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Lifewise WINNER / GRAND AWARD, APEX 2020
ISSUE
NO89
J U L– S E P
2021
HEROES
OF OUR TIME
A Tr i bu te to al l Fr o n
ntt llii n
ner
er s
@nhg_shbc
#SHBC2021
Over 60 thought leaders. 2 days & beyond. 1 virtual congress.
O F H E A L T H C A R E
7 & 8 October 2021, Thu & Fri A Re-Imagined Virtual Experience
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Lifewise N H G I S A R E G I O N A L H E A LT H S Y S T E M F O R S I N G A P O R E
CONTENTS
ISSUE
NO89J U L– S E P
2021
“We might not recognise
their faces or know
their names, but they
(frontliners) take on the
most important job of
08
looking after patients.”
Professor Benjamin Seet,
Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer
(Education & Research),
National Healthcare Group
01
FEATURES
COVER STORY
08 HEROES OF OUR TIME
Capturing the indomitable
spirit of COVID-19
frontliners through art.
reasons for receiving the and practices towards this
12 THE CONVERGING OF COVID-19 vaccination. chronic condition.
INNOVATIVE MINDS
Collaborations are key to 20 THE GAME PLAN 24 COLLABORATING FOR
delivering quality care and Japan takes utmost BETTER HEALTH
improving the health of precautions to keep the The first collaborative
our population. 2020 Tokyo Olympics safe. prescribing pharmacist
in NHG Pharmacy.
18 WHY I DECIDED TO 22 DELVING DEEPER
BE VACCINATED INTO DIABETES 26 TAKING YOUNG
The Vice-Chairman of Findings from a local MINDS TO HEART
Medical Board (Research) study to examine the The rise of mental health
at IMH reflects on his knowledge, attitudes, issues in Singapore youths.
Lifewise
ISSUE
NO89
J U L– S E P
2021
CONTENTS
LifewiseFOLQFKHGWKHIROORZLQJDZDUGVDW$3(;
GRAND AWARD
Magazine, Journals & Tabloids
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Magazine, Journals & Tabloids – Magazine Series
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Magazines, Journals & Tabloids – Design and Layout
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HEALTH 360 IMPACT OF STAYING IN
30 BE A SPORT SMALL SPACES.
Helping your young
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2 Lifewise N O V- D E C 2 0 1 8
Lifewise WINNER / GRAND AWARD, APEX 2020
ISSUE
NO89
J U L– S E P
2021
Everyone has a
HEROES
OF OUR TIME
part to play
IF
A Tr i bu te to al l Fro
Fr o n tl i n ers
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ON COVER
PAINTINGS FROM HEROES OF OUR TIME
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING,
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THE BIG PICTURE
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BY JOYCE LIM // MAIN ILLUSTRATIONS ANNGEE NEO
A HEALTH CERTIFICATE THAT BEARS PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION MAY OFFER SAFE PASSAGE AND
PROTECTION TO SOME MEASURE, BUT ADOPTING SUCH A PRACTICE HAS ITS CHALLENGES.
hen the launch date for the deferred Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble was announced in late April this year, air tickets were
quickly snapped up. However, arrangements were postponed for the second time when cases in Singapore spiked in May — a stark
reminder that it will take time before leisure travel returns to pre-pandemic days, if it ever will. With virus mutations, recurring waves
of infection, and unmet vaccination targets, restrictions on travel are unlikely to ease up any time soon. Countries, however, need to
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A RT I N A PA N D E M I C
08
HEROES OUR TIME OF
JUL
SEP
2021
Professionall artists,
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children, and
d migrant áņņáğŎă¾ĘΟŨĦłĔáłņΟ¾ņΟŎÿáŮΟÖ¾ŎŎĘáÝΟŎĦΟĔááĿΟ
workers inteerpreted ŎÿáΟ×ĦœğŎłŮΟ÷Ħăğ÷Ο¾ĞăÝΟŎÿáΟd¥E ͱ̙̑Ο
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the COVID-119 ĘĦğáĘăğáņņΟŎÿ¾ŎΟÖáņáŎΟŎÿĦņáΟăğΟŁœ¾ł¾ğŎăğá͒Ο
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pandemic Ýœłăğ÷ΟŎÿáΟăł×œăŎΠłá¾Ĕáł͒Ο
őĂŅĩŖúĂέÁŅő͠ These vignettes of daily life during the
BY ROY SIM pandemic — especially at its peak in 2020 —
are forever etched into our memories. These
scenes will live on, encapsulated by artists
with their diverse perspectives and lived
experiences of this unprecedented crisis.
