The MOH worked closely with the media to provide regular, timely updates and
health advisories. This information was communicated to the public through every
possible medium. In addition to the media (e.g. TV and radio), information
pamphlets were distributed to every household and the MOH website provided
constant updates and health advisories to the general public. Notably, a government
information channel dedicated to providing timely updates was created on the same
day – 13 March 2003 – when the WHO issued a global alert. A dedicated TV
Channel called the SARS Channel was launched to broadcast information on the
symptoms and transmission mechanisms of the virus (James, et al. 2006). The
importance of social responsibility and personal hygiene was a frequent message
heard throughout the SARS epidemic. As an example, when Tan Tock Seng
Hospital was designated as the SARS hospital at the peak of SARS epidemics, the
government undertook many efforts in public communication and education to seek
cooperation and support from other healthcare providers, such as public hospitals and
local clinics, so that they would absorb the additional cases of non-flu illnesses.