Dr Uma Rajan
IHFS EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION
Independent Consultant
HealthCare & Indian Arts, Culture & Heritage
A doctor father, a well-known violinist mother, a doctor brother, a teacher cum well known singer sister, naturally Uma Rajan took to Medicine and Arts. qualified as a doctor from the University of Singapore in 1965, specialized in Public Health and Community Medicine in 1971. Married an airline professional in 1965 and tragically lost him in 1977.
Mother of doctor daughter Rekha and lawyer son Sanjiv both of whom are married ( daughter in law Sangita and son in law Harish) and now a loving grandmother to Taran and Misha.
In 1949 aged 9 years Uma went to Madras (today’s Chennai) in pursuit of an academic education in a convent, and intensive training in classical Indian music and dance. She graduated in BharathaNatyam in 1954 with her Arangetram the solo debut performance and returned to Singapore, aged 15, to continue with her education. Subsequently Uma forged herself a career in the field of health care side by side with her love for arts and community services.
As Director of School Health Service (SHS) she streamlined the School Based Health Screening programmes and developed various General and Specialist Clinic Services for school children. She spearheaded research on various health problems of school children eg – Obesity , Myopia, Scoliosis, etc. and published numerous articles and presented her work at many conferences both in Singapore and overseas. Initiated the SHS computerisation system and placed it on the national and international IT frame. She is well known and respected for her efficiency and thorough work.
As Director, Elder Care in later years of her career ahe collaborated with charitable organizations to set up Nursing Homes amd Day Care Centres. On her retirement from MOH in 2000 she joined a Buddhist VWO nursing home as its Executive Director and retired in 2008 to be a freelance consultant.
She pursued her love for arts with deep passion and in 1991 and became one of the first 15 charter members of the newly-inaugurated National Arts Council (NAC).
She went on to successfully organised the Festivals of Asian Performing Arts (FAPA) in 1993, 1995 and 1997 bringing various Asian Performing Arts to Singapore . Today, she continues to serve the NAC in various capacities and is also sought after by various arts groups for advice and support.
Not resting on her laurels, she ventured into publishing two books for charity. A “Life for Others”, a biography of the Buddhist Nun Ven Ho Yuan Hoe and a Celebrity Cookbook “Spice Potpourri” with recipes on favourite dishes of 16 Celebrities for President’s Challenge and SINDA. in 2012. This won the World Gourmand Awards – Best Indian Cuisine and Charity and Community Cookbook.
She was lauded by the Prime Minister in his National Day Rally speech in 2014 for her introduction of the student Health Booklet in 1980’s which documents their health status from childhood to Pre-U.
She is a recipient of more than 50 National and Community Awards for her contribution to Health Care, The Arts and Community Services. It includes the 2011 National Day Honours – the Public Service Star Award – BBM and the Community Service Champion Award in 2015. She continues to receive awards for her community service in various sectors.
Conservative and traditional yet modern in outlook, the very active Joo Chiat grassroots leader relates to all, regardless of age, race, or religion and is a shining example of ageing gracefully. Age and retirement are no barriers to the 84 year old culturally refined doctor who continues to sit on various Government, arts and community organizations.
Dr Rajan epitomizes a woman of substance, an inspiration for many. Highly-respected doctor with a successful career in health care, equally accomplished in performing arts, involved passionately in community service and yet putting family first.