For more than 20 years, Associate Professor Wong Mee Lian from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health has been tirelessly involved in projects to promote condom use among those in the sex trade. Her efforts have helped bring down the numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among sex workers and their clients in Singapore.
A/Prof Wong received the Red Ribbon award at the 9th Singapore Aids Conference held on 29 November 2014. Presented by Action For Aids Singapore, the award honours individuals who have made significant contributions in the fight against HIV.
A/Prof Wong has also led numerous research projects and studies involving freelance sex workers, sexually active adolescents, HIV-positive women and heterosexual males who engaged sex services online or in brothels and other establishments.
“I want to be an advocate for people who cannot advocate for themselves. My work is not to judge but to ensure that health is a basic right and that everyone has access to good health,” she says.
We at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health warmly congratulate A/Prof Wong on this distinguished and inspiring award!
Media Coverage:
- The Sunday Times, 30 November 2014, Sunday