A significant portion of Singapore’s skilled workforce remains sidelined, not due to a lack of ability or desire to contribute, but because of persistent misconceptions surrounding their chronic health conditions. For thousands of dialysis patients, the routine of life-sustaining treatment is often accompanied by the demoralizing routine of job rejections. However, a pioneering initiative is challenging this status quo, demonstrating that targeted collaboration between patient advocacy groups and forward-thinking employers can unlock a resilient and motivated talent pool. The “All Inclusive NKF Community Job Fair,” a specialized event held in late 2025, has emerged as a powerful model for reintegrating these individuals into the workforce, proving that meaningful employment is an essential component of holistic patient care and a strategic solution to pressing labor shortages. This effort moves beyond simple charity, creating tangible, mutually beneficial outcomes that restore dignity for patients and provide businesses with dedicated, capable employees.
Confronting the Barriers to Employment
The struggle for employment among those with kidney failure is a widespread and often invisible crisis. Data from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) reveals that a substantial 42%, or 2,285 of its more than 5,400 hemodialysis patients, are unemployed. More telling is that nearly half of this group, approximately 1,090 individuals, are actively seeking work but find their paths blocked by systemic barriers. The personal experiences of jobseekers bring this statistical reality into sharp focus. Chew Teck Seng, a 53-year-old former technical specialist, found himself retrenched from a 28-year career after his dialysis schedule began to affect his performance. He lamented that while his physical limits were real, his mental capabilities and skills remained sharp. His experience mirrors that of many others who encounter a sudden halt in employment prospects the moment their medical needs are disclosed, regardless of their qualifications or eagerness to adapt to a new role, highlighting a pervasive stigma that equates a chronic illness with an inability to contribute professionally.
This challenge is further exemplified by the journey of 40-year-old Malathy Naga Rathnam, a former healthcare worker whose kidneys failed in 2022. Despite her background and desire to remain in a field she was passionate about, she faced repeated reluctance from employers who were hesitant to accommodate a dialysis patient. Her assertion, “Only my kidneys are not working. Other than that, I am fine,” captures the core frustration of a workforce judged by its limitations rather than its potential. The common obstacles cited by employers, such as the inability to lift heavy objects or the necessity for a flexible schedule to accommodate tri-weekly treatments, often overshadow the valuable experience and dedication these candidates offer. While national support systems like NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) provide general assistance to all jobseekers with health challenges, the lack of programs specifically designed for dialysis patients underscores the unique and pioneering nature of a more targeted approach, which is crucial for addressing their specific set of employment hurdles effectively.
A Strategic Partnership for Inclusive Hiring
In response to this pressing need, the NKF joined forces with The Social Equity (TSE), a local social enterprise dedicated to fostering social inclusion. This strategic partnership culminated in the “All Inclusive NKF Community Job Fair,” a targeted intervention designed to connect patients directly with employers committed to inclusive hiring. Held on October 29, 2025, the event was a resounding success, with 18 carefully selected companies participating. TSE’s expertise in organizing both physical job fairs and managing its “goodJobs” online platform, which features over 50,000 active hiring positions, provided the logistical backbone for the initiative. The fair’s design was critical; by pre-screening employers for their willingness to be flexible, it eliminated the initial barrier of disclosure that so often derails a patient’s job search. The immediate impact was profound, with at least 14 dialysis patients, including Mr. Chew and Ms. Malathy, securing meaningful employment, demonstrating the immense potential of a well-organized, empathetic hiring event.
The success stories from the fair illuminate how employer adaptability can transform lives and businesses. Mr. Chew secured a position as a cleaner with the popular F&B chain Ya Kun Kaya Toast. His new employer demonstrated exemplary flexibility by reducing his daily shift from six to four hours upon realizing he lacked the stamina for the longer workday and by instituting 15-minute breaks every two hours. This was not merely an act of goodwill but a strategic business decision. Vincent Kuan, Ya Kun’s senior area manager, noted that this approach enables the company to tap into a broader talent pool and foster a more inclusive workplace culture. Similarly, Ms. Malathy found a role as a team lead at the bakery and cafe chain Cedele. Poy Rong Chang, Cedele’s general manager, emphasized that in a tight labor market, flexibility is a competitive advantage. By embracing inclusive hiring, Cedele increased its part-time casual labor force by a remarkable 54% in just ten months, recognizing that an adaptable schedule is essential for attracting and retaining the manpower it needs from a diverse workforce.
A New Vision for Holistic Patient Care
The initiative represented a fundamental shift, framing gainful employment not as a separate goal but as an integral part of comprehensive patient care. Yen Tan, the CEO of NKF, articulated this vision by stating that while dialysis sustains life, the organization’s mission is to enrich it. Achieving employment restores a sense of stability, dignity, and hope that medical treatment alone cannot provide. This perspective was echoed by Jenny Wee, the co-founder of TSE, who urged more employers to be forward-thinking and recognize that chronically ill patients constitute a capable and willing segment of the workforce ready to contribute. The converging viewpoints from employers like Ya Kun and Cedele reinforced this idea, highlighting that inclusive hiring is a pragmatic solution to labor shortages, turning what was once seen as a concession into a competitive business advantage. The success of the job fair has laid a strong foundation for future efforts and a broader societal conversation about the capabilities of individuals living with chronic conditions.
Looking back, the collaborative model pioneered by the NKF and TSE proved to be a highly effective mechanism for dismantling employment barriers for dialysis patients. The event’s success confirmed that when employers are pre-screened for a commitment to flexibility, they can access a resilient and motivated talent pool, creating a win-win scenario. The initiative provided individuals with the financial independence and purpose they had been seeking, while participating companies gained loyal employees who were eager to work. Based on this positive outcome, both organizations have planned to organize more such job fairs. Their intention to potentially open these future events to non-NKF patients suggested a desire to scale this successful model, aiming to foster a more inclusive and adaptable labor market across Singapore and set a new standard for how society supports and empowers all its members to lead fulfilling, productive lives.
