Gong Xi Fa Cai: Happy Chinese New Year!

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Healthy Yu Sheng D-I-Y
1
Call Centre Scores!
1
Health Tips
What’s bad about trans fat?
2
Teething Problems
2
Eye on myopia
3
Be Prepared: Pack Your Medicine Chest
4
Our Services
Check out our patient attendance real-time 3
Welcome back to Jurong Polyclinic
Compliments
3
4
A new s letter for patients • Feb/ Mar 2OO7
Gong Xi Fa Cai: Happy Chinese New Year!
Toss your calories and sugar worries away this Lunar New Year
Yu Sheng, also known as the Chinese-style colourful raw fish salad, is a
‘must-have’ during Chinese New Year. Besides the colourful flavours and
textures, Yu Sheng is loaded with symbolic meaning. The raw ingredients
signify the renewal of life and the word ‘Sheng’, which is ‘sang’ in Cantonese,
means ‘prosperity’.
Here is a recipe for a healthy yet delicious Yu Sheng:
Yu Sheng Recipe
I. Ingredients
(i) Yu Sheng Salad Mixture
1/4 cup preserved melon strip
1/4 cup white sour ginger strip
1/4 cup preserved leek strip
1/4 cup sweetened lime strip
1/4 cup sweetened ginger strip
1/4 cup preserved gourd wax strip
3 pomelo segments, broken up
1 medium shredded Green Radish
1 medium shredded Daikon (Chinese White Radish)
6 ounces salmon or fresh white fish fillet or sea bass
1 medium shredded carrot
1/4 lettuces thinly sliced
(ii) Yu Sheng Dressing
3 tablespoons plum sauce
1/2 teaspoon white pepper powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder (“five-spice” powder)
2 tablespoon fried sesame seeds
1/4 cup mashed roasted peanuts
1 packet of Pok Chui biscuits
2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
(*Note: using healthier oil such as canola or olive oil instead of palm oil)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon lime juice
Coriander leaves, spring onion and fried shallots for garnish
II. How to prepare Yu Sheng
1. Use a mandolin or the fine shredding disc of a food processor to
facilitate the very fine shredding of the radish and carrot.
2. In separate bowls, soak the shredded radish, carrot and lettuce with
cold water until you are ready to assemble the salad. When ready,
rinse out the excess water and air the shredded ingredients.
3. Cook the sesame seeds in a small frying pan over medium heat for
3 to 4 minutes. Shake the pan continuously during cooking until the
sesame seeds turn a light brown.
4. The quality and freshness of the fish is crucial for the success
of the dish. Chill the fish until it is firm. Remove its skin and
bones. Cut into paper-thin, 2-inch long slices against the
grain. Set this aside while preparing the Yu Sheng dressing.
5. For the dressing, mix lime juice, oil and plum sauce in a
small bowl.
III. How to assemble Yu Sheng
1. Place pomelos in the centre of a platter. Arrange lettuce, radish
and carrot shreds around the fish. Place fish slices over the
pomelos and add green onions over the fish.
2. Arrange preserved melon strips, white sour ginger strips, preserved leek
strips, sweetened lime strips, sweetened ginger strips and preserved
gourd wax strips around the lettuce, radish and carrot shreds. Sprinkle
with Pok Chui biscuits, peanuts and sesame seeds.
3. Just before serving, pour dressing ingredients over all. It is customary
for everyone to join in and toss the salad. Using chopsticks, each diner
digs from the bottom of the salad and lifts the ingredients to mix together.
HEALTH TIP
Yu Sheng consists mainly of protein from the fish, peanuts and sesame
seeds; fibre, salt and sugar from the preserved vegetable strips; fat from
the oil in the dressing and the Pok Chui biscuits. As it contains less
carbohydrate, it is good to serve it only as an appetizer.
Since all the items are served separately before the mixing, the amount of
dressing (especially the amount of oil and sauces) can be reduced before
adding onto the dish. The amount of deep fried Pok Chui biscuits can also
be omitted or reduced if you wish to have a healthier version of Yu Sheng.