This poignant showcase, titled +HURHVbRI
Our Time, comprised 200 pieces by artists
from all walks of life. The event was
co-organised by the National Healthcare
Group (NHG) and the Singapore Art Society
(SAS), with partners HealthServe and the
Asian Scientist Magazine; and supported by
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Singapore, as well as ION Art Gallery. 1 + * , 6 $ 5 ( * , 2 1 $ / + ( $ /7 + 6 < 6 7 ( 0 ) 2 5 6 , 1 * $ 3 2 5 (
· Lifewise
We may not know the
name of every person on
the frontlines, but through
this painting (DäŅĩäʼnέĩù
09
Our Time, top, far left),
ūäέĂĩłäőĩÚÁłőŖŅäőĂä
indomitable spirit of all
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Mr Terence Teo, President, Singapore Art Society
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fears and feelings, their longing for home, and
their appreciation of Singapore through their
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has been organising weekly outreach events
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Some of the Besides artworks by SAS artists, IRUbVHYHUDO\HDUV
featured artworks young talents were also invited to share
displayed at their perspectives on the pandemic AN ARTISTIC TRIBUTE
the exhibtion,
including the through ‘Celebrating Our Healthcare The centrepiece of the exhibition, aptly titled
centrepiece Heroes Heroes’, a national art competition for Heroes of Our Time, was created by 18 artists
of Our Time FKLOGUHQDQG\RXWKVDJHGĆYHWR from SAS and took six months to complete.
(top, far left).
2YHUbbVXEPLVVLRQVZHUHUHFHLYHG The 1.8m-by-3m acrylic painting depicts
VRPHbRIZKLFKZHUHGLVSOD\HGDWWKH various scenes of Singapore’s battle against
exhibition. Their works were judged by COVID-19 — from healthcare workers donning
a panel of judges from NHG, SAS, Asian Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) across
Scientist MagazineDQG7HPDVHNb)RXQGDWLRQ NHG Institutions to NHG Senior ManagementA RT I N A PA N D E M I C
Above: (From left) Prof Eugene Fidelis Soh, CEO, TTSH & Central Health; Prof Benjamin Seet, Deputy Group CEO (Education & Research), NHG;
Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Janil Puthucheary; Mr Terence Teo, President, SAS; and Prof Leo Yee Sin, Executive Director, NCID, unveiling the Heroes of
Our Time tribute painting. Below: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong posing with a painting of himself receiving the vaccination (MCI photo by Lim Sin Thai).
walking the ground at dormitories and
quarantine facilities.
“We may not know the name of
every person on the frontlines, but
through this painting, we hope to
capture the indomitable spirit of all
healthcare workers and thank them for
continuing to serve with commitment
and dedication to keep Singapore safe,”
10 said Mr Terence Teo, President of SAS.
Praising the piece, NHG Deputy
JUL
SEP *URXS&KLHI([HFXWLYH2IĆFHU
2021 (Education & Research) Professor
Benjamin Seet, said, “During the
pandemic, it is the frontliners such as
nurses who make the most difference.
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know their names, but they take on the
most important job of looking after
patients. This painting celebrates their
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Heroes of Our Time was presented
to the National Centre for Infectious
Diseases (NCID) after the exhibition,
and is now on permanent display at
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MEMORIES FROM
))~¤Ƥ):`)b
Mr Tamil, a migrant worker from India
in his twenties, discovered art to be
an avenue for therapy when he was
quarantined aboard a cruise ship in
2020. He began sketching portraits
of his friends and of the furniture
in his cabin, as well as abstract
artworks inspired by the scenery
around him. His works were spotted
by a HealthServe staff, who went on
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and provide him with different
tools to help improve his drawing
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· Lifewise
“During the pandemic, it is the
frontliners such as nurses who
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not recognise their faces or know
their names, FYXcXLI]XEOISRXLI
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Professor Benjamin Seet, Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer,
(Education & Research), National Healthcare Group
11
Some of the entries on display at the exhibition, including pieces from the
‘Celebrating Our Healthcare Heroes’ art competition.
