Dr Koh Poh Koon has returned to medical practice as a colorectal surgeon after stepping down as Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower on June 1. Announcing his decision on social media, he said he looked forward to serving Singaporeans again through healthcare, while continuing his work as a Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC.
Dr Koh explained that family considerations played a major role in his decision to leave his ministerial appointments. He reflected that the demands of political office had often made him an absent husband, father and son, and he wanted to devote more time to be with his loved ones while continuing to contribute to society in a different capacity.
Before entering politics in 2015, Dr Koh was an accomplished surgeon and served as the founding director of the Colorectal Cancer Genomic Health Service at Singapore General Hospital. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong thanked him for his decade of service in government and wished him well in his return to healthcare.
