Establishing a Preventive Health Network with Our Food Farmacy and Community Dental Centre

In the presence of grassroots leaders, community partners, Tzu Chi volunteers, and residents of the Yio Chu Kang community, Member of Parliament for Yio Chu Kang Single Member Constituency Mr Yip Hon Weng (third from left) unveiled the Tzu Chi Food Farmacy. From left to right: Cheong Heng Chuan, Yio Chu Kang Community Club Management Committee Chairman, and Chua Wee Meng Eric, Vice Chairman of the Yio Chu Kang Citizens’ Consultative Committee. Fourth from right is Yan Shu Yuan, Board Secretary of Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore).

On 27 October 2024, coinciding with the “Healthier & Sustainable Yio Chu Kang” event were the grand openings of the Tzu Chi Food Farmacy and Tzu Chi Community Dental Centre, located at Block 121 Ang Mo Kio. Member of Parliament for Yio Chu Kang SMC Mr Yip Hon Weng presided over the inauguration. Both establishments are set to cater to the diverse health needs of residents in the neighbourhood. Also, this marks the expansion of Tzu Chi’s healthcare network from the island’s southwest to the northeast region.

As the first establishment in Singapore to advocate the concept of “Food as Medicine,” Tzu Chi Food Farmacy promotes an evidence-based Whole Food Plant-based (WFPB) diet. It regularly conducts cooking classes and health-related talks. Relocated from Redhill, the Tzu Chi Community Dental Centre will continue providing free dental care to underprivileged families and seniors, as well as offer home visits for residents in nursing homes or those with mobility challenges. Safeguarding the oral health of vulnerable communities remains its mission.

The Tzu Chi Food Farmacy organised an open house after the official launch, attracting potential participants who eagerly enquired for more details.

Co-creating a Preventive Health Network

"Would you like to try our all-natural cassava cakes?"
"They are a healthier version of pizzas!"

After the opening ceremony, volunteers warmly invited residents to sample the delicate treats made with natural ingredients.

Located about a kilometre from Ang Mo Kio MRT station, and two kilometres from Yio Chu Kang MRT station, the newly established Food Farmacy boasts a well-equipped communal kitchen, with soothing wood tones creating a homely atmosphere. It aims to use food as therapy to address prevalent chronic conditions.

Tzu Chi Food Farmacy is Singapore’s first food farmacy advocating the concept of “Food as Medicine”. The centre regularly holds reasonably priced cooking classes centred on plant-based meals as well as free health and nutrition classes. Also, the centre is planning to facilitate the distribution of wholefoods and health coaching sessions next year.

The concept of food farmacy is not new overseas. The portmanteau combines “farm” and “pharmacy,” highlighting the role of food as medicine. Additionally, Tzu Chi Food Farmacy promotes a WFPB diet that supports health, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.

MP Yip Hon Weng first visited Food Farmacy and even donned gloves to try making plant-based satay. He remarked, “Food Farmacy helps our residents to get equipped with good knowledge and good know-how and good practices.”

He highlighted that the proportion of residents aged 65 and above in the Yio Chu Kang estate is as high as 30 to 40 per cent, and they each have varying medical and health needs. He noted that the services provided in tandem by Food Farmacy and Community Dental Centre align closely with the Ministry of Health's long-term Healthier SG initiative, which has moved towards preventive health.

Food Farmacy was established with the support of MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT). Dr Tan Weng Mooi, Director, Integrated Health Promotion, MOHT, shared that the involvement and dedication of Tzu Chi volunteers in reaching out to the community and promoting health awareness has left a deep impression on her.

Additionally, Dr Tan said that Food Farmacy has shown residents that preparing plant-based meals can be simple and accessible, dispelling the notion that a meatless diet is difficult to adapt to. By making it simple for residents to learn about healthy eating, Food Farmacy makes adopting healthy eating habits an easy choice.

MOHT supports the development of community-led healthcare initiatives. Partnering community organisations such as Tzu Chi enables MOHT to create synergies that enhance the overall health of the nation.

After the opening ceremony, MP Yip Hon Weng (second from left) visited Food Farmacy, and was accompanied by Tzu Chi Board Secretary Yan Shu Yuan (third from left) and Chef Joyce Goh (first from left).

“Food as Medicine” for Youths and Elderly Residents

On launch day itself, Food Farmacy hosted a Q&A game regarding the Rainbow Diet, a tasting experience, and even had an Instagrammable spot for visitors. The Q&A game and tasting experience showcased the use of wholefoods to prepare delicious and healthy meals. Visitors expressed that these activities not only enriched their health knowledge but also sparked their interest in adopting a healthy plant-based diet.

Lim Yee Wee, who works in the mental health industry, came specifically after learning about the event on Instagram. Impressed by Food Farmacy’s mission, he remarked, “I'm so excited. This place has broadened my perspective, and I’m eager to learn how to make my meals taste amazing while using minimal flavouring and without adding oil.”

Lim also hopes that more young adults and youths will visit Food Farmacy, build connections, and explore how to eat healthily together.

A specialist working in the mental health industry, Lim Yee Wee (right) learnt about the event on Instagram and enthusiastically shared how food and nutrition are correlated to mental health.

