Fostering personal health empowerment with T.A.G.: Test, Advise, Go!

23^rd September 2023 marked the second year running for Health T.A.G. (Test, Advise, Go)! This year, in collaboration with the Yio Chu Kang Grassroots Organisation and MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT), we brought Health T.A.G. to residents in Yio Chu Kang where more than 400 participants joined us at Blk 644 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4. Residents got to test and find out their health condition, obtain advice and explore how to take better ownership of their own health through educational and fun activities brought together by our community partners. They were also treated to performances put up by various interest groups.

We are honoured to be joined by Mr Yip Hon Weng, advisor to Yio Chu Kang Grassroots Organisations, and various stakeholders during our health fair.

Guest of Honour, Mr Yip Hon Weng, advisor to Yio Chu Kang Grassroots Organisations (centre) joined by various partners of Health T.A.G. @ YCK 2023

Qigong exercise performance put up by YCK SCEC Health Qigong

Participants enjoying the Line Dance performance

This year’s iteration of “Test, Advise, Go!” once again included stations to pick up the “Three Highs” and offer personalised health risk advice by volunteer pharmacists. The added-value this year, was an on-the-spot booking to follow up with a GP partner who supported our event, for those who did not already have their own go-to doctor.

Pharmacy student volunteer taking blood pressure of participant

Pharmacy student volunteer explaining the albuminuria urine dipstick test

Pharmacy student volunteer assisted to run the lipid panel and HbA1c tests

Participants took blood test and received their lipid panel and HbA1c results on the same day

Health T.A.G. pharmacist and Pharmacy student volunteer providing personal risk advice to participant

This year – through partnering organisations such as AWWA, Health Promotion Board (Healthy 365), PanCare Medical Clinic, Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS), the Silver Generation Office, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Central Health team, and many more – residents were given the information to take steps towards living healthily and ageing gracefully.

Administration of vaccinations to at-risk group of participants by PanCare Medical Clinic

Community partners such as Dementia Singapore interacted with residents to share healthy living tips

Both the young and old were actively engaged at the health fair

Pharmacy student volunteer assisting participant to follow through their health screening after the event

We would like to give thanks to our co-organisers and community partners, without whom Health T.A.G. @ YCK would not have been possible. We would also like to express our gratitude towards our volunteers – both students and pharmacists alike, who have gone above and beyond to serve our participants.

We look forward to continuing our movement in empowering the public to take ownership of their health in 2024!

Special thanks to AstraZeneca, Pfizer Pte Ltd, Amgen Biotechnology Singapore Pte Ltd, Fonterra Brands Singapore, Hyphens Pharma International Ltd., mobiledoctorclinic, NewGen Biotechnology Pte Ltd, Omron Healthcare, Smith and Nephew Pte Ltd, Wellesta Healthcare (Singapore) Pte Ltd for supporting this initiative!

Article by Teng Zhi Qian (Year 4 Pharmacy student, Vice Project Director, Public Relations)
Photos taken by Reuben Yeo (Year 3 Pharmacy student)

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