SC/CPL Ramesh S/O Nagandran leverages his passion for healthcare and sharp communication skills to make a meaningful impact as a hospital volunteer.
For SC/CPL Ramesh S/O Nagandran, balancing the rigours of National Service (NS) with a passion for giving back allows him to discover a deeper sense of purpose as he makes a tangible impact on the lives of others.
A Staff Assistant (Service Delivery & Public Affairs) in the NS Policy and Planning Division in the Police National Service Department (PNSD), Ramesh also dedicates his Saturdays to volunteering at the hospital. His responsibilities include monitoring patients’ blood pressure and acting as a liaison between doctors and nurses.
In one memorable instance, he had to address a patient who came in for knee pain but had an abnormally high blood pressure reading that was far more urgent to treat. “The patient felt dissatisfied that the knee pain wasn’t given enough attention, but in healthcare, we must prioritise the more pressing concerns,” recounts Ramesh.
When patients are anxious or distressed, Ramesh first validates their feelings. He then calmly explains the medical team’s rationale for the recommended treatment options. Building on the communication skills that he developed during his NS, he ensures patients feel cared for and understood.
Ramesh’s passion for helping others began during his school years, where he actively participated in various volunteer programmes both in school and through community initiatives. During NS, he decided to volunteer at the hospital, inspired by his interest in healthcare and his aspirations for a future career in the field.
As a Staff Assistant, Ramesh’s duties include preparing events and meetings, doing write-ups and managing queries from NSmen and the public. He is also part of the NS Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) Taskforce. “I enjoy my work as I get to interact with different stakeholders,” he says. “The part that I find most fulfilling is assisting NSmen and members of the public, as I get to hear them out and help them with their problems or concerns.”
Just as his communication skills have proven invaluable during his volunteer work, Ramesh’s experiences giving back to society have also equipped him with valuable capabilities that enhance his contributions in his NS role. “The soft skills I’ve gained at the hospital — like empathy and compassion — are applicable when I deal with the service delivery aspect of my work.”
NS has also shaped Ramesh’s understanding of societal contributions. He recalls a poignant moment during a departmental corporate social responsibility visit to an elderly care centre when the Director of PNSD highlighted the pivotal role of Singapore’s older generation in shaping the nation’s present through their sacrifices and contributions. “I’m grateful for his remarks, which have given me more confidence that my contributions are meaningful and valuable. By contributing to the PNSD and the Singapore Police Force’s vision, I help to ensure Singapore is one of the safest places in the world,’ says Ramesh. “And through hospital volunteering, I am able to support patients, both young and old, and contribute positively to their well-being.”
This conviction motivated Ramesh to participate in engagement sessions with Minister of State organised for NSFs, where he shared his perspectives on healthcare affordability and financing — insights shaped by his hospital volunteering experiences.
He is eager to learn and contribute to discussions on societal issues, so that he can continue to make a positive impact: “Regardless if it’s an issue affecting the entire country or a single individual, I will try my best to assist within my capacity. The aim is to ensure that we Singaporeans move forward as one Singapore and ensure that no one is left behind on this journey.”
Volunteering, Ramesh notes, is as rewarding for the giver as it is for the recipient. Seeing patients recover — especially when conservative treatments succeed, and surgeries are avoided — brings him immense satisfaction. “It is always satisfying and heartening to witness patients’ conditions improve,” he says.
As an aspiring healthcare professional, Ramesh values the mentorship he receives from the medical team he volunteers with, and the opportunity to observe the collaboration required to ensure patient care and recovery.
For those considering volunteering, Ramesh recommends exploring causes that resonate and talking to current volunteers or organisations to understand how they can help. He adds that volunteers shouldn’t question their own ability to contribute or worry about long commitments. “Any level of contribution is valued. Their efforts go a long way in making a difference even within the scope of their personal capacity,” he says.
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