Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.On average, how many patients does the SBFC treat every year?

Based on data from the past three years, an average of 220,000 patients had sought treatment at our clinic each year. Total patient visit is 800,000 times. Generally, a one-dollar fee, which covers registration, consultation and medicine cost, is collected per patient.

2.What are your clinic charges?

Senior citizens above the age of 60, bhikkus and bhikkunis of the Buddhist Sangha, as well as persons who are receiving social welfare assistance are exempted from payment. Currently, over 60 per cent of our patients are not charged any fee while less than 40 per cent are fee-paying patients.

3.Can you briefly describe your annual income and expenses?

Based on the data from the financial year ending March 2009, total income collected was $3,134,580 while expenses amounted to $3,230,666. There was thus a deficit of $303,515.

4.What is your staff strength? Can you give a breakdown by occupational roles and what is their remuneration?

A total of 78 persons are employed by the SBFC and they are deployed in the five clinics and one rehabilitation centre. The breakdown is as follows:

Administrative staff: 10 (in charge of administrative work, including human resource and accounts management)
Physicians: 21 (general practitioners and acupuncturists)
Clinic Supervisors: 5 (in charge of procurement, inventory management and managing clinic affairs)
Service staff: 34 (in charge of registering patients, dispensing medicine and provide assistance during acupuncture treatment)
Housekeepers: 7 (in charge of cleaning and maintaining hygiene conditions of the clinics)
Driver: 1

Members of the staff stated above are employed by the SBFC either on a full-time or part-time basis. Staff remuneration is reviewed and revised periodically by the Board of directors. Salaries drawn by members of our staff are generally lower than market rates. Based on the terms of the employment contract, our employees are entitled to a thirteen month bonus.

5.How does SBFC make use of public donation?

In 2008, about 84 per cent of expenses are related to charitable activities while administrative cost made up the remaining 16 per cent. For every free consultation, the cost is $3 per patient. For a fee-paying patient, the clinic has to subsidies $2.

6.How long can the reserves last?

The SBFC operates in compliance with regulations laid down by the Commissioner of Charities as well as the Ministry of Health. Every year, the SBFC aims only to collect sufficient donations to cover expenses, with a small surplus ideally. For this reason, expenses are generally above 90 percent of funds collected. We do not hold on to large amount of donations. Currently, our reserve amounts to $4 million. Without any donation, this reserve will only last for one and a half years.

7.What about SBFC's corporate governance?

At the bi-annual general meeting of members, a 33-member Board together with two auditors was elected. Members of the Board will meet every two months to discuss issues and matters relating to SBFC. Monthly financial reports are prepared and presented to the Board on a monthly basis. The Board will then appoint an accounting firm to audit the accounts. All administrative and financial matters are treated with transparency. Members of the public can access our website at www.sbfc.org.sg or call 67487292 for any enquiries on these matters.