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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
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Ministry of Health commences
inquiry into Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre |
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Inquiry into Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare
Centre |
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The Ministry of Health (MOH) is conducting
an inquiry into Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre (Ren Ci) under Section
8 of the Charities Act. |
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In July 2006, MOH carried out a general
review of corporate governance in its 12 larger Institutions of a Public
Character (IPCs), including Ren Ci. |
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The general review was conducted by MOH-appointed
Ernst & Young Associates Pte Ltd (EYA). Completed in Feb 2007, the
general review covered areas such as corporate governance structures,
internal controls, and compliance with IPC regulations. |
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The individual IPCs were asked to
progressively put in place the recommended improvement measures. One
recommendation was for Ren Ci to separate the roles of its Chairman and
CEO. Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman and CEO of Ho Bee Group, assumed the
chairmanship of Ren Ci in September 2007. |
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As the general review into Ren Ci’s past
transactions also disclosed other gaps in corporate governance and
internal controls, MOH commissioned EYA to carry out a more in-depth
evaluation. |
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The follow-up reviews have since identified
some possible irregularities in certain financial transactions involving
Ren Ci and certain external organisations. Hence, MOH is commencing an
Inquiry into Ren Ci to establish a fuller and better understanding of
these irregularities. |
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MOH is the administrator of the Health
Sector under the Charities Act. The Inquiry which is under the Charities
Act is expected to take about 3 months. MOH will announce the findings
after the Inquiry is completed and will take appropriate measures if
there are any breaches. |
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Lapse of Ren Ci’s IPC Status |
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Ren Ci’s IPC status expires on 27 November
2007. In view of the ongoing Inquiry, IPC status will not be renewed for
the time being. Donations made by members of the public to Ren Ci after
27 November 2007 will not be tax-deductible. Pending the outcome of the
Inquiry, MOH will evaluate when Ren Ci can apply to reinstate its IPC
status. |
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Ren Ci’s Services will Continue |
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MOH will continue to subsidise Ren Ci’s
patient care services so that patients will continue to receive their
medical treatments. We recognize the good work of Ren Ci’s staff and we
are confident that the Ren Ci Board will ensure that professional
standards and services remain intact and the day-to-day operations in
Ren Ci carry on undisrupted. |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 7 Nov
2007 |
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MOH starts inquiry into Ren Ci
Hospital and Medicare Centre