Health T.A.G. in Action: Empowering Communities with Early Interventions

On 21 September 2025, NUS Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science students had the privilege of engaging the community through public education on preventive care at the Pharmacy Week Carnival, held at Heartbeat@Bedok.

For a second time, the September 2025 Health T.A.G. (Test, Advice, Go!) event was held in conjuncion with Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore’s (PSS) Pharmacy Week Carnival. Our aim is to empower the public to take charge of their health through early detection, education, and personalised risk discussions with a trained pharmacist.

A total of 206 participants ranging from age 30’s to 80’s completed a point-of-care testing circuit and received individualised information about their cardiovascular health and lifestyle advice from their very own pharmacists and pharmacy student volunteers. The event brought together healthcare professionals and the public in a meaningful exchange of knowledge, compassion, and care — embodying the spirit of health promotion.

This event was made possible by our valued partners at 1doc Clinic, iRx Clinical Pharmacy, and Buzud. Under the leadership of Dr Eugene Loke, 1doc’s dedicated health coaches provided value-added services, including vaccinations and comprehensive blood and urine testing. Dr Wee Xue Ting led her team at iRx Clinical Pharmacy with exemplary care and professionalism at the triage station, while Buzud staff conducted point-of-care testing efficiently and seamlessly.

Our student T.A.G. exco deserve special recognition for orchestrating the event from start to finish. On top of a hectic school curriculum and their usual co-curricular activities, they worked tirelessly to deliver the event end-to-end, coordinating with multiple partners and carrying out each task with professionalism and diligence. For many student volunteers, this hands-on opportunity reaffirmed their passion for pharmacy and their commitment to the profession. It highlighted the vital role pharmacists play in shaping healthier communities through empathy, education, and collaboration.

From a student’s perspective, Health T.A.G. serves as a valuable bridge between classroom learning and real-world application. It offers an authentic glimpse into the pharmacist’s evolving role in community health — one that goes beyond dispensing, to prevention, education, and patient empowerment.

“It was truly a privilege for students like us to be part of such a meaningful and impactful event. Beyond the health assessments, we experienced firsthand the value of healthcare outreach — seeing the direct impact of our efforts on the community. Reaching out to sponsors who shared our vision and witnessing this event come to life was both heartwarming and inspiring.”

“As a second-year volunteer with Health T.A.G., I helped out at the Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) station, where participants had their lipids and HbA1c levels tested. As part of my responsibilities, I explained the procedure to participants and worked closely with the nurses from Buzud to prepare them for the fingerprick test. Initially, I felt apprehensive about communicating clearly and confidently with participants, but thanks to the training sessions and the nurses’ guidance, the experience turned out to be incredibly rewarding. It was inspiring to witness how healthcare technology enables quick results — all from just a fingerprick test! I believe volunteering in such events complements what we learn in the curriculum, helping us grow as future pharmacists and advocates for preventive care.”

The NUS Health T.A.G. and PSS’ Pharmacy Week collaboration embodied the teamwork, compassion, and the enduring spirit of service that defines our Pharmacy community. Together, we continue our mission to promote health awareness, preventive care, and community empowerment, one outreach at a time.

Last but not least, we extend our sincere thanks to Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Health, and esteemed Pharmacy leaders, who graced our event. Their presence reaffirmed the importance of community outreach in advancing national health goals. We further are grateful for the support that the Peoples’ Association and grassroots teams for providing a wonderful venue, guidance, publicity and logistical support at Heartbeat@Bedok. Similarly, we thank our generous sponsors — Amgen, Galderma, Goldplus Universal, Hyphens, Innorini, Novartis, Sebamed, VitaHealth and Win Financial Group — whose partnership and trust made this initiative possible.

Article by Lim Hee Jae (Year 2 Pharmacy student and Vice Project Director, Health T.A.G. 2025) and A/Prof Doreen Tan (Faculty Advisor)

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