Remembering a Trailblazer: Dr. Agnes Koong
Just a few days ago, the Singaporean medical community lost a true pioneer. Dr. Agnes Koong, 44, died after a hard‑fought battle with leukemia that saw a relapse this year. She had been the powerhouse behind SingHealth Polyclinics’ first 24‑hour prescription pickup service—“Pilbox”—and later led the Community Health division.
From “Pilbox” to the Heart of Community Health
Back in 2016, as the director of Marine Parade Polyclinic, Dr. Koong launched the “Prescription in a Locker Box” service. It let patients—particularly the elderly—grab their meds after dark without needing to visit a doctor’s office. Fast forward, she became the Director of Community Health at SingHealth Polyclinics, guiding initiatives that connect medical care with community support.
A Battle with Leukemia
- • Diagnosed during the 2020 circuit breaker, Dr. Koong underwent a bone marrow transplant.
- • In 2024, the disease relapsed, prompting tough choices.
- • At the start of August, she decided to stop treatment rather than pursue a second transplant, preferring to spend her remaining time living fully.
Her husband, Simon Leong, spoke to the press. “It was painful, but I respected her decision,” he said. Her parents had been more skeptical—thinking she could still fight—but she convinced them to honor her wishes.
Life Beyond the Hospital Bed
Dr. Koong wasn’t just a doctor. She was a dancer, choreographer, and an ordinary, caring wife and mom. Even after her diagnosis, she kept working from home, shuttling between meetings and projects to finish her goals. Former patients called to say, “She had a heart for medicine, but she also had a heart for life.”
- • She made time for family dinners, weekends, and always found a balance.
- • Her 11‑year‑old son didn’t fully grasp the hospice setting, but still hoped for Mum’s recovery.
- • During her final days, the family jammed on handicrafts and heartfelt chats.
Simon also shared that Dr. Koong once wrote letters to each child for every milestone she’d miss. “Once my wife wrote those letters, it felt as though she was still beside them when they read them,” he said. Only a handful were completed.
Legacy and Tribute
Before she passed, Dr. Koong felt she had lived a meaningful life. She told her children that she would keep watching over them from heaven.
Nation‑wide, people paid tribute. Former senior minister Goh Chok Tong posted:
“We’ve lost a key figure who bridged social and medical services in Marine Parade. She was in the prime of her life.”
Final Thought
Dr. Agnes Koong showed that a doctor can be a healer, a dancer, an organizer, and a devoted family member—all at once. Her story reminds us that even when faced with life‑ending illness, we can choose to live in gratitude, leave a legacy, and love fiercely. She will be missed by her husband, three children, parents, and a lifelong network of patients and colleagues.
