Letter of the week: Sensing my anxiety, doctor held my hand during procedure
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In a rapidly ageing population, small acts of kindness to the elderly go a long way, says the writer.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PEXELS
I am 65 and, like many senior citizens, am fearful of medical procedures. I thus felt blessed to have received the care of a wonderful, kind doctor when I was admitted to the National University Hospital for pneumonia in May 2024.
When Dr Dominic Tan sensed I was anxious, he would hold my hand gently to reassure me. He would also squat or bend down when he spoke to me to maintain eye contact.
When he learnt I was afraid of undergoing a procedure, he offered to be there. He turned up when I was having a cannula inserted, and held on to my hand. Even the staff remarked it was unusual for a doctor to be there for the procedure.
If not for his kindness, I would not have gone ahead with the procedure, which was needed to check the cause of my infection.
I hope Dr Tan will be an inspiration to fellow Singaporeans. In a rapidly ageing population, small acts of kindness to the elderly go a long way.
Chua Kim Lan
