Enhancing the Health of the Malay Community

In January 2021, Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) established a partnership to better care for residents in the Geylang area, and reach out to the Malay communities in Central Singapore.

The collaboration started with a Community Health Post at WGS, where residents can consult TTSH Health Coaches on their health concerns, work together to improve their quality of life, and monitor their blood pressure and weight. We also invited the Health Coaches to join WGS’s anniversary celebrations in January, when they conducted a health talk on coping well during the pandemic and shared exercise activities with about 1,300 residents on a Facebook livestream.

​

Over the past months, the Health Coaches have completed one structured programme – “Walking Foodpedia” – which focuses on nutrition and healthy eating through experiential learning to facilitate the participants’ understanding. The eight participants expressed that they enjoyed the 4-week programme and are more motivated to put their new knowledge to use and make wiser choices when they prepare or shop for their meals. They also expressed their interest in other wellness programmes and are looking forward to them.

​

One unique aspect of this partnership is the co-design of programmes specifically for the Malay community, making it more relatable for residents. The team created a year-long calendar of activities revolving around key dates in the Muslim calendar, starting with the Ramadan period in April and May. From health talks on chronic disease management and low-impact aerobic exercises for people who are fasting, to cooking workshops on healthy Malay dishes, these weekly activities reached more than 63,000 residents through online broadcast and publicity.

​

With this strong partnership, both WGS and TTSH hope to reach out to more people in the Malay communities and provide better care to them.