NKF CEO terminated for ‘personal indiscretion’: reports
Photo: NKF Singapore Facebook page
National Kidney Foundation (NKF) chief executive Edmund Kwok has been axed for a ‘personal indiscretion’, effective Monday (14 November), according to media reports.
In a press release, the NKF assured stakeholders that Kwok’s personal indiscretion “has nothing to do with the stewardship of our finances”.
It added, “Our operations are not affected by this matter and our services
to patients and beneficiaries continue as per normal.“
A three-member executive committee appointed by the board will take on Kwok’s responsibilities until next month, when former CEO Eunice Tay returns as interim CEO. Meanwhile, the search for a new CEO will commence shortly.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health said that it has been informed of Kwok’s termination, and will work with NKF to ensure that services to patients are not disrupted.
Kwok, who became CEO in 2013, previously served as the NKF’s chief operating officer under Tay. In his previous roles, he was vice-president of oncology at Parkway Healthcare and was also a director at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health.
Tay herself became NKF CEO in 2006 in the wake of a leadership reshuffle, when the entire board resigned in 2005 following the T. T. Durai saga.
Durai, another former CEO, had sued Singapore Press Holdings for defamation for a 2004 article entitled “The NKF: Controversially ahead of its time?”
During the trial, it emerged that Durai had a monthly salary of $25,000. He also admitted to using NKF funds to maintain his personal car and to travel on first-class flights.
