S'pore student volunteers overnight at Sengkang General Hospital, draws praise for commitment

Since 2023, Justin Tan has spent his nights at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH).

But not as a patient or a visitor.

A student by day, Justin is a “Night Watcher” — a volunteer who supports nurses and patients throughout the night.

His work drew praise online after the hospital highlighted his role in a Nov. 16 Facebook post.

The Night Watcher

Like the name suggests, Justin has been working the night shift ever since he signed up for the role two years ago.

He starts work at 9pm and ends at 6am.

According to SKH, Justin's interest in healthcare began with medical dramas.

But he wanted to understand what the work truly entails, which led him to sign up as a Night Watcher.

This is a volunteer role that involves tasks such as helping with basic patient care, delivering lab samples, and keeping an eye on patient safety during the quieter hours.

Small human moments

Justin told SKH that what draws him back each night is not the medical tasks, but the human interactions and the way that the night-shift team has each other’s backs in challenging situations.

One case that left a deep impression on him was when he cared for an elderly patient, Mdm Tan, over several weeks.

As her condition worsened, he witnessed how the team worked to manage her pain while supporting her family through an emotionally difficult period.

He reflected:

"Even with limited resources, seeing how committed everyone was to her dignity — that's what healthcare really is."

Netizens' reaction

Comments on SKH’s Facebook post were largely positive, with many commending Justin’s maturity, compassion, and dedication.

Most expressed admiration that he continues to volunteer overnight despite being a student.

SKH also issued a call for like-minded people who are keen to step into the world of hospital volunteerism.

Mothership has reached out to SKH for more information.

Top images via SengkangGeneralHospital/Facebook