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One of the many paintings that YDFFLQHbQHZVë
stood out was Against All Odds Walking through the
E\/DL6HQ)RQJ,WGHSLFWHG3ULPH exhibition deeply impacted
Minister Lee Hsien Loong receiving YLVLWRU0U1LJHOb/LP7KH
his COVID-19 vaccination at the 30-year-old tech manager shared
start of Singapore’s inoculation with Lifewise, “Throughout the
drive. PM Lee, who visited the pandemic, most of us have been
exhibition on 16 March, wrote focused on ourselves. But seeing
DERXWLWRQKLV)DFHERRNSDJH the experiences of others made
“Paid a visit to the Heroes of Our me think about what they were
Time exhibition at ION Orchard going through and empathise
WKLVHYHQLQJ)RXQGDIDPLOLDU with their situation.”bH E A LT H C A R E & I N N O V A T I O N
BY WANDA TAN AND LYDIA SOH
IN CONSULTATION WITH
PROFESSOR BENJAMIN SEET
DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR STEVEN THNG (EDUCATION & RESEARCH) //
CHIEF DERMATOLOGIST // SKIN RESEARCH NATIONAL HEALTHCARE GROUP
INSTITUTE OF SINGAPORE // DIRECTOR // PROFESSOR // LEE KONG CHIAN
// TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH OFFICE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
// NATIONAL HEALTHCARE GROUP //
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR // LEE KONG
CHIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
THE
12
JUL
CONVERGING OF
INNOVATIVE
SEP
2021
IF
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS National Healthcare Group (NHG) looks at how NHG is working in
TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT IS THE — was a co-winner (Infrastructure) synchronicity with its partners
IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION. with the Agency for Science, to achieve its vision of “Adding
Transcending traditional Technology and Research (A*STAR) years of healthy life” to the people
sector boundaries for their joint development of RIb6LQJDSRUH
and international 5DGL/RJLFDQDUWLĆFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFH
borders, many of the solutions and (AI)-powered tool that can rapidly WORKING IN CONCERT
interventions to complex issues detect COVID-19 pneumonia Our research works towards three
caused by the global crisis were (lung infection) on chest X-rays. global health outcomes, says Professor
developed through cross-discipline The innovation was driven by both %HQMDPLQb6HHW'HSXW\*URXS
and cross-industry approaches. RUJDQLVDWLRQVèFRPPRQJRDOWRĆJKW &KLHI([HFXWLYH2IĆFHU (GXFDWLRQ
6LQJDSRUHWRRKDVEHQHĆWWHGIURP the disease more effectively and 5HVHDUFK 1+*7KHĆUVWLVWR
such strategic partnerships. provide timely, appropriate care to raise research intensity, largely by
At the IT Leader Awards 2021, infected patients. orchestrating research activities
the longest-running local tech awards Indeed, strategic and timely across NHG institutions “so that the
organised by the Singapore Computer collaborations are key to delivering collective effort comes across as a
Society, held in March, Tan Tock Seng quality care and improving the symphony, rather than as a compilation
Hospital (TTSH) — a member of the health of our population. Lifewise RIVRORLVWVëDVb3URIb6HHWbSXWVLWN H G I S A R E G I O N A L H E A LT H S Y S T E M F O R S I N G A P O R E
· Lifewise
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TAN CHER HENG population health strategy and programmes,”
DEPUTY CLINICAL DIRECTOR // CENTRE FOR
HEALTHCARE INNOVATION // TAN TOCK SENG 3URIb6HHWDGYRFDWHV
HOSPITAL // COMMITTEE MEMBER // Collaboration is fundamental to achieving all
CENTRE FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES AND
three goals. In today’s world, it is not possible to do
INNOVATIONS // NATIONAL HEALTHCARE GROUP
// ASSISTANT DEAN (CLINICAL RESEARCH) // everything by ourselves, says Prof Seet, “Diverse
LEE KONG CHIAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE resources are needed to turn the best research
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“Research at the cluster level will take on
major health challenges where there are unmet
needs or big gaps in knowledge. This often remains
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together a coherent programme,” he elaborates.
