Every day at United Medicare Centre’s (UMC) three nursing homes, nurses take gentle and attentive care of the residents. 

“Our nurses treat and comfort those with physical and cognitive disabilities, assess and monitor their health, ensure they take their medication as prescribed, and do much more,” shared UMC founder and chairman Mr Robin Ng. 

“We’ve been in the nursing home industry for the past 20 years and worked with many nurses who have inspired us with their commitment and courage. More recently, we have also seen their determination in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. 

United Medicare Centre’s (UMC) nurses and healthcare providers celebrating Nurses’ Day with food, performances, and games. 

To honour their contributions, mark UMC’s 20th anniversary and celebrate the opening of a new wing at their centre in Toa Payoh, the firm made a gift to establish the United Medicare Nursing Bursary at the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (ALCNS) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. 

“As we move towards a super-aged society in Singapore, the need for nurses will be greater than ever. We want to do our small part to help meet this need, by supporting financially needy undergraduate nursing students,” Mr Ng shared. 

UMC chairman and founder Mr Robin Ng presenting a cheque to Assoc Prof Liaw Sok Ying (centre), ALCNS’ Head of Department, to establish the United Medicare Nursing Bursary.

The Bursary will support one to two students each year, enabling them to focus on their demanding curriculum and studies, join co-curricular activities and live on campus without having to worry about their finances or take on part-time work.

For registered nurses who are undertaking the nursing degree on a part-time basis and have financial commitments, the Bursary will also lighten their financial burdens.

“The Bursary will play a crucial role in supporting students in need and are even more important now as many of our students face increasing financial constraints in pursuing higher education, with the economic uncertainties and rising cost of living,” noted Associate Professor Liaw Sok Ying, Head of Department of ALCNS. 

The gifts also promote diversity and inclusivity by empowering those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds to access quality education, she added. 

“Supporting the education of future nurses is also an investment in Singapore’s healthcare system and the overall wellbeing of our community,” she said.

Mr Ng wholeheartedly agrees. “If there is a mother figure in healthcare, it would be nurses. We hope this Bursary will encourage and help those pursuing this noble career,” he concluded.