Going the extra mile to offer comfort to the sick and infirm

61 individuals and 16 teams lauded at Healthcare Humanity Awards

- Lee Li Ying

Mr John Loh, lead driver for Touch Community Services' medical escort and transport service team, was shocked and heartbroken to learn that an elderly man under his care had died by suicide.

Just a week before the man's death in 2019, Mr Loh had observed that the senior, who was in his 70s and lived alone, had been uncharacteristically quiet. But it did not cross his mind that the man would take his own life.

“Life felt so fragile. After that, I thought that I needed to encourage the seniors to join community activities so that they will have friends and support from one another… That's better than having them stay at home alone and thinking too much,” said Mr Loh, 59.

To reach out to lonely seniors he knows, Mr Loh makes it a point to invite them to join him during his lunch break at a coffee shop near the Touch Community Services office.