5-6-2023 (SINGAPORE) On Monday (Jun 5), Temasek Foundation unveiled a new S$100 million endowment aimed at promoting maternal and child health in Singapore. The fund will provide support for programs focused on antenatal and postnatal care, as well as initiatives that enhance children’s health and well-being, according to a press release from Temasek Foundation.
The endowment fund has been named in tribute to the late Richard Magnus, former chairman of the Public Transport Council and chief district judge, who passed away in March last year. Mr. Magnus was also the founding chairman of Temasek Cares (now known as Temasek Foundation Cares) and former deputy chairman of Temasek Foundation.
During his tenure, Temasek Foundation under Mr. Magnus’ leadership actively supported programs that introduced new care models, which were subsequently adopted by the government and other relevant sectors. One such model, a collaborative effort between Temasek Foundation, KKH, and SingHealth Polyclinics at Punggol Polyclinic, integrated care within the community to address the needs of mothers and children in areas such as nutrition, development, and parenting.
The Integrated Maternal and Child Wellness Hub, launched in 2019 at Punggol Polyclinic, conducted over 14,000 free screenings during its two-year pilot program, focusing on child development and maternal emotional health. The success of the initiative has led to its expansion to three other SingHealth polyclinics in Bedok, Tampines, and Sengkang.
Additionally, this model is being incorporated into a pilot integrated family support program called Family Nexus, jointly led by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social and Family Development. Introduced in March last year, Family Nexus enables families to access various services at a single community location, eliminating the need for multiple visits to different sites.
Currently, Family Nexus is being piloted at four sites located in Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang, Punggol, and Tampines. The program aims to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of support services for families in Singapore.