Another alternative is to control the amount consumed.
Call Centre Scores!
NHG Polyclinics came out top as the best overall performer for 2006 in the 5th Annual Telephone Service
Standards Audit.
Commissioned by the National Healthcare Group and conducted by Media Research, this audit rates all
institutions within NHG in terms of their customer service, product knowledge, responsiveness, and
communication skills.
The audit revealed our service excellence in our reliability and helpfulness, knowledge and resolution, and
communication skills, areas where we scored 85% and above. We also registered a 35% overall improvement
from our previous audit score.
Not about to rest on our laurels, NHGP will continue to do our best and serve our patients better.
The recent positive telephone audit is an endorsement of our hard work and contribution. Being the focal point
of contact, we are committed to support NHGP’s mission to provide patient-centred quality service. Our aim
is to be NHGP’s information hub, handling multiple channels of co-ordination and communication.
M.I.T.A (P) No. 249/03/2006
page 1
Our Services
What’s bad about trans fat?
Here are some facts to give you a better understanding of why
trans fat is bad for your health.
What is trans fat?
Trans fat (also called trans fatty acids) is formed when liquid
vegetable oils go through a chemical process called
hydrogenation, in which hydrogen is added to make the
oils more solid.
What are the dangers of trans fat?
1. Trans fat can increase our LDL or “bad” cholesterol
and reduce our HDL or “good” cholesterol, causing
dyslipidaemia (commonly known as high cholesterol).
These in turn may lead to high blood pressure,
heart diseases and stroke.
2.
Trans fat reportedly increases the risk of heart
attacks more than any other nutrient. Studies have
shown that a 2% in energy intake from trans fatty
acids was associated with a 23% increase in the
incidence of heart attacks.
3. In addition, research has suggested that trans fatty acids
increase the risk of diabetes.
4. Trans fat is suggested to possibly increase the risk of gall
stones in men.
Where can trans fat be found?
The majority of trans fat can be found in stick (or hard) margarine,
cookies, crackers, snack foods, fried fast foods, doughnuts, pastries,
baked goods, and other processed foods made with or fried in
partially hydrogenated oils.
Teething problems
Many parents are not as vigilant about their young children brushing their
teeth because they have the impression that their teeth are milk teeth and
will fall out anyway.
The truth is decayed milk teeth can cause damage to the underlying
permanent teeth. And if the milk teeth have to be extracted early, this may
cause the permanent teeth to become misaligned and your child will end
up with crooked teeth – which are not pretty!
Why are trans fat used in these fried and baked food?
Trans fat is popularly used because it has a long shelf-life, can be used
repeatedly in deep-frying without going bad, and it tastes good. However,
trans fat is bad for our health.
How much trans fat can you take?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that trans fat intake be
limited to less than 1% of daily calorie intake. The Health Promotion Board
(HPB) also recommends the consumption of not more than 2g of trans fat
a day, based on a 2,000 kilocalorie diet.
Can food still taste good without the presence of trans fat?
Many restaurants and food manufacturers have switched to non-hydrogenated
oils without customers noticing the difference.
How to limit the amount of trans fat intake?
Read ingredients list
Products from countries such as the U.S. label the amount of trans fat they
contain. HPB has also been encouraging local food manufacturers to do so.
Look out for products with the Healthier Choice Symbol.
Choose the right food
Go for foods which do not contain “vegetable oil shortening”, “partially
hydrogenated vegetable oil” or “hydrogenated vegetable oil.” If the label
breaks down “total fat” into “saturated fat” and “unsaturated fat”, make
sure the amount adds up to the total. If they don’t , trans fat is likely to
be hidden in the difference.
Avoid the wrong food
Avoid fast food and commercial fried and baked foods as they contain trans fat.
While trans fat is bad for health, it is not the only factor leading to diseases
such as dyslipidaemia and diabetes. A well-balanced diet and regular
exercises carry equal weight in maintaining a healthy body.