Since its soft launch in August, Food Farmacy has hosted about eight health-related talks and 15 plant-based cooking classes every month. As of October, approximately 560 people have attended the talks, and around 390 participants have registered for the cooking classes. Wu Heng Swee is one of the participants; despite living in Choa Chu Kang, he has attended 10 classes and signed up for 10 more.

Wu shared that he had undergone two major surgeries due to cholesterol buildup and cardiovascular blockages in the past three years. However, he attended Food Farmacy’s classes upon a friend’s recommendation. Since applying the knowledge to his everyday cooking, he realised that his health improved afterwards: not only did he have a successful weight loss journey but his energy levels also improved.

Wu remarked, “I enjoy vegetarian food, but in the past, without the right guidance, it was easy to eat unhealthily. The chefs here teach us how to make a variety of dishes like curry, pizza and mushroom soup, which are delicious and not bland at all.” Now, he and his wife choose a WFPB diet for nearly every meal, and even their daughter has joined in, making preventive health a family practice.

At the "Healthier & Sustainable Yio Chu Kang" event, residents enjoyed a variety of activities and stood a chance to win goodie packs after collecting all the stamps at the designated locations.

Tzu Chi Community Dental Centre: Well-equipped to Safeguard the Oral Health of the Vulnerable

Adjacent to Food Farmacy is the newly relocated Community Dental Centre. Although spanning just 130 square metres, the centre is well-equipped, providing a range of free basic dental services specifically for vulnerable groups as well as home dental services to cater to those with mobility issues.

The centre is expected to be operational in mid-November. Dr Koh Tieh Leong, a representative of Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) Singapore, shared that the open house held on 27 October 2024 attracted dozens of nearby residents eager to learn about the services offered. Most visitors were seniors, with many asking about denture services. As the centre is not yet officially in operation, the TIMA volunteers shared more about the services and urged them to make appointments first.

Besides treatments, the centre also focuses on preventive care. The staff and volunteers will educate patients on proper brushing and flossing techniques, conduct routine oral exams to monitor oral health, and aim to detect dental issues early on. Other preventive care initiatives also include fluoride treatments to strengthen teeth and prevent decay.

The centre is also equipped with a panoramic dental X-ray machine, which can identify cavities, bone issues (such as loss due to gum disease), and impacted teeth or infections in the roots or surrounding bones. On-site treatments include scaling and polishing to remove plaque and tartar, simple fillings for minor cavities, simple extractions, and basic denture services.

Additionally, the centre will collaborate with nursing homes such as Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital to provide free on-site dental care. A team of staff and volunteers will also train nursing home caregivers, imparting relevant knowledge and skills.

Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) established Tzu Chi Free Clinic (Singapore) in Chinatown in 2004, which was the first local clinic to offer free dental services to underserved groups. Over the past two decades, it has moved from Chinatown to Redhill and now to its new location in Ang Mo Kio.

Dr Koh Tieh Leong (from left), a representative of TIMA Singapore dental group, along with Dr Eugene Tang Kok Weng, TIMA dental coordinator, introduced MP Yip Hon Weng to the portable dental equipment designed for off-site services.

Touring the spacious treatment rooms, which can accommodate wheelchair users and patients with special needs, MP Yip Hon Weng commended, “Having this centre located very conveniently in the HDB void deck will be very beneficial to residents with mobility issues. They can simply come down from their flats, learn something and seek services here.”

Yip also hopes that social service providers will strengthen their collaborations to provide a diverse range of services to residents in the area. He noted that while some organisations focus on elder care and others specialise in dementia support, he envisions these groups working together to offer more comprehensive support for Yio Chu Kang’s residents.

Dr Edwin Lim, Head of Tzu Chi Medical Development Division, expressed his hope that the Community Dental Centre will provide free dental services to vulnerable families and elderly residents in the vicinity. Beyond fundamental healthcare, he aims to deepen community ties, encouraging more dentists and volunteers to join in and form a new circle of dedicated professionals.

In the face of Singapore’s ageing population and rising healthcare costs, the proverb “prevention is better than cure” is even more relevant. Dr Lim opined that Food Farmacy’s message of “Food as Medicine” and “food sustainability principles represent a new approach in Tzu Chi’s medical mission, emphasising food as a key contributor in prevention and treatment. He hopes Food Farmacy will fill the gap in public knowledge on healthy eating.

Dr Lim added, “Our new Community Dental Centre and Food Farmacy provide us with new avenues and new strength to safeguard health and life with love, which is Tzu Chi’s medical mission motto.”

A group photo was taken with representatives from Tzu Chi and Yio Chu Kang grassroots organisations, including Head of Tzu Chi Medical Development Division Dr Edwin Lim (from right), Tzu Chi Deputy CEO Keng Lim, Tzu Chi Board Secretary Yan Shu Yuan, MP Yip Hon Weng, Dr Eugene Tang Kok Weng, as well as Chairman of Yio Chu Kang Community Club Management Committee Cheong Heng Chuan, and Vice-chairman of Yio Chu Kang Citizens' Consultative Committee Chua Wee Meng Eric.

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