HC Surgical Specialists : Response to Straits Times Article of 3 August 2022 Download PDF

HC SURGICAL SPECIALISTS LIMITED

Incorporated in the Republic of Singapore

Registration No. 201533429G

RESPONSE TO STRAITS TIMES ARTICLE OF 3 AUGUST 2022

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of HC Surgical Specialists Limited (the "Company" and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") refers to the Straits Times article of 3 August 2022 "SMC seeks longer suspension for 2 doctors for exploiting patient for sex".

The Straits Times article relates to a complaint by Ms Serene Tiong against, among others, one of the Group's specialist surgeons, Dr Julian Ong ("Dr Ong"), to the Singapore Medical Council ("SMC") that he and another doctor had colluded to take advantage of vulnerable female patients "to satisfy their immoral desires". The disciplinary tribunal of SMC had earlier found the two doctors guilty of professional misconduct and imposed suspensions on the doctors, in particular, an eight-month suspension on Dr Ong. Both doctors had lodged an appeal to the Court of Three Judges and the appeal was heard today in the High Court. The court has not passed judgment on the appeals.

The Board would like to highlight the importance of allowing due process to run its course and as of the date of this announcement, Dr Ong is still allowed to continue his medical practice, subject to certain conditions imposed by the SMC as was previously announced on 19 June 2020.

The Board will provide further updates, as and when available, in accordance with the requirements of the Catalist Rules.

By Order of the Board

Dr. Heah Sieu Min

Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer

3 August 2022

About HC Surgical Specialists Limited

HC Surgical Specialists Limited (the "Company") was incorporated on 1 September 2015 in Singapore and listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited on 3 November 2016. The Company, its subsidiaries and associated company are a medical services group primarily engaged in the provision of endoscopic procedures, including gastroscopies and colonoscopies, and general surgery services with a focus on colorectal procedures across a network of 16 clinics located throughout Singapore.

This announcement has been prepared by the Company and reviewed by the Company's sponsor, Novus Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor"), in compliance with Rule 226(2)(b) of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "SGX-ST") Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist.

This announcement has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this announcement.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr. Pong Chen Yih, Chief Operating Officer, at 7 Temasek Boulevard, #18-03B Suntec Tower 1, Singapore 038987, telephone [phone].