resources to improve services, outreach and encourage the community to adopt better and healthier lifestyle habits. We have introduced user friendly digital tools for partners to use in town audits for estate improvement works.

We pilot programmes at the precinct level to gauge effectiveness, aiming to scale successful projects. Our focus extends from fostering behavioural changes in the community to promoting healthier lifestyles.

The Dynamic InHealth Team

The InHealth team is incredibly cohesive, supporting each other despite differences in opinions and working styles.

We have a saying, “Gwenchana yo?” which means “Are you OK?” in Korean, which we use to check in on each other regularly. It may be a simple gesture, but it carries profound meaning, reassuring us that we stand together and are always ready to lend a helping hand to one another. Through both challenges and triumphs, we have forged strong bonds and become a tightly knit unit. I am deeply grateful and honoured to be a part of this team that foster such incredible esprit de corps.

Choosing a career in MOHT

If I could go back and start over, would I still choose to be in healthcare? Absolutely! I would opt to begin my career earlier and work on the frontline, directly caring for patients. While I am currently not in a patient facing role, I find fulfilment in nurturing the careers of two young healthcare professionals — my daughters. One is making a difference as an occupational therapist and the other as a nurse, allowing me to leave my legacy through their service to the community.

Giving back to society through meaningful careers is an aspiration for many. My role in MOHT gives me a sense of purpose and fulfilment, according me the opportunity to foster connections with communities and drive meaningful change.

Giving back to the community together with the MOHT family

Giving back to the community together with the MOHT family

Proud to be part of the MOHT Family!