Dr Tan Cheng Bock closes clinic after 41 years

Doctor and former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock has closed the doors of his clinic after 41 years.

Writing on his Facebook page late Wednesday evening, Tan recalled that many people thought he was crazy when he first opened Ama Keng Clinic at a run down shophouse made of wooden planks and a zinc roof in 1971.

“But I love medicine and practicing in the rural environment was my idea of doctoring,” said the 72-year-old.

Named after the village along Lim Chu Kang Road, the clinic served mostly poor farmers who grew vegetables and other crops, and tended to chickens and pigs.

“It was obviously challenging as you had to manage the cases all by yourself as the nearest hospital was 28km away from the village,” he said.

Residents homes’ were attap huts and the roads were mud tracks with numerous pot holes. Making house calls meant crisscrossing those narrow trails, which got flooded when it rained. But villagers were helpful and once lifted his car out of a flooded ditch.

“The village children were incredible. I love them, full of fun and loved playing in the rain. The all love to carry my doctor’s bag,” he reminisced.

Tan, who was also a Member of Parliament from 1980 to 2006, said his medical fees were low yet as some patients could still not afford them they paid Tan in kind, such as eggs, vegetables and chickens. For even those who could not pay, he waived the fees.

“They were very grateful. Over the years the villagers and I developed a special bond that money cannot buy… a deep trust and respect,” he said.

Redevelopment of the area forced the residents and the doctor to resettle elsewhere.

Tan relocated to Teck Whye but continued to practice under the name Ama Keng Clinic. The clinic moved twice more before it settled in Jurong West where Tan practiced for another 15 years.

“My old patients from old Ama Keng and staying far away continue to see me. My oldest patient is more than 100 years old,” he said, adding that four generations of her family see him today.

“I have come to accept the fact that Ama Keng Clinic will finally close its door[s] on 22nd Nov. 2012. I want to thank all my patients for their faith in me,” he said.

Well-loved by many of his patients and constituents, Tan ran for president in the elections in 2011, getting the second highest number of votes, just very slightly less than what Tony Tan garnered.