Andil Thomas Stamford Raffles Benahi Singapore Health System

The Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles statue was founded on the banks of the Singapore River in 1972. (Singapore Tourism Board)

JAKARTA - Thomas Stamford Raffles is a meritorious figure for Singapore. His genius was able to lift the status of the Lion Country. Raffles was able to turn an area that used to be dominated by the wilderness into a free port full of profits for the UK.

Raffles wants Singapore to be built massively. Mainly, health matters. He fixes Singapore's health system, which has not been touched by western medical. The narrative further confirms Raffles as the basis for the health system in Singapore.

Raffles' name is very famous in Southeast Asia. He once served as Lieutenant Governor General of the Dutch East Indies (now: Indonesia) in the 1811-1816 era. He did many major breakthroughs in the archipelago. Mainly, the matter of dismantling the Sultanate of Yogyakarta.

It may be that Raffles' existence in the archipelago is over. However, that does not mean Raffles retired to serve England's trading partnership, East India Company (EIC). He was later appointed Lieutenant Governor of Bencoleen (Bengkulu) who served from 1818-1824.

The power made Raffles think hard so that the income of British trading partnerships increased in Southeast Asia. The review was not easy. Raffles is well aware that the Netherlands has taken over many strategic ports in Southeast Asia.

Raffles doesn't want England to follow the Dutch forever. He also tactics to find a strategic free port. Raffles also took the initiative to perpetuate expectations and land in Singapore. Singapore is also the expected territory. He considers Singapore to have a strategic location. Especially close to the Malacca Strait.

Ports in Singapore are considered profitable. Singapore has manageable natural resources. Ulam's beloved pinnacle arrived. This wish was finally achieved in 1819. Raffles then perpetuated an agreement to local authorities to build a free port and a British trade post.

Singapore dates back to January 30, 1819, when local ruler Tumenggung Johor signed an agreement with Raffles - an agent of British trading partnership - planning Britain to set up a trade post. On the following day, camping on the banks of the Singapore River, Raffles wrote with God to his friend, Orientalis, the famous William Marsden. In the pleasure of all pleasure that is a foothold in such a classic land that must be inspired.

"The mission is important for British trading partnerships to play a role in bringing Raffles to this special place. A place whose population is not very clear. Raffles also wants to turn it into one of the busiest ports in Southeast Asia," explains CM.

Raffles' desire to make Singapore a free port is not easy. Raffles arrived at the responsibility to fix Singapore massively. Mainly, health matters. All because Singapore is only the place of life for fishermen whose land is full of wilderness.

This condition made Singapore known as home to disease outbreaks. Cholera, smallpox, and influenza are some of the disease that mushroomes. The disease can spread at any time and become a frightening scourge for Britons, including Raffles.

Raffles considered it reasonable. He also at the beginning of his arrival to Singapore also brought along his personal doctor, Thomas Prandergast. The doctor was then given the task of improving the health system in Singapore, including building a Military Hospital.

The initiation introducing the west medical system is the main marker of improving the health system in Singapore. Even though those who initially enjoyed western treatment were only at the level of Europeans and British soldiers. While they local natives only rely on treatment dominated by shamans.

The results were felt in the future. Raffles was then considered by the whole of Singapore as a hero. His name is immortalized in many places. From the name of the hotel to the road. All because of Raffles' great services. Mainly, as the founder of the modern health system (barat) in Singapore.

In Raffles' group in 1819 there was one European and Indian troop detachment as well as their accompanying doctor, Thomas Prendergast. In general, the arrival of Raffles which brought the Premandgast marked the first time the western treatment touched Singapore.

In accordance with Raffles' vision, Singapore is growing rapidly. Western medical care in the early decades of its establishment of Singapore was managed by doctors at military hospitals. Local residents and migrants are looking for treatment from their traditional shamans. The rendergast, as a military doctor, was assigned to the first General Hospital. This is a precursor to the now-day Singapore General Hospital (but at that time no more than a warehouse) which was established near the intersection of Jalan Bras Wet and Jalan Stamford in 1821, written in the book Caring For Our People: 50 Years of Healthcare in Singapore(2015).