Singapore Government Press Release

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SATA is 50 years old this year. 50 years ago, tuberculosis was the number one killer disease in Singapore. The poor, in particular, suffered greatly from the scourge of the disease. In August 1947, a group of public-spirited visionaries founded SATA to fight this dreaded disease.
In the beginning, SATA operated in borrowed premises at St Andrew�s Mission Hospital in Tanjong Pagar. In its first year of operation, it provided over 15,000 X-rays and treatment, mainly to the poor and needy.

Today, SATA operates from three clinics located at Jurong, Kreta Ayer and here at Chai Chee. It provides a total of more than 400,000 X-rays, tests and treatment each year.
It remains steadfast in its mission to serve the less fortunate. 15,000 aged, poor and needy in the community receive free or highly subsidised services and treatment each year. No one has ever been turned away by SATA in its entire history because he or she could not afford the modest fees that SATA charges.

Just as much as it is committed to providing affordable services, SATA is equally committed to improving the range and quality of its services. This new clinic with its up-to-date facilities is a testimony to this commitment. SATA�s range of services has expanded steadily in response to the health needs of our society. In addition to X-rays and X-ray related services, SATA now offers cardiac, mammography, treadmill and HIV screening services.

At this juncture, I would like to remember the generosity of the late Mr G Uttamram for the donation of the land on which this clinic stands. Mr Uttamram was a Vice-Chairman and then a Vice-Patron of SATA. His gift to SATA in 1954 enabled SATA to expand its services to meet the needs of the people living in and around Chai Chee. The number of people served by the clinic has grown rapidly in the past 20 years.

I am pleased that this new clinic will still be called the SATA Uttamram Clinic. The name is a fitting tribute and an example of how charity organisations like SATA can acknowledge and remember in perpetuity the generosity of past benefactors. It is important to regularly remind ourselves of their examples - that we too may learn to share our success.
It is a culture and tradition worth promoting.

Finally, let me welcome heads of the delegation from more than 15 countries in the Eastern Region of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. I know you are here for the Eastern Region Conference. I am glad that you could join us on this occasion.

It is now my pleasure to declare the SATA Uttamram Clinic open.

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