SHORTLY after the head of Ren Ci Hospital was hauled to court on Tuesday to face 10 criminal charges over the charity's finances, the Ministry of Health moved to reassure the public that patient care and medical treatment at the institution will not be affected.

The ministry, in a statement, also said that building of a new Ren Ci community hospital is on track for completion by December, and it is considering upping the capital grant for this project to meet the rising construction cost.

It is also exploring deeper collaboration between the Ren Ci hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital to 'deliver more seamless integrated care' between the two institutions.

On Tuesday morning, the CEO of Ren Ci Hospital, Goh Kah Heng alias Shi Ming Yi, his ex-personal executive, Raymond Yeung Chi Hang and a manager of Ren Ci's Resource Development Department, David Phua Seow Hwa, were charged in courts.

Venerable Ming Yi faces four charges under the Penal Code involving two counts of criminal breach of trust, one count of forgery for the purpose of cheating and one count of abetment of falsification of accounts.

He was also charged with six counts under the Charities Act for providing false information.

Raymond Yeung faces one charge of abetting the falsification of accounts under the Penal Code, and one charge of abetting the providing of false information under the Charities Act.

David Phua faces one charge of abetting the providing of false information under the Charities Act.

MOH said the Commissioner of Charities has suspended Venerable Ming Yi as CEO of Ren Ci Hospital and also from his executive positions in five other charities - Foo Hai Ch'an Monastery, Foo Hai Ch'an Buddhist Cultural and Welfare Association, Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic and The Singapore Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, and the Katho Temple.

But he remains the religious leader of the Foo Hai Ch'an Monastery.

MOH said the Ren Ci Board, led by Mr Chua Thian Poh who became the chairman last September, has reassured the ministry that Ren Ci's current services and day-to-day operations will remain intact and will not be disrupted.

In fact, Venerable Ming Yi took leave of absence from Ren Ci since February and has not been involved in its operation.

'MOH notes that Mr Chua has invited a couple of new members into the Board to lead the strengthening of board governance and that Ren Ci has since put in a number of improvements in accordance with the recommendations made by the auditor,' said the MOH statement.

'Mr Chua will further strengthen the Board in the wake of these findings. MOH will continue to support Mr Chua and his Board to ensure that Ren Ci's good work to its patients will continue.'

Separately, the management committee of Ren Ci Hospital and Medical Centre issued a statement on Tuesday to also reassure its stakeholders and public of its continued commitment to the welfare of its patients, staff, and smooth running of its clinical services.