Good dental care
• Limit frequency and intake of foods and beverages that contain large amounts
of sugar.
• Visit the dentist regularly, at least once every six months.
• Make tooth-brushing a family activity so that your child will come to see it
as something to be done everyday without fail.
• Brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush. Even
if he can brush his own teeth, be there to see that it is done correctly.
• For children above three years old, use fluoridated toothpaste when brushing
their teeth.
Teeth usually appear in children at around six months of age. And you
should start cleaning them as soon as they appear. For a child less than
three years old, use a piece of clean wet cloth wrapped around your finger
to gently wipe the teeth. Finger brushes, also used for the same purpose,
are available in pharmacies. There is no need for toothpaste. From three
years onwards, toothpaste can be introduced. Use a pea-size amount and
in the early years, you have to supervise your child’s tooth brushing.
Preventing tooth decay
Don’t let your child fall asleep with the milk bottle still in his mouth. This
can lead to tooth decay. When decay sets in, the front teeth are affected
first and gradually, the rest of the teeth. In severe cases, the damage
is extensive. The decayed teeth appear light brown to black in colour.
Likewise, sugars from sweets, cola beverages and even fruit juices can
contribute to tooth decay over a period of time. The problem is made
worse if your child doesn’t brush his teeth properly. Bacteria in the mouth
feed on these sugars and produce acids that attack the surfaces of the
teeth, causing tooth decay. Tooth decay can progress at a rapid rate in
children and become widespread. This may cause problems like pain,
gum swellings and in time, cavities may develop. You should limit the
amount and frequency of intake of sweet foods in your child.
page 2
Our Services
Check out our patient
attendance real-time!
Welcome back to
Jurong Polyclinic
Jurong Polyclinic will reopen on 28 February with a
spanking new look and upgraded amenities to serve
you better. We want to thank our patients for their
patience and understanding for the inconvenience
caused during the two months when it was closed for
renovations.
The newly renovated Jurong Polyclinic will have the
following features:
More comfort
The new design allows more natural light and better
ventilation in the waiting areas.
The waiting area at the pharmacy is now more spacious
to provide greater comfort for patients waiting to collect
their medication.
Patients of Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic can now check its patient attendance
real-time before heading down to the clinic.
With the introduction of NHGP Queue Viewer, patients will be able to make
better informed decisions.
Greater convenience
Nursing and medical services are located closer together
to make it more convenient for patients.
Check out www.nhgp.com.sg to view Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic’s patient
attendance. The Queue Viewer will eventually be rolled out to the other
NHG Polyclinics.
Newly
Renovated!
Singapore has one of the highest prevalence rates of myopia (short-sightedness) in the world. It usually develops in
children of school-going age and continues to worsen through to the early 20s, after which it stabilises. More than half
of school-going children are myopic by the time they are 12 years old and three quarters by the time they reach 18 years
old. The earlier a child develops myopia, the higher the tendency of developing severe myopia later in life.
Eye on myopia
While there is no conclusive evidence
as to what causes myopia, it has
been found that there are genetic
factors which make certain people
(and ethnic groups) more susceptible
to the development of myopia.
Myopia usually runs in the family.
Chinese are more prone to myopia
and the risk is higher if one or both
of the parents are also myopic.
Eyeglasses or contact lenses are the most common ways of correcting
myopia. There are also surgical procedures such as LASIK to improve or
correct myopia. However, these serve to correct refractive errors and do
not reduce the risk of complications of severe myopia which can cause
blindness. It is not advisable for children to undergo these surgical procedures
as their eyeballs are still growing and the myopia has not stablilised yet.
Reduce the risk of myopia
1. Control the amount of reading, time spent on the computer and other
near work which your child is engaged in. Although there are onerous
academic demands, remember that your child’s eyes will pay the penalty
in the form of worsening myopia. They should hold reading material at
least 40 cm away. There should be brief breaks after every 30 to 40
minutes of reading.