([DPSOHVRIKHDOWKFDUHDUHDVWKDWKDYHVLJQLĆFDQW
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elderly, multi-morbidity and polypharmacy (or the
use of multiple medications by an individual), and
the primary prevention of chronic diseases.
The success of a collaboration largely hinges
on having the right partner. In the area of research,
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Technological University (NTU) and A*STAR.
(DUOLHUWKLV\HDU1+*/.&0HGLFLQHDQG
A*STAR signed a tripartite Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to jointly establish a 13
healthtech accelerator — Co11ab @ Mandalay
— to facilitate clinical adoption of new
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Associate Professor Tan Cher Heng likens his job
as a radiologist to being a detective, “Radiologists
The fruits of pick up clues from medical images and combine
our understanding of anatomy, pathology, and
collaboration. physics to solve diagnostic puzzles that would
be useful for helping clinicians better manage
patients.” He adds that research and innovation
are natural extensions of his passion for the
£
science behind the subject. His spirit of curiosity
Second, NHG seeks to build DQGHQWHUSULVHĆWVKLVWKUHHFRQFXUUHQWUROHVDV
international peaks of excellence in areas
What Deputy Clinical Director of TTSH’s Centre for
where it has clinical strengths, such as
CMTi Healthcare Innovation (CHI), Committee Member
infectious diseases, dermatology, and
has done of NHG’s Centre for Medical Technologies and
mental health, which centres on research Supported NHG Innovations (CMTi), and Assistant Dean (Clinical
at the National Centre for Infectious clinicians in over 5HVHDUFK RI/.&0HGLFLQH$3URIb7DQVHHVKLPVHOI
Diseases (NCID), National Skin Centre 100
projects
(NSC), and the Institute of Mental Health
,0+ bUHVSHFWLYHO\ Secured more
Third, NHG’s research aims to than $28
provide real-world evidence to transform million
in industry funding
population health. “We don’t plan for
research to end with only papers or Filed over
patents. There has to be a strong push 87 patents
to translate research and development Created
(R&D) to better patient outcomes, better 20
healthcare, and a healthier population. commercialisable
R&D will be an integral part of NHG’s productsH E A LT H C A R E & I N N O V A T I O N
We don’t plan for
research to end
with only papers or
patents. There has
to be a strong push
to translate research
and development
to better patient
outcomes, better
healthcare, and a Fourier Intelligence’s RehabHub™.
ĂäÁěőĂĆäŅέłĩłŖěÁőĆĩĢ͠Ό
Professor Benjamin Seet, DVDçKXPDQbEULGJHèFRQQHFWLQJWKHVH &07LZKLFKZDVVHWXSLQb
Deputy Group Chief Executive institutions to collectively achieve and is a close alliance of CHI, serves
Officer (Education & Research), GHVLUHGKHDOWKbRXWFRPHV a complementary role of matching
National Healthcare Group “I enjoy bringing like-minded NHG clinicians with local and global
clinicians and scientists together technical experts from industry and
into a community where ideas are academia, facilitated by Singapore
translated into projects so that government agencies, to co-develop
14 technology can enable healthcare innovative medtech solutions to
transformation,” he explains. address unmet healthcare needs.
JUL
SEP “Clinicians are best positioned to CMTi provides administrative
2021 GHĆQHDQGDUWLFXODWHWKHSUREOHP support to help turn prototypes into
statement, while scientists and market-ready and commercially-viable
engineers are best suited to develop products. “Even if the cross-disciplinary
relevant solutions. Without a teams function well together, the
collaborative approach, the process lack of funding opportunities or of a
will likely fail.” business mindset may hinder them
2IĆFLDOO\RSHQHGLQ &+, from taking their projects beyond the
is a co-learning platform that drives LQLWLDOSURWRW\SLQJRUbSURRIRIFRQFHSW
thought leadership in healthcare SKDVHëVD\V$3URI7DQê7KHVH
innovation through technology challenges are addressed by our
and workforce transformation. administration team, who advises our
7RJHWKHUbZLWKGLYHUVHSDUWQHUV clinicians on appropriate partnerships
&+,bFRFUHDWHVKHDOWKFDUH and funding agencies, intellectual
innovations and seeks to redesign property protection, and business
ZD\VRIZRUNLQJDQGbOHDUQLQJ contract negotiations.”
