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I resuscitated a passenger on a flight to Milan on Singapore Airlines (SIA) on 5 Nov 2025, and the story was recorded by several news agency. I was just doing my job as a medically trained doctor. I am surprised personally that it attracted so much media attention
 

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/doctor-desmond-wai-sq-flight-man-died-cpr-5453296

 

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/doctor-wai-chun-tao-desmond-shares-heartfelt-exchange-wife-passenger-died-sia-flight-milan-bound

 

https://mothership.sg/2025/11/passenger-dies-sia-doctor-cpr/

 

https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/11/12/singapore-airlines-tale-of-a-doctor-who-tried-to-save-man-in-flight/

 

https://mustsharenews.com/man-singapore-airlines-milan/

 

https://wakeup.sg/death-on-singapore-airlines-flight/

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/man-dies-on-singapore-airlines-flight-wife-thanks-doctor-who-tried-to-save-him-101762585706575.html

 

https://mothership.sg/2025/11/passenger-dies-sia-doctor-cpr/

 

https://mustsharenews.com/man-singapore-airlines-milan/

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/man-dies-on-singapore-airlines-flight-wife-thanks-doctor-who-tried-to-save-him-101762585706575.html

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/doctor-attempts-to-save-passenger-who-dies-mid-flight-on-singapore-airlines-my-ethical-duty-9603308

 

https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/health-news/doctor-attempts-to-save-passenger-who-dies-mid-flight-on-singapore-airlines-my-ethical-duty/ar-AA1Q5qny

 

https://mothership.sg/2025/11/passenger-dies-sia-doctor-cpr/

 

https://mustsharenews.com/man-singapore-airlines-milan/

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/man-dies-on-singapore-airlines-flight-wife-thanks-doctor-who-tried-to-save-him-101762585706575.html

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/doctor-attempts-to-save-passenger-who-dies-mid-flight-on-singapore-airlines-my-ethical-duty-9603308\

 

 
 
Commentary

Commentary

I contributed frequently on healthcare and other topics, featured in TODAY (www.todayonline.com), Straits Times (www.straitestimes.com) and Channelnewsaisa websites (www.channelnewsasia.com)



I spoke about proper ways for patients to complain. Patients can complain to Singapore Medical Council (SMC), Ministry of Health (MOH), or take up a civil suit against a doctor or hospital. Going to social media is NOT a good way

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-unhappy-patients-should-go-through-proper-channels-to-raise-complaints



I shared on covid19 vaccination, about how I decide if my 12 years old son should get his COVID-19 vaccination

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/voices/how-i-doctor-helped-my-12-year-old-son-decide-get-his-covid-19-vaccine-jab-5533991


I spoke about young doctors breaking bonds to go private. Young doctors should get themselves properly trained before leaving the public sector. 

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/commentary-young-doctors-price-breaking-bonds-could-be-higher-they-think-2448696


I spoke about proper consenting for operation or procedures. Consenting is a process, not a signature on a form. Singapore courts have asked doctors to follow the modified Montgomery principles in explaining the pros, cons, risks, benefits, and alternatives to patients when taking consents.

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/day-i-almost-did-not-get-patients-informed-consent-treatment


I shared what a youngster should know before applying for medicine at Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at National University of Singapore (NUS), Dukes Medical school at Singapore General Hospital, or Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). 

Life as a doctor is not as fantastic as many think

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/today/voices/want-study-medicine-and-be-doctor-in-singapore-heres-what-you-need-know-4877926


I shared how I managed a pregnant patient with a gastrointestinal emergency during COVID-19 pandemic period. It was a scary time when there were so many restrictions. Fortunately, both mother and child turned out well and healthy.

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/commentary-pregnant-patient-needs-emergency-care-hospitals-are-full-my-experience-treating-her-1911301


I shared about the difficulties and economic hardships of running a private medical practice, as in the case of SIAMH whereby they were loss making due to various reasons

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-siamhs-woes-reflect-hardships-of-many-private-medical-practitioners


I shared what our medical school did not teach us to handle relatives of patients. I shared my experience on handling patients’ relatives in respectable and professional manners

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/doctors-need-better-training-managing-patients-relatives


I wrote to Straits Times Forum to share that private practice should compete on quality of medical care, rather than competing on prices

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-clinics-should-compete-on-quality-of-care


I was interviewed by the press about the hepatitis C outbreaks at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) back in 2015. Most people have forgotten the matter. But as a hepatologist, that was quite an experience

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/doctors-shock-over-news-hepatitis-c-infection-sgh


I shared issues, mainly logistic ones, that MOH should settle when they impose circuit breakers during COVID-19 pandemic

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/medical-care-covid-19-circuit-breaker-measures-3-issues-moh-doctor


I shared my thoughts on work-life balance among junior doctors. Letting them have an easy life when they just graduated may not serve them well

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/time-stop-working-junior-doctors-so-hard


I was interviewed on my thoughts on the National Electronic Health Records (NEHR). Its going to be put into law in 2026. The interview was made back in 2018

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/doctors-raise-concerns-again-over-national-e-records-system-after-data-breach-singhealth


This was an old article in 2021, when I shared my thoughts on choosing the right integrated shield plan (IP) for patients.

