In today’s fast-paced world, health can often take a backseat. This makes prioritising health and preventive care more crucial than ever. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) plays a vital role in preventive health, aiming to empower Singaporeans to attain optimal health, increase their quality and years of life and prevent illness as well as premature death through health promotion and disease prevention programmes.

Lim Zhen, an Assistant Director in the Research and Development department at HPB, exemplifies this commitment. Her journey is both personally and professionally inspiring. With over nine years at HPB, she has taken on several roles within the organisation, contributing to a wide range of impactful programmes and initiatives. A recipient of the HPB Local Merit Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholarship in 2016 and the HPB Overseas Merit Staff Scholarship in 2023, she has gained a spectrum of experiences that enhance her ability to make an impact on public health. We spoke with her to gain insights into her remarkable journey.

What sparked your interest in health promotion?

My mother was diagnosed with cancer while I was still schooling. The news came as a shock to my family. Thankfully, her condition was detected early and successfully treated. Since then, my family has made a concerted effort to adopt healthy habits. We exercise more regularly, use healthier ingredients such as brown rice and reduce our intake of processed food. It made me realise the importance of taking care of our health and kindled my personal interest in health promotion.

What made you want to apply for a scholarship with HPB, and how has it impacted your personal and professional growth?

As an undergraduate, I was undecided about my career path. I chanced upon the HPB Local Merit Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholarship and felt it was a meaningful opportunity to pursue a role which was closely aligned with my personal interests. This scholarship exposed me to HPB’s work through internships during the school holidays, helping me build strong relationships with colleagues and transition smoothly into work life after graduation.

After graduating, I gained exposure to a wide range of work within HPB, including outreach to working adults and programme planning. I also had the opportunity to be seconded to the Ministry of Health, where I interacted with different stakeholders in the healthcare system and elevated my understanding of Singapore’s health landscape. The secondment also made me realise the need to deepen my knowledge and skills. With that in mind, I decided to pursue the HPB Overseas Merit Staff Scholarship and completed a Master of Science in Behaviour Change. This helped in enhancing my ability to design impactful health programmes and policies that can better motivate citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles.

What did you enjoy about studying abroad?

I was able to expand my global network and learn from international professionals who were actively applying behavioural science in their day-to-day work. This experience provided me with fresh insights and gave me the chance to spend time with my family, recharge, and contribute more effectively and meaningfully to the organisation upon my return.

Can you give us an overview of the work that you do at HPB?

I focus on developing health interventions and initiatives. My work involves project management and research and analysis of data to enhance HPB’s programmes.

What’s exciting is that I get the opportunity to design and trial new health initiatives, experimenting with different ideas and exploring how technology such as artificial intelligence and wearable devices can help Singaporeans attain better health.

What would you regard as your most significant achievement at work?

My most significant achievement was during the COVID-19 pandemic when HPB was managing the national swabbing operations. We had to develop processes, source for swabbing venues and manpower, and establish swabbing services under tight timelines.

I was directly involved in managing the end-to-end planning, including manpower deployment and lab supply management, for the regular swabbing of foreign workers living in dormitories across over 30 sites. It was a very stressful period for everyone, but I am very proud of how we collaborated with various internal and external stakeholders to support our nation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s inspiring! If you had to sum up the work culture at HPB in three words, what would they be and why?

I would describe the work culture in HPB as ‘collaborative’, ‘purpose-driven’ and ‘supportive’. The teams and divisions in HPB work well together to contribute to the success of our programmes and initiatives. Our work is very purpose-driven, and we are united in a collective aim to build a healthier Singapore. As an organisation, HPB is also one that looks after the personal development of staff.

On a lighter note, how do you unwind after work?

I usually spend time with my family and friends. My children are a source of joy as they often entertain me with their funny antics, a reminder that I also have to prioritise my family alongside my personal life and well-being.

What opportunities are there for those considering a career at HPB?

At HPB, you would have the opportunity to pursue different areas of work. If you prefer work of a more strategic nature, there are opportunities to be part of policy development or strategic planning. On the other hand, if you prefer something closer to the ground, you could be part of a team that reaches out to youths, working adults, or citizens in the community. There is something for everyone, especially if you have a keen interest in health!