The close partnership between NHG and Trendlines Medical has led to the
NEXT STOP: formation of nine new companies in just three years. Out of these, three are
THE CLINIC commencing clinical trials at NHG institutions, in the hope that these would
solve some of today’s most acute clinical challenges.
£ £ £
Medulla Pro is developing an Szone is developing an easy-to-use, interVaal is developing a
ultrasound-guided, real-time accurate, real-time, and non-invasive uniquely-designed urinary
imaging system to increase hydration monitoring device, catheter to reduce the risk of
the safety and accuracy of LQbFROODERUDWLRQZLWK776+WR catheter-associated urinary
lumbar puncture (spinal tap) EHQHĆWSDWLHQWVZLWKNLGQH\IDLOXUH tract infections, one of the
procedures. Clinicians from or cardiovascular heart disease. most commonly reported
.KRR7HFN3XDW+RVSLWDO 7KHbGHYLFHZLOOHQDEOHWKHPWRPDQDJH hospital-acquired conditions.
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Clinical trials will be carried
the system for clinical use to complications from under-
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better meet patient needs. or over-hydration. Hea Campus (WHC).
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the TTSH–A*STAR team behind UNITED
the AI tool, RadiLogic. Their AGAINST
collaboration began when they COVID-19
participated in CMTi’s Open A brief look at
Innovation Challenge, a platform how everyone is
to catalyse the co-development
coming together
of novel healthtech products.
to beat a global
“Since then, we have developed
pandemic.
an AI model ready for licensing
to a commercialisation partner,” BETWEEN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
KHbGLVFORVHV PLAYERS INVOLVED: A*STAR, TTSH, MiRXES
Two other notable Š±ƤÆĜŅƋåÏĘÏŅĵޱĹƼ)
PreSAGE, a bed-fall surveillance WHAT THEY DID: %åƴåĬŅŞåÚ±ÚĜ±čĹŅŸƋĜÏƋåŸƋĩĜƋØ
collaborations facilitated by and prevention prediction system. ϱĬĬåÚƋĘåFortitude KitØƋŅÚåƋåÏƋƋĘåeě
CMTi in the past year are with
ŅěƖƴĜųƚŸŠƵĘĜÏĘϱƚŸåŸkF%ěŎĿšŧƚĜÏĩĬƼ
7UHQGOLQHV0HGLFDO6LQJDSRUHDbPHGWHFKLQFXEDWRU DQG
±ĹÚ±ÏÏƚų±ƋåĬƼţeĹåƵåųƴåųŸĜŅĹĜŸĹŅƵ±ÆĬå
Fourier Intelligence, a Shanghai-based robotics company. In ƋŅÚĜüüåųåĹƋĜ±ƋåÆåƋƵååĹeěŅěƖ±ĹÚƋĘå
November 2020, NHG and Trendlines Medical renewed their Ÿå±ŸŅűĬüĬƚØƵĘĜÏĘåƻĘĜÆĜƋŸĜĵĜĬ±ųŸƼĵŞƋŅĵŸţ
existing MOU to continue co-developing innovative healthcare aŅųåƋʱĹüĜƴåĵĜĬĬĜŅĹĩĜƋŸĘ±ƴåÆååĹŸŅĬÚ
VROXWLRQV7KHbSDUWQHUVKLSZLOOOHYHUDJHRQ1+*èVFOLQLFDO ĬŅϱĬĬƼ±ĹÚčĬŅƱĬĬƼţ
strengths as well as Trendlines Medical’s market knowledge
PLAYERS INVOLVED: FĹƋåčų±ƋåÚBå±ĬƋĘFĹüŅųĵ±ƋĜŅĹ
and technological expertise. ƼŸƋåĵŸŠFBĜšØBