@haresh.singaraju

When bedtime questions from kiddo trigger deep thoughts…

𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 I had the opportunity to share a few of my thoughts with Lianhe Zaobao after this year’s National Day Parade. Looking back, one feeling still stands out. Some moments are difficult to explain until you experience them in person. Singing the National Anthem with thousands of fellow Singaporeans, hearing the Pledge spoken as one, and watching young performers give their all on the field brought back memories of my own days as a student performer. I know how much effort happens behind the scenes, and how the friendships formed often outlast the performance itself. What stayed with me most was the quiet reminder that Singapore is not only built through policies and plans, but also through the small acts of commitment repeated across generations. Every generation inherits this country from the one before it, and leaves it for the next. A little throwback to a day that gave me goosebumps all over again. #NDP2026 #SG61

𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞. For a long time, I felt like I was falling behind. Friends were moving ahead in their specialisations. Others were getting married, applying for their BTOs and starting families. Meanwhile, I was still figuring out my path. My family had their fair worries about my future. But, looking back, I'm glad I took my time. Life didn't happen one milestone after another. My 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, and every fall taught me something I needed for the next step. Today, I realise we often feel "behind" 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 our lives with someone else's timeline. But remember, 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 "𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝", 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞? #GrowingUpInSG #Success #KeepGoing

College Mirror, thank you for the space to reflect on Family Medicine, leadership, and serving as a Nominated Member of Parliament. We discussed whole-person care and social prescribing, supporting healthcare professionals, building family-friendly workplaces, and whether the systems we create truly serve people and their families. We already see the whole person. All we need is an improved system that allows to act on what we see. I hope it offers something useful, whether you're in healthcare or simply care about how we build a healthier, more connected society. A special thanks to Dr Gabriel Gerard and the editorial team for a genuinely warm conversation. Catch full interview here.

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬? There was a time when adulthood seemed to come with a clear roadmap. Today, many young adults are navigating something very different, more uncertainty that comes with society’s expanding checklist of choices and opportunities. Success no longer looks the same for everyone, and perhaps that's okay. Maybe adulthood isn't about reaching milestones by a certain age. Maybe it's about making thoughtful decisions, staying true to your values, and finding your own path. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤? 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬.

I've been thinking about this lately. I feel like we've quietly changed what it means to be an adult. When I was growing up, the path was pretty clear. Finish school, get a job, get a B t o, get married, have kids. Life wasn't easy, but at least everyone knew what came next. Today, very different. When I talk to young adults in the clinic, at community events or dialogue sessions, I notice they're not asking what's the next step. They're asking, am I making the right choice? Should I switch jobs or stay? Can I even afford to move up? Should I settle down career first or family first? And how do I take care of my parents while I'm still figuring out my own life? And here's the thing. It's not that they lack ambition. It's the opposite. This generation thinks hard about their decisions. They care about their families, careers, money and future. They just have way more options than we ever did. And more options means more uncertainty. So maybe being an adult today isn't about ticking off society's checklist. Maybe it's about making good decisions when nothing is certain and staying true to the people who matter to you. There's no one timeline for a meaningful life. Perhaps that's something we should remind ourselves and our young people more often.

For years, an elderly patient came to see me for body pain. Painkillers never quite worked. As trust grew, she finally shared the real reason. Her husband had passed away, she was lonely, and the pain of grief and depression was overwhelming. She didn't need stronger medication. She needed support. We reached out to her children, connected her with an Active Ageing Centre and community psychological services. She found purpose, friendship, and slowly, her pain eased. Moments like these remind me that healing doesn't always happen in the clinic. Sometimes, it begins with family, community, and human connection. I shared this story, along with others from my journey in Family Medicine and healthcare leadership, in GovInsider's inaugural Young & Official report. Honoured to be featured, and even more grateful to be alongside inspiring colleagues Elizabeth Lee and Dr Michael Warren Lim. Read the full interview here: https://govinsider.asia/intl-en/article/dr-haresh-so-singaraju-head-queenstown-polyclinic-family-physician-associate-consultant-accredited-family-medicine-specialist-national-university-polyclinics-singapore.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 — 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟖 (𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞) 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭... As we come to the end of this series, I'd like to leave you with one thought. Be as kind to yourself as you are to the people you care for. If you're just beginning to struggle, talk to someone you trust. If you realise the pressures are becoming harder to manage, find out what support, grants and care services are available. Keep in mind - SupportGoWhere and the Agency for Integrated Care. And if you feel like you're reaching your limit, don't wait. Speak to your doctor, or a social worker. There is help at every stage of the journey. You don't have to wait until you're at a breaking point. Thank you for journeying with me through Quiet Pressures. Take care of yourself. The people who love you, need you well! #QuietPressures #MentalWellbeing #HelpIsOutThere #YouAreNotAlone #TakeCareOfYourself

