27
December
2018
|
16:49
Asia/Singapore

Festive jingles fill the wards

KEVII Hall residents singing Christmas carols at Changi General Hospital

Soothing melodies filled the halls of Jurong Community Hospital and Changi General Hospital during the afternoons of 19 and 23 December respectively as 10 NUS students from King Edward VII (KEVII) Hall belted their hearts out to popular holiday songs, bringing smiles to the faces of patients and staff and spreading festive cheer to all present in the geriatric wards.

Project Director and Year 2 NUS Pharmacy student Oh Jin Hui said that the initiative served as an opportunity for KEVII Hall residents to give back to the community while sharing the warmth of the season with members of the public. “It was the first time carolling for many of our members and I’m glad they enjoyed themselves as much as the patients and their families did,” she said.

Besides delivering harmonious tunes, the students also enjoyed interacting with the elderly patients. The initiative is in line with the Hall’s emphasis on nurturing individuals to be active citizens, building on what they have learned and developed in the Hall.

Year 2 Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine student Vivian Le found the entire experience fulfilling. “I felt heartened that we were able to bring cheer to the patients through our songs. While at first we thought we would not be able to make a big difference, I saw that our singing improved the mood of the patients and made a significant impact on their day. Furthermore, it was a rare chance for me to get to know patients in a different context from what I’m used to as a medical student,” she said.

Dr Lee Chien Earn, CEO of Changi General Hospital and former resident of KEVII Hall from 1987 to 1992, expressed his appreciation for the students’ gift of song, saying, “Bringing the message of love and hope has brought joy to our patients and staff.”