2. The eye may be more susceptible to myopia development at night.
Children should sleep early (with the lights off) and wake up early to
study. Daily outdoor activities provide better visual stimulation for the
eyes and may be beneficial.
If you suspect a visual disorder, bring your child to your family doctor or
qualified optometrist. The eyes of your child can be checked at any age.
If they are unable to resolve the problem, they will refer your child to an
ophthalmologist.
What’s the difference?
An optometrist is a person who is trained to examine your eyes to see
if spectacles will improve vision. He or she can measure the visual acuity
and pressure within the eye. By using specialised equipment, an optometrist
can perform a full examination on all the different parts of the eye.
Optometrists write a spectacle prescription that is given to the patient and
passed on to the optician.
An optician is a person who makes spectacles based on a prescription.
He or she can decide on the best type of lens and spectacle frame to suit
the individual. Optometrists and opticians often work together.
An ophthalmologist is a person who has qualified as a doctor and
specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. They can
prescribe spectacles and drugs. Most ophthalmologists will perform surgery
although they may specialise in different types of eye surgery.
DO NOT LET HEARING IMPAIRMENT
AFFECT YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE!!!
We dispense an extensive range of hearing aids, from
Non-programmable to Fully Digital. We also provide hearing
evaluation, counselling, and retailing of hearing aids
accessories. All these at an affordable cost!
Why wait? Call us NOW for a no-obligation consultation!
COHERENT HEARING HEALTHCARE CENTRE
Choa Chu Kang Polyclinic
Tel : 6763 3216
Level 3, Room 99
Hougang Polyclinic
Tel : 6387 4672
Level 3, opp Dentist
Changi Road
Tel : 6478 0781
#01-12, Castle Court
Tanglin Shopping Centre
Tel : 6736 2461
#05-17, 19 Tanglin Road
page 3
Be Prepared: Have Your First-aid Kit at Hand
A well-stocked first-aid kit is a necessity in every home. In an emergency, it is good to have some basic medical
supplies to deal with unforeseen injuries like cuts and burns.
The suggested contents of a basic first-aid kit include the following:
Contents
Adhesive tape
Adhesive/elastic bandages (various sizes)
Alcohol swabs
Antiseptic creams/solution
Burn ointment
Cotton balls
Eye wash solution
Plasters
Sharp scissors and tweezers
Sodium chloride 20ml x1
Disposable latex gloves (2 pairs)
Safety pins x 6pcs
Triangle Bandage
Sterile dressings/gauze
Recommended usage
To hold dressing in place
To cover, dress and protect cuts and wounds
To clean wounds
To clean and prevent infection of cuts and wounds
To prevent infection of burns
To apply medication, to wash wounds
To irrigate and wash eye
To cover cuts and wounds
To cut gauze/bandages and for removal of foreign objects from skin
To clean wounds
To prevent contamination from wounds
To hold bandages together
To support an injured arm
To dress and clean wounds
62-year-old Mdm Lee Soh Lui has been visiting
Woodlands Polyclinic for her diabetes condition since
The contents of your kit will vary according to the number of family members. Speak to
2003. Under the care of our multi-disciplinary team
your pharmacist to select the appropriate items based on your needs.
of doctors, nurses and dietician and with her own
Inform your pharmacist if you have:
determination, Mdm Lee’s condition is now under
• Drug allergies
control. Read on as she shares with you her experience
• Underlying medical conditions
on how she copes with her chronic condition.
Patient Testimonial
DISCOUNT
VOUCHER
After you have stocked your first-aid kit:
• Be sure you understand how to use the contents of your kit.
• Check the kit regularly.
• Check expiry dates and replace any missing items that are expired.
• Store in a secure place, out of reach of young children.
• Include emergency phone numbers: ambulance, next-of-kin’s contact details etc.
NHG Pharmacy First Aid Pouch
available at all NHG Pharmacies
$10.90
Usual Price
$12.90
Save $2.00
Terms & Conditions
• One voucher is entitled to one pouch.
