Physiotherapists play an integral part in Singapore’s healthcare landscape, especially within the Community Care sector. They help individuals regain mobility and manage pain, thereby enhancing their quality of life. Physiotherapists also establish long-term relationships with patients by offering tailored care that goes beyond clinical settings. As Singapore confronts the challenges of a rapidly ageing population, the need for skilled healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, has never been more critical.

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), in partnership with MOH Holdings (MOHH), offers the Community Care Scholarship to encourage individuals to join this sector. The scholarship aims to attract passionate individuals with the potential to lead and make a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

For Fares Aqil Bin Daniel Khalid, the scholarship aligned with his aspirations. Aqil is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physiotherapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

The Turning Point

Aqil’s journey into healthcare began at a young age. “When I was young, I was always curious about healthcare. My interest in health and the human body was sparked in secondary school when I was introduced to Biology,” he recalled. Aqil initially believed that becoming a doctor or dentist was the only way to contribute to the healthcare industry. However, this perspective shifted when he accompanied his late grandmother to her physiotherapy sessions, where he witnessed a different aspect of healthcare.

“I got to observe the exercises that she did and how the physiotherapist guided and cared for her,” Aqil shared. “I was deeply impressed by the pivotal role the physiotherapist played in my late grandmother’s recovery journey. His ability to establish a strong rapport with her, while maintaining a high level of professionalism, was remarkable.” Watching his grandmother’s progress sparked Aqil’s interest and admiration for the profession.

“I was heartened to see her smiling and actively engaged during the rehabilitation sessions, especially given that she had previously expressed reluctance and discomfort with other medical treatments,” he added.

Aqil’s interest in physiotherapy deepened during junior college, when he attended a career talk and learned about the various specialties within physiotherapy. He explained: “I had the opportunity to observe and learn about both acute and Community Care settings. Compared to the fast-paced environment in the acute setting, I preferred the latter where I could focus on my clients’ long-term care plans and establish a rapport with them, so that I can improve their overall quality of life.”

A Gateway to Growth

Determined to make a difference, Aqil applied for the Community Care Scholarship upon being offered a place at SIT. His decision was partly influenced by the financial support it provided.

“Considering how my two siblings and I would be enrolling into university at the same time, I decided to try looking for scholarships that I could apply for,” he said. Upon discovering the scholarship on the BrightSparks website, Aqil recognised it as an ideal fit for his aspirations.

The scholarship has been pivotal in Aqil’s development. “I attended an orientation programme with other newly inducted scholars, where we were all introduced to Singapore’s healthcare system,” he reflected.

These sessions provided valuable insights, allowing him to meet senior scholars and healthcare leaders. “It allowed us to seek advice on our careers as healthcare professionals,” he noted.

Aqil also highlighted the scholar-led Singapore Healthcare Society and its various initiatives, which included events such as a get-together dinner for all healthcare scholars, internship programmes, as well as Community Involvement Programmes and dialogue sessions with healthcare leaders. These not only offered valuable networking opportunities for Aqil, but also provided a refreshing change from academic routines, allowing him to engage in meaningful and enriching activities outside of his studies.

Through the scholarship, Aqil also gained international exposure to his field of study. Recently, he attended an Overseas Exposure Programme to Hong Kong, organised by SIT and hosted by its partner, Tung Wah College (TWC). He had tapped on the MOHH’s Scholar’s Development Fund (SDF) to cover his expenses for the trip.

The Overseas Exposure Programme gave him the opportunity to explore a wide range of educational, medical, and commercial platforms related to physiotherapy.

Aqil had the opportunity to tour TWC’s campus faciltiies and have a hands-on session to try different physiotherapy equipment. The programme also enabled him to visit rehabilitation complexes to observe how healthcare services are provided to various patient groups, such as the intellectually disabled, the elderly, and children and youth with diverse needs. In addition, Aqil attended sharing sessions with healthcare companies to hear about their latest software and medical device developments that help improve physiotherapy administration, and even gained access into Hong Kong Disneyland’s physiotherapy department, which was set up to provide physiotherapy services for their cast members and performers.

“During my visit, I interacted with other physiotherapy students and got to see firsthand the differences in healthcare systems and physiotherapy practices as compared to Singapore,” he shared.

Dedicated to Patient-Centred Care

With a keen interest in neurological physiotherapy and a desire to help individuals overcome life-altering conditions, Aqil shared, “Many people may tend to feel that there’s minimal hope when it comes to neurological injuries. On the contrary, with proper rehabilitation, there are patients who can live more independently.”

He is eager to embark on clinical placements and apply his knowledge, and will be joining NTUC Health upon graduation. “I am looking forward to seeing how multidisciplinary care for patients would look like in the Community Care setting as compared to an acute setting,” he enthused.

With NTUC Health offering a mix of client profiles and home-based rehabilitation services, Aqil is excited to make a positive impact in the lives of those who face barriers to accessing treatment. “Helping and supporting patients in regaining independence, and enabling them to move more comfortably both within and beyond their homes, will be incredibly rewarding,” he elaborated.

Empowering Future Scholars

For those considering a similar path, Aqil offers this advice: “If you do feel passionate about serving the community, applying for this scholarship is worth a try! It offers a wide range of development opportunities for you, and the financial benefits it comes with will truly help to ease some burden off your shoulders.”

Aqil encourages students to strike a balance in their time management. “Plan your time wisely so that you would have sufficient time for revision and work, and always remember to spend time with your loved ones and engage in activities that you enjoy.”

He also emphasised the importance of mental health: “Always remember that there’s more to life than just studies. Your own mental health should still be a priority so try and approach your studies with balance and self-compassion.”

Reflecting on his support system, Aqil added: “Know that it’s okay to ask for help, be it from friends, family, professors or even our friendly MOHH scholarship officers.” His message to aspiring healthcare professionals is clear: with passion, dedication, and the right support, they can make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

For Aqil, the Community Care Scholarship is more than a stepping stone; it represents a commitment to serve his community and support others through their recovery journeys.

Drawing inspiration from his experiences, Aqil is ready to make his mark as a compassionate and skilled physiotherapist in Singapore’s Community Care sector.