WHAT WE DO
HealthServe’s programmes are run by a small team of dedicated staff and supported by a wide network of professional volunteers, educational institutions, corporations and community organisations.
OUR WORK
Healthcare
Healthcare is the heartbeat of HealthServe. Each year, thousands of migrant workers walk through our clinic doors. Our clinics in Geylang, Jurong, and Mandai offer subsidized health services to injured migrant workers not receiving health assistance from their employers.
We offer general medical services as well as dermatology, orthopaedic, occupational and physical therapy, and dental services. Click here to find out more about our clinic hours, locations, and services offered.
In addition to our clinics, we run a mobile health screening clinic at various dorms throughout the island annually.
Please note, our dental services are available only to migrant construction workers.
Casework & Counselling
Casework: HealthServe provides casework and legal support to migrant workers with work injury claims and legal, criminal or employment-related issues. Each year, we assist on hundreds of cases. Our social workers follow up on their cases closely, even accompanying workers to the hospital for their checkups and medical assessments. With the help of the Ministry of Manpower, hospitals, pro bono lawyers and other community organisations, we are working towards creating a Singapore where everyone is treated fairly.
Counselling: An injured worker in the middle of a dispute with his employer faces tremendous psycho-emotional stress as he struggles to cope with the uncertain outcome of his case. Our trained volunteer counselors provide weekly mental and emotional support to these workers.
Social Assistance
For many workers, the waiting period for work injury compensation or resolution of the dispute may last several months to more than a year. During this period, workers on Special Passes are not allowed to work and receive no income. It can be difficult for them to afford daily necessities such as food and lodging. To meet these needs, HealthServe offers a variety of social assistance programs to these unemployed migrant workers, including free meals, subsidized transport, an emergency shelter, and an emergency fund.
Events & Outreach
We aim to build a community where migrant workers feel accepted and supported. We partner with community organizations, corporations, and churches to host community events for our migrant workers. From outings to Sentosa to a fun and meaningful celebration of Father’s Day, these events never fail to help relax and put a smile on the workers’ faces.
To build the migrants’ skills as they wait for the outcome of their cases, our volunteers run weekly English and computer classes at our Tai Seng Centre. The Tai Seng Center, open Monday to Friday, is a safe community for migrants to relax, learn and grow together.
Each week, we reach out to migrant workers in their dormitories to befriend them and inform them of their rights and the resources available to them.
Education, Research & Advocacy
Education, research and advocacy help us to support our migrants better through raising awareness and increasing understanding of the problems and issues they face. Our research informs our advocacy efforts. We welcome academics, researchers, and students to conduct research projects in collaboration with HealthServe.
HealthServe hosts a number of interns from schools in Singapore and abroad. We also run a selective course through NUS Yong Lin Loo School of Medicine.
Research Papers, Publications, and Resources:
- “Six Weeks at HealthServe” by Sarah Tan Yingli & Kai Yuan Tey (2018). This report was published in Vector, the Australian Medical Students’ Association’s official global health journal.
- “Healthcare-seeking behaviour, barriers and mental health of non-domestic migrant workers in Singapore” by Jia Wei Ang, Colin Chia, Calvin J Koh, Brandon W B Chua, Shyamala Narayanaswamy, Limin Wijaya, Lai Gwen Chan, Wei Leong Goh, Shawn Vasoo (2017)
- “健康是本钱: health is my capital: a qualitative study of access to healthcare by Chinese migrants in Singapore” by Wai Jia Tam, Wei Leong Goh, Jeffrey Chua and Helena Legido-Quigley (2017)
- “Practical Advice for Doctors Treating Foreign Workers” by Dr Joanna Chan and Dr Dennis Chia (2017)
- “Food Insecurity and Health of Bangladeshi Workers in Singapore: A Culture-Centered Study” by Mohan J. Dutta (2015)
- “Risky Business: Death & Injury on Singapore’s Construction Sites” by Stephanie Chok (2014)
- “Health-Seeking Behaviour of Male Foreign Migrant Workers Living in a Dormitory in Singapore” by Weixian Lee et al (2014)
- “Healthcare Seeking Behavior of Migrant Workers in Singapore” by Ashvin S/O Vardza Raju et al (2013)
- “Trading off Health for Wealth: Assessing the Health and Vulnerability of Low Wage Foreign Workers to HIV/STD Infection in Singapore” by Peter Hsu and Ranajit Dastidar (2009)