• Photocopies of voucher are not accepted.
• NHG Pharmacy reserves the right to amend
the privileges, terms & conditions without
prior notice.
• Valid till 30 April 2007
How have your condition improved since you
started visiting our doctors at Woodlands
Polyclinic?
I was suffering from cancer of the bile duct and leukemia and this took a
toll on my health. When I found out that I had diabetes, I had a hard time
battling my condition due to my weak health. But since visiting Woodlands
Polyclinic, I have managed to keep my condition under control with the
help of the doctors and nurses.
How have our doctors and nurses helped you improve and stabilise
your diabetes condition?
The doctors have been extremely caring and patient. They were very
thoughtful as they would often schedule my consultation towards the end
of the day so that they could spend more time going through my medical
record and help me understand my condition better. Also, as I was allergic
to various drugs, the doctors have to be extremely careful in selecting the
right prescriptions for me. Nurses at the clinic were equally encouraging
as they often keep track of my condition through phone calls.
What advice do you have for the other chronic patients to help them
keep their conditions under control?
Besides taking medications promptly, chronic patients should also exercise
strict discipline on their diet and exercise regime.
Living by her testimony, the retired Mdm Lee keeps to a strict diet and
often exercises to keep healthy. She also regularly attends religious studies.
Compliments
Toa Payoh Dental Clinic
To: Dr George Yong
From: Dr Prema
I saw Dr George Yong for my buccal cavity recently.
I was impressed by his clear instructions, gentle
and skillful communication. He explained my
condition clearly and went the extra mile to walk
out of the consultation room to provide me with
some instructions on how to manage my sensitive
gums. Keep up the excellent work!
Toa Payoh Polyclinic
To: CM K Nanda Kumari
From: Bannu Hodge
Nanda has been providing me with excellent
counselling and encouragement. She often goes
out of her way to serve her patients and even
follows up with them via phone calls. She is very
knowledgeable and knows her work well. I am
pleasantly surprised at her dedication to her patients.
Jurong Dental Clinic
To: PSA Lee Seok Hang
From: Khoo-Tan Keng Tin
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Seok
Hang who took the trouble to return my NRIC card which
I had left behind at your service counter. Seok Hang ran
all the way to the bus stop to return it to me. I was
impressed by her service.
Woodlands Polyclinic
To: CE Goh Phit Yen
From: Yeoh Geok Kooi
I approached Phit Yen to obtain a copy of my blood test
report. Although it was 5.45pm and she was getting ready
to leave for the day, Phit Yen readily helped me with my
request without a moment of hesitation or reluctance.
Her ‘going the extra mile’ has saved me another trip to
the polyclinic and definitely changed the bad impression
I had previously about polyclinic service.
Hougang Polyclinic
To: Dr Lim Chee Kong & PSA Mary Choo
From: Priscilla Leong
I visited Hougang Polyclinic and was impressed with the
service rendered. Mary’s chirpy greeting definitely made
my day. Dr Lim Chee Kong provided quality consultation
with his clear and concise explanations. I really appreciated
his encouragement for me to moderate my own health
and medication, which I had thought most doctors wouldn’t.
Chairperson
Dr Tung Yew Cheong, Woodlands Polyclinic
Managing Editor
Ms Sharon Lok, Corporate Communications, HQ
Editor
Ms Eleanor Toh, Corporate Communications, HQ
Members
Ms Jancy Mathews, Nursing, HQ
Ms Pauline Ang, Singapore Footcare Centre
Ms See Yen Theng, NHG Pharmacy
The information produced is for reference and
educational purposes only. As each person’s medical
condition is unique, you should not rely on the
information contained in this newsletter as substitute
for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on
treatment. If you are concerned about your health,
please consult a healthcare professional.
Reproduction of the articles in whole or part without
permission is prohibited.
For advertising rates and enquiries, please call Jeslyn
Wong at 63552834 or email [email protected]
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