Every day, healthcare professionals in Singapore step into roles that demand not just expertise, but immense compassion and resilience. Whether working directly with patients or behind the scenes, they share a steadfast commitment to helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. It is this collective dedication that keeps our healthcare system strong, responsive, and ready to meet evolving needs.

To ensure a steady pipeline of such dedicated professionals, MOH Holdings (MOHH) offers Healthcare Scholarships to nurture future leaders who will help shape a high-quality, accessible, and sustainable healthcare system in Singapore.

We meet two scholars—Royce Chua Wen Da and Ng Li An Jace—whose diverse yet intertwined journeys showcase the profound impact of a career in community care.

A Heart for Community Care

For Royce, an Assistant Manager at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), the desire to serve was sparked by a series of personal experiences. Reflecting on his adolescence, he shared: “I’ve had three encounters with Singapore’s healthcare system prior to my scholarship application—my under-the-knife experiences, my grandfather’s battle with dementia, and the early passing of my mum.”

While Royce graduated with Honours (Distinction) in Business from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), a deeper calling steered him towards healthcare. “I may not be a doctor who fights diseases or cures illnesses. However, I can still be a ‘doctor’ who addresses the pain points of the healthcare landscape through administration, an integral yet often overlooked role in our healthcare system,” he explained. This desire to make a tangible impact led him to apply for the MOHH–Healthcare Administration Scholarship (HAS), offered in collaboration with the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS).

Through the HAS, Royce embarked on his career in community care with AIC. His journey began with an internship at its Grants Division. There, he applied his data analytics skillsets from his business degree programme to make data-driven recommendations for improving grants administration.

After graduation, he joined AIC’s Emerging Talent Programme, which offered opportunities for attachments and job postings. Thus far, Royce has had the opportunity to gain ground exposure through senior outreach and engagement, and work closely with Community Care partners and stakeholders by supporting sector-wide planning and development initiatives. Each rotation deepened his understanding of how policy, data, and community engagement work together to support Singapore’s ageing population.

Today, Royce is in his second posting at AIC’s Manpower and Talent Division, where he helps build a sustainable manpower and talent pipeline for the Community Care sector. “I administer a long-term nurse retention incentive scheme designed to improve remuneration and retention of nurses,” he said. Through regular salary reviews and engagement with stakeholders, Royce helps ensure that community care remains a competitive and fulfilling career choice.

At the heart of it all, it is the human stories that keep Royce inspired. Recalling a touching encounter during a senior outreach session, he shared: “I once asked a widowed lady with no children what made her happy. She replied that speaking to me made her happy—she even looked forward to our yearly visits.” Such moments reaffirm his commitment to the Community Care sector, to enable our people to live well and age gracefully.

Looking ahead, Royce hopes to continue strengthening the manpower and talent pipeline in the Community Care sector. “I hope that these ongoing efforts can continue to attract a constant stream of good talents to seek careers in the healthcare ecosystem, especially in community care, where the impact is likely to be greater and more far-reaching.”

Turning Setbacks Into Strengths

Like Royce, Jace Ng, a Physiotherapist at AWWA Therapy Hub, was drawn to healthcare through a personal experience. As an avid athlete, she never anticipated that a knee injury would spark a deeper purpose. “The turning point came when I underwent physiotherapy myself after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. Experiencing the recovery process firsthand made me appreciate how empowering a physiotherapist’s role can be,” she recalled.

Determined to help others regain independence and joy through movement, Jace pursued a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) – Trinity College Dublin. She graduated with the highest distinction and earned multiple awards, including the prestigious The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal.

The Community Care Scholarship (CCS) offered her a path to put that passion into practice. “As new medical conditions and chronic comorbidities may emerge with age, they can affect the physical abilities and confidence of seniors to do things they love,” she elaborated. Through physiotherapy, she saw an opportunity to support seniors in regaining strength, independence, and a sense of belonging through community participation.

The scholarship also played a key role in her professional growth. “The CCS has provided me with opportunities to expand my horizons through courses and conferences, as well as interactions with peers, seniors, and key stakeholders in the Community Care sector,” she reflected. “On top of honing my expertise, it has allowed me to connect and build a deeper understanding of the needs of our seniors and work towards a higher quality of care for all.”

In her current posting at Ren Ci Community Hospital, Jace enjoys building meaningful connections with patients. “One of the greatest joys of working in the community setting is the consistent contact time with patients and clients,” she shared. “The most fulfilling part of my job is witnessing their improvements over time and being able to discharge them in a significantly better state than when we first met.”

Interdisciplinary teamwork lies at the heart of Jace’s approach. She recounted a memorable case where doctors, nurses and occupational therapists collaborated to support a visually impaired elderly patient after surgery. Learning from them, she also strives to address both the physical and emotional needs of her clients, embracing a holistic approach to physiotherapy.

As she looks to the future, Jace hopes to champion the growth of physiotherapy in the Community Care sector. “I aspire to continue my journey in physiotherapy, whether through clinical work or in a future leadership role,” she said. She is also excited about the integration of new rehabilitation technologies and active ageing initiatives.

Guiding Future Changemakers in Community Care

Both Royce and Jace have invaluable advice for aspiring healthcare scholars. Having rotated across roles, Royce has seen how each contributes to a stronger Community Care system. He encourages future scholars to stay open and adaptable as they explore the breadth of opportunities in healthcare. “There are ample opportunities to grow and develop with options to shape your career within the healthcare landscape,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of passion and resilience: “A career in the Community Care sector may not be the most glamorous and easy path, but it is definitely a rewarding one.”

Meanwhile, Jace highlighted the value of an inquisitive spirit and a heart to serve. “There is always more to learn and new skills to acquire to enhance holistic care. When your clients become the centre of your ‘why’, the challenges feel less daunting—and the wins, no matter how small, feel all the more rewarding,” she advised.

Their journeys exemplify that a career in Singapore’s Community Care sector, fuelled by compassion and purpose, offers not just professional fulfilment, but also the chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of many.