Reaching Out And Touching Lives

Volunteerism and charity were not Dr Joyoki Chen’s interests. However, a personal tragedy and subsequent experiences led her to a path of selfdiscovery and sacrifice. She shares about her experience with REACH and the work she does with underprivileged communities in rural Sarawak.

- Dr Joslyn Ngu

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

According to people around me, I’m a happy-go-lucky person and I, too, would like to think of myself as such. As much as my work in REACH (Rural Expeditions Assisting Community Health) is inspiring, I do not think it makes me extraordinary – I’m still very much a normal person. When I’m not in the hospital, you can find me chilling at home, having a drink or two with my friends, shopping with my sister, playing with my dogs and cats, or just running errands. I also try to do my part in raising awareness on blood and organ donation, as I am a regular blood donor and a pledged organ donor.

What got you interested in joining REACH and motivated you to continue volunteering?

I first heard about REACH in 2015. At that time, I was a medical officer in the Emergency Department in a tertiary centre. I saw people from all walks of life and from different financial backgrounds. I had seen patients travel from afar, only to reach the hospital at 2am, after hours of travel. I couldn’t understand their plight, or maybe I refused to, because after working for a few years, I had grown weary and lost most of my empathy. My mother passed away before I graduated and the second death I witnessed during internship was a painful reminder of her demise. Therefore, I built a wall to barricade myself from most emotions.

When the opportunity sprung for me to go to Baram with REACH, I knew I had to take it. I needed the experience to help me be a better person and doctor.