Before we end this Quiet Pressures series, I would like to ask you one question. If someone you love came to you carrying exactly the same pressures that you're carrying today, what would you tell them? Would you tell them to keep everything to themselves, to ignore their health, to never ask for help? Probably not. So why do we expect that out of ourselves? Over the past few weeks, we've talked about recognising stress, understanding causes, respite care and knowing where to find support. The good news is that support exists in every stage of the journey. If you're just beginning to feel overwhelmed, please speak to someone you trust. If you start realising that the pressures are starting to affect your daily life, explore the grants, funding and care services that help lighten the load. Remember, we talked about support, go where? And the agency for Integrated Care. And if you feel like you're breaking, please don't wait. Speak to your family doctor or a social worker. Whatever stage you're at, you don't have to face it alone. Take care of yourself early. Ask for help. Someone is always there, including me.

Had the privilege to visit residents at a new gen nursing home. Singapore is doing a lot to help our elders age at home, in their own communities. That’s the right goal. But for some, staying at home is no longer possible. A fall too many. Dementia that becomes too much for a caregiver. Or simply having no caregiver at all. So the real question: Should moving into a nursing home mean leaving behind everything that makes a place feel like home? I visited Sree Narayana Mission’s (SNM) new nursing home at Riverwalk this week. Sunlight, gardens, shared spaces where people sit together instead of waiting alone. It felt less institution, more kampung. And staff who know their residents’ routines, not just their conditions. Nursing Homes have come under the spotlight lately. Community groups like SNM are carrying more and more of our ageing needs. The expertise and support in our public healthcare system should find its way to these community settings too. Ageing in place was never about the address. It’s about what surrounds the person. #aginginplace

𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒 — 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟕 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 We've talked about noticing stress. Talking to loved ones. Support groups. All within reach. Now, which is the most appropriate assistance for you? Step one (helps you find support): Search SupportGoWhere. Use it to check: ✔️ grants ✔️ subsidies ✔️ financial assistance ✔️ government support schemes Grants like the Home Caregiving Grant and funds like Seniors mobility and Enabling funds exist. Step 2 (helps you find the right care) – AIC’s care coordinators will help you find the best solution: ✔️ home care ✔️ day care ✔️ respite care ✔️ caregiver training ✔️ longer-term care options Step 3 - Ask a human. If this is difficult to understand or even to fill out a form, visit your nearest Family Service Centre, or see your regular doctor. We will assess your situation and guide you appropriately. That's what we're here for. Knowing the difference can make getting help much easier. #QuietPressures #Helpisoutthere #Supportgowhere #AIC #SandwichGeneration

Families often don't know what is out there or where to start. Some have asked me about support, go where and a I C. Those are good starting points, but they do different things. Search support, go where. If you're wondering what financial assistance can I apply for? Is there a caregiver grant available? What subsidies or support schemes does my family qualify for? But if you're asking questions like my mom can no longer stay home alone, my dad has just been discharged from hospital, I'm tired and I need help caring for my loved one, then speak to E I C. With their help, you can arrange for alternative home or centre based care services. Now if these are difficult, speak to us, your regular doctor or social worker. That's part of our job. Knowing the difference between finding support and arranging care can save time, reduce uncertainty and help you get the right help earlier.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 - 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟔 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭? When caregivers hear "respite care," many picture something drastic: Sending a loved one away. Not quite. Respite can be as simple as: • a trained care worker at home for a few hours • a day care programme while you work or rest • a short stay at a nursing home when you need more support The point isn't to step away from someone you love. It's to stay well enough to keep caring for them. Most caregivers don't realise this exists until they're already exhausted. So if that's you or someone you know here's where to start: → SupportGoWhere (https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg) to find what fits and check what you qualify for → Agency for Integrated Care - AIC (aic.sg) to get connected to the right service. You're allowed to rest. That's part of caring too. #QuietPressures #Caregiving #SandwichGeneration #Support #RespiteCare

Respite care. When we hear this, we picture something drastic, sending a loved one away. It could just be a few hours so that we can rest, recuperate or even run errands. Sometimes a trained worker comes over to your home. Sometimes it could be a daycare programme, other times a short stay at a nursing home. Many don't learn about this until they're fully exhausted. This is not about abandoning your loved ones. It's about taking care of yourself so that you can keep caring. So take the first step. Go to support. Go where to find out what options there are and what you qualify for. And then go to a I C so they can connect you to the right service.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 - 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟓 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 Stress is rarely one thing. It’s usually several pressures stacking on each other and we treat the loudest one while the rest go unnamed. Name them all. Hit them all. #QuietPressures #MentalWellbeing #Caregiving #Burnout #Stress.