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/how-choose-integrated-shield-plan-insurer


I wrote to the Straits Times Forum to share my thoughts on various IP insurers’ results. Interestingly, those who made money are those that were graded well by specialists

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-ip-providers-should-serve-clients-well-to-grow-their-business


This was an old letter to Forum at Straits Times when I shared the dangers of punishing doctors for good deeds, as in the case of the psychiatrist, Dr Soo Shuenn Chiang, at the National University Hospital (NUH). Fortunately, the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) reversed its own verdicts after my letter was published

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/why-singapore-medical-councils-ruling-against-nuh-psychiatrist-troubling


I shared about shortage of nurses when COVID-19 pandemic was just over. Our nurses, especially the foreign ones, were leaving Singapore for greener pastures elsewhere. I gave some suggestions in the report

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/commentary-creative-solutions-needed-tackle-manpower-shortage-healthcare-1976271


I wrote to TODAY paper in a commentary, to praise MOH for forming a special committee to amend the faulty disciplinary process by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC)

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/deter-frivolous-complaints-against-doctors-or-risk-spiralling-healthcare-costs


This was a landmark case of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) whereby a surgeon was fined S$100,000 for causing a minor complication. I shared the unintended consequences of such verdict. Fortunately, SMC reversed its verdict later on

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/surgeon-fined-not-warning-patient-injection-side-effects-ruling-troubling-more-ways-one


I shared my observation that in some vending machines, water costs more than sugary drinks. I am glad that the authorities have taken note and nowadays, water usually less than any soft drinks

https://www.todayonline.com/voices/how-can-we-fight-diabetes-if-water-costs-more-sugary-drinks


I shared my feelings as a parent, when my son took public transport on his own for the first time. Its something that every parent will experience.

https:/a/www.todayonline.com/commentary/what-i-learned-letting-my-son-take-public-transport-his-own-first-time


I shared my thoughts as a parent, when I sent my boy for tuition when  he was in primary 3

https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/why-parents-turn-tuition-their-kids


I was interviewed by TODAY newspaper about the recovery of then deputy Prime Minister, Mr Heng Swee Kiat, after a stroke. Its nothing short of spectacular. God Bless Singapore

https://www.todayonline.com/doctors-impressed-mr-heng-swee-keats-spectacular-recovery

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Straits Times

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16 Jul 2011 Fend off liver cancer - a nice kopi may help

27 May 2010 Love your Liver

 

NEXT Magazine

Jun 2012 Is your liver fatty? (p.30-32)

Mar 2012 Guard against GERD (p.36-38)

Aug 2011 Screening your Colon (p.32-35)

 
 
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9 Jul 2012 劝人戒酒,用CAGE法

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Lian He Zao Bao 联合早报

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10 jan 2017 控制脂肪肝五大高危因素 

25 Feb 2016 胃出血该不该做内窥镜检查?

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13 Nov 2014 胆导管結石是怎回事

21 Jun 2012 赢得江山,输掉健康

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8 Dec 2010 肝病患者 - 咖啡该不该喝?

29 Jul 2009 肝脏移植

14 May 2009 病从口入,别进口寄生虫

29 Jan 2009 治疗脂肪肝, 运动饮食更有效

 

Lian He Wan Bao 联合晚报

4 Dec 2014 女公关患罕见病经常‘开不了口’

24 Apr 2009 吃火锅时应用公筷

 

Xin Ming Ri Bao 新明日报

22 Nov 2015 捐肝救8月婴出问题,慈母上网求人捐肝

14 May 2012 C型肝炎检验程阳性, 少妇亰疑丈夫不忠

10 Nov 2011 误吞4公分鱼骨, 阿伯肠穿孔

12 Oct 2011 减肥新方法 - 胃绕道手术

11 Jul 2011 病人吃药不慎,连包装纸吃下

18 Nov 2010 喝碱性水更健康?

12 Sep 2010 新鲜出炉面包, 吃了导致涨气

17 Sep 2009 捐肝救人

 

My Paper

15 Feb 2012 声音沙哑要注意,或是患酸倒流

22 Feb 2012 疲倦水肿皮肤黄,小心肝脏已生病

 

Body SOS 小毛病大问题 12 Oct 2018 https://video.toggle.sg/en/series/body-sos-s7-7/ep19/642011

 BODY AND SOUL Episode 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUCyU-NqVQo

Body SOS 小毛病大问题 15 Mar 2019 Ep35

https://www.mewatch.sg/en/series/body-sos-s7-7/ep35/761285?fbclid=IwAR1ADmVYCfdCabU8NmrL-33gGgLp3Z0bxFmtRAYz2HZtobxoCRdyUT4XrII?fbclid=IwAR1ADmVYCfdCabU8NmrL-33gGgLp3Z0bxFmtRAYz2HZtobxoCRdyUT4XrII