Dr Aziz Noordin doesn't see himself as a hero. He speaks softly, with the kind of calm that puts people at ease, and sometimes, when you least expect it, he’ll toss in a joke. “It helps build a strong doctor-patient relationship,” he says with a modest smile. Tall and reserved at first glance, Dr Aziz’s quiet demeanour makes him approachable, and it’s perhaps his occasional light-heartedness that has endeared him to his patients over the years.

But even a doctor as affable as Dr Aziz can find himself feeling alone in his practice. For years, Dr Aziz, like many General Practitioners (GPs) in Singapore, had struggled with the realities of running a clinic—rising operational costs, finding affordable medical supplies, and providing patients with quality care amidst these challenges. “There was no platform for us to support one another,” he reflects. But it wasn’t until 2018, during a series of discussions with fellow GPs, that Dr Aziz heard of an idea that would change how he viewed his practice: a co-operative model where healthcare providers could pool their resources and knowledge.

“I wasn’t one of the founding members, but I liked the idea,” Dr Aziz says. For him, his foray into Family Medicine stemmed from his passion for providing holistic, continuous care across all stages of life. “There was something meaningful in the way they talked about helping one other as GPs. That’s when I decided to be a part of it.” And so, Dr Aziz joined GP+ Co-operative, a collective that would enable doctors to negotiate better deals, reduce costs, and ultimately improve care for their patients.

“GP+ encourages and provides a platform for us to collaborate with other health care providers and services to improve ourselves and in turn provide better care for our patients including navigating the healthcare landscape,” he adds.

The GP+ Co-operative, which now includes GPs, specialists, and allied health professionals, has since become a lifeline for independent clinics. “Pooling resources is key,” Dr Aziz explains. “When we come together as a group, we have much more negotiating power.” With the co-operative’s help, associated clinics can access lower prices on medical supplies, screenings, and lab tests, passing the savings on to their patients.

In 2020, when COVID-19 pandemic upended life in Singapore, the co-operative's importance became even more apparent. With surgical masks stocks running out, GP+ Co-operative stepped in to procure and deliver supplies to affiliated clinics. “Most clinics were left without much (medical supplies),” Dr Aziz recalls. “GP+ helped many of us get what we needed quickly.”

The benefits extend beyond the pandemic. Dr Aziz highlights the ongoing savings for lab tests and imaging services. “We’ve been able to negotiate lab tests at a cheaper price, compared to what most individual clinics could manage on their own,” he shares. These savings are not just about cost—they’re about making healthcare more accessible to the community.

For Dr Aziz, what makes the co-operative truly special is the collaboration it fosters. “When we contribute information and best practices, it helps improve the standard of care for everyone,” he says. With GPs, specialists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists working together, GP+ Co-operative creates a healthcare ecosystem where providers learn from one another and patients benefit from a more holistic approach.

Dr Aziz is quick to share: “With GP+ Co-op, there are lifelines that I could tap on in times of need.” A case in point: Dr Aziz encountered a patient experiencing breathlessness just days before travel declined hospital care due to wait times. Through GP+ Co-operative’s connections, he quickly arranged a cardiologist, who discovered and treated a blocked heart vessel in time for the trip. Afterward, care continued, focusing on risk management and ensuring a smooth recovery.

One of GP+ Co-operative’s most recent projects, and one close to Dr Aziz’s heart, focuses on youth mental health. Recognising the growing need for mental health services, the co-operative is collaborating with another co-operative Love Empowered to develop a platform to connect youths with counselling and therapy resources. “Mental health is an unmet need, especially among the youths, and we’re trying to address that,” Dr Aziz says. The project has already secured some funding from the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) and is gaining momentum.

Though Dr Aziz wasn’t there at the beginning, he now plays a crucial role in growing the co-operative. As a committee member, he actively encourages more GPs to join the movement. “There’s a lot of potential in working together,” he says. “When we pool our resources and knowledge, we can achieve so much more than working in silos.”

Reflecting on the Singapore Co-operative Movement, which is nearing its 100th anniversary, Dr Aziz feels proud to be part of something that has lasted so long. “It’s very humbling to be part of something with such a long history,” he says. “The principles of co-operativism have stood the test of time, and I believe they’ll continue to evolve to meet the needs of the next generation.”

Through GP+ Co-operative, Dr Aziz Noordin is helping to build a future where healthcare is not about doing it alone but about coming together to support both doctors and patients. “Co-operatives like GP+ can play a key role in advocating for healthcare reforms that address systemic inequalities, such as better financing models and improved infrastructure,” he adds.

Faces of Co-operator is a seasonal column featuring the stories behind co-operative employees and members. Here, we featured Dr Aziz Noordin of GP+ Co-operative.

Words & Photos by Sng Ler Jun