When a patient tells their stress is just work, it usually isn't. In primary care, we rarely see just one cause. We look through something called the biopsychosocial lens. Well, three things, our minds, our bodies and our social circumstances, such as work, family, money, people around us. What surprises people the most is this, stress rarely comes from just one place. It's a few pressures that are stacked onto each other. If we only address the ones at the top, we run the risk of missing those below. So let's take a step back, reflect and write down each and every pressure we are facing, not just the obvious ones. This will be the first honest look at everything troubling us. And if these are too much to handle alone, see a doctor, a counselor or a social worker to get the right help such that we can hit these pressures you're facing.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 Sometimes the hardest part is not recognising stress. It's accepting that you're carrying too much. Healthcare and social care professionals may use tools such as the Zarit Burden Interview to better understand how caregiving is affecting a person's well-being. Because support often begins with recognising the burden we carry. Swipe to learn more. #fyp #mentalwellbeing #caregiving #burnout #youarenotalone

12 years ago, once out of med school, it was time to choose our place of work. A professor then said choose a place that feels like Ohana (family). And I did. Having been recently named one of Singapore’s Best Employers 2026, she continues to live up to her name. I’m proud of every colleague in and out of this picture. The thousands of us who hold this place up. “Best” because someone covered our shift without a frown when our child was sick. Because our boss asked how we were doing with sincerity. That’s the bar. Let’s share the pearls for the greater good. #workplace #culture #wellbeing #harmony

I recently spoke to someone juggling work, caring for an elderly parent with cancer, and raising young children. During the conversation, the person suddenly broke down. Not because of one major event. But because everything had quietly piled up for too long. Many people are not just physically tired. They are mentally, emotionally, financially, and socially stretched too. Sometimes what people need first is not solutions. They need someone to genuinely listen. Healthcare and well-being cannot be separated from everyday life. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about burnout, caregiving stress, mental well-being, and support pathways for those who may need help. If this resonates, this series is for you. #caregiving #burnout #youarenotalone #health #healthcare

She had one goal: Whip me into shape with sheer love and tenacity. No resources. Just with the force of Motherhood. Thank you, love you and forever grateful, Ma! #mothersday

Most people think good medicine is about getting the diagnosis right and getting healed completely. Increasingly, it is also about getting the conversation, the team, and the ethics right. Over the past few weeks, I’ve taught in three very different rooms: medical students at Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, teamlets across National University Polyclinics, and primary care doctors through the College of Family Physicians Singapore. Different audiences, same underlying reality. Medicine today is deeply human work. How doctors communicate, how teams function, and how practitioners navigate ethical decisions all shape patient care. What struck me most was how clearly today’s practitioners and future practitioners already understand this. Collaboration is no longer optional. Neither is continual reflection and adaptation. Strong communication. Trusted teams. Clear ethical grounding. They are what hold modern healthcare together. #familymedicine #healthcare #teaching

Languages don’t survive by sentiment alone. They endure because people show up for them. Over the past month at the Tamil Language Festival, I saw that spirit of ஈடுபாடு (involvement) across cultural, community and youth spaces. One message was clear: Tamil is not standing still. It is evolving, connecting and inspiring. What stood out most was the next generation stepping forward, not just inheriting tradition, but shaping it in their own voice. That matters. For me, the reminder is simple: language begins at home. In how we speak to our children, and at work, where it becomes a bridge, making even healthcare more personal and human. The festival may have ended, but the work of keeping a language alive never does. #TLF2026 #Tamil #Languages

Tekka has been around longer than most of our HDB blocks. Now, it got a website! A proud new chapter for our iconic heritage site. tekka.sg gives traditional merchants, aunties, uncles and their families who've run stalls for decades, a way to reach more customers without losing what makes Tekka feel like Tekka. Its identity, culture, stories, spirit all embraced. "Tekka has always been our roots. Now, tekka.sg is our new route!" Congrats @kumaravelu1882 and team behind this meaningful initiative. #Tekka #LittleIndia #Heritage #Community #supportlocal

This is dangerous. The next generations will feel a heavy strain and a heavy heart unless we get the workplace on board. Certify them. Reward them. Make known who they are. The best will be attract the best. Otherwise, the generations to come will feel a heavier burden to support those who depend on them, and our Singaporean identity will be diluted. Made for Families! The motto every workplace must try to achieve. And let’s reward them because we will reap the long term benefits after all.

TikTok video #7624376017171402005