Alumni Stories

Shortly after the first coronavirus clusters were discovered in dormitories in April 2020, Dr Chua Ying Xian, Deputy Head of Pioneer Polyclinic and alumnus of the School (MPH ’14), started volunteering at the Sungei Tengah Lodge.

“The first day, it was overwhelming. I thought I was mentally and physically prepared, but I wasn’t,” said Dr Chua.

“[The full personal protective equipment] was very warm, ill-ventilated, and I remember feeling a bit nauseous after a while. The goggles would fog up and your eyes would tear and itch but you couldn’t rub them.”

The situation is much more stable now, he added, and seeing his patients at the dormitories get progressively better sustains him. “It is very satisfying to treat and manage them. They smile, you can see that they look forward to getting better. It keeps us going.”

The School is grateful to Dr Chua for his service, and to those working hard on the front lines to fight the COVID-19 outbreak and keep us safe.

Read about Dr Chua’s feature in The Straits Times on 19 May: Coronavirus: Polyclinic doctor among those helping out in dorms

Step into his shoes in this piece on NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine: Dispatch from the Front

Your journey after SSHSPH is important to us, and we’re always on the lookout for stories and updates from our alumni! Kindly share with us your life experiences, professional triumphs or inspiring adventures by emailing your story and photos to Ms Elizabeth Tan at elizabeth_tan@nus.edu.sg.