CEO T K Udairam receiving the award from BG Lee Hsien Loong.

FAMILY FRIENDLY FIRM

Implementing family-friendly policies have paid off for Changi General Hospital as it clinches the Family Friendly Firm award for the second consecutive year. On 29th Sep, CEO Mr T K Udairam received the award from the Deputy Prime Minister BG Lee Hsien Loong.

In a fast-paced knowledge-based economy where human capital is mobile and things move at lightning speed, CGH believes that it makes good business dollars and sense to provide programmes that help employees balance the demands of work and their personal and family lives. Putting in place pro-family initiatives has helped CGH attract and retain skilled employees.

As said by DPM Lee Hsien Loong, who pre-sented the awards, "Family friendly practices are be-coming increasingly relevant to firms. In the New Economy driven by technology and globalisation, more and more businesses are having to function 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.''

"We have to manage the impact of the increasing pace and volume of work on our personal and family lives, and strike a harmonious balance between work and family," he added.

As succinctly put by BG Lee, " The family fills crucial aspects of our lives which friends and office colleagues cannot. It is our emotional raft, providing stability and support in difficult times."

H.E.A.L.T.H Gold Award

Indeed, it has been a fruitful season for Changi General Hospital. A second time winner of the H.E.A.L.T.H Gold award, this year has seen Changi General Hospital clinching the coveted award again. The H.E.A.L.T.H Gold Award (Helping Employees Achieve Life-Time Health) was given out by the Ministry of Health to recognise the efforts of organisations which are pro-health by inculcating a healthy living mentality in their workers. Striving to help nurses and staff pursue healthy lifestyles, the hospital has lined up a series of activities.

The programme adopts a structured and holistic approach including Health Screenings which are meant to detect any hidden weaknesses in each individual staff's health and to provide follow-up programmes to counter them. In another component of the programme, Test Your Limits, staff are encouraged to work through a series of health stations. These stations comprise a number of exercises, including jogging, walking, skipping and step-up. Points are then awarded for each station for the assessment of the staff's fitness levels.

Various departments also pitted their brawn against each other in inter-departmental tournaments and the Staircase Marathon, culminating with the grand finale of Healthy Sandwich and Salad Competition. Some innovative, others wacky, but all using healthy ingredients like avocado and boiled shredded chicken, the scrumptious sandwiches are well-received by one and all.

Moving to the beat of health are staff at the hospital