SINGAPORE- While the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) searches for a new chief executive officer, the Ministry of Health will provide whatever support necessary to support its patients and board of directors, said Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat on Saturday.

On Monday, NKF sacked Mr Edmund Kwok after he was found to have committed a "reportable offence" against a male colleague. A police report was lodged by the charity.

In the first public remarks by an officeholder on the episode, Mr Chee said that NKF is making sure that the medical charity can stabilise their operations and that services to their some 4,000 patients are not affected.

"We will work closely with NKF to ensure that the services for patients, the operations will continue," said Mr Chee, without going into details.

He was speaking at the sidelines of a community event.

Mr Chee added: " I think we are happy to know that our donors, the public, have expressed confidence that NKF will continue their operations to serve their patients well."

He also said that the health ministry will provide whatever assistance needed to the board of directors who is now looking for the next NKF CEO.

The alleged incident involving Mr Kwok occurred on Nov 7. His colleague reported it to his supervisor the next day.

Mr Kwok, 58, who is married with two children, did not deny the incident at a disciplinary hearing, said NKF chairman Koh Poh Tiong on Wednesday, when announcing the sacking.

The Straits Times understands the incident was of a sexual nature.