About the 1978 Medical Bond Issue

It all happened in June 1978 when the government announced its intention to bond all first year medical students for 5 years upon graduation (with a penalty sum of $81,000 should the bond be broken).

All existing medical students (except those on scholarship and bursary)would have to sign a bond as well. The duration of the bond was pegged to the number of years completed in the medical school. Thus, a 5th year medical student would sign a 1 year bond and a 2nd year student 4 years bond. The quantum of sum involved was set at $81000 regardless of the duration of the bond period. The medical students who were affected by the new ruling were unhappy.

 They argued that when they first joined the University, there was no mention of a bond. To slap a bond in the middle of one's course was really not a fair option, the students contended. 

They petitioned the then PM Lee Kuan Yew. They also protested by not turning up to sign the bond. The bond itself was revised twice. Still the medical sudents refused to sign the amended 2nd and 3rd bonds. The discussion with the relevant authorities continued for nearly 3 months.

At one stage, the University of Singapore jumped onto the band wagon by issuing a statement that "if you don't sign the bond, you would not get the medical degree". No bond, no degree. 

The students were undaunted. They resisted signing the bond. The bond was revised twice and still the final year medical students refused to sign the revised bond. The rest of the medical students from Year 2 to Year 4 supported the final year students. 

The protest continued. 

On Day 88, Dr Toh Chin Chye, the then Health Minister, agreed to see student reps for 10 mins. The meeting began at 11am but ended only at 1pm. The medical students went prepared with a Declaration of Intent (to serve in the government hospitals for the corresponding number of years without the bond sum of $81000). 

Dr Toh agreed to accept the Declaration which became an alternative to the bond.  Some signed the bond while some signed the Declaration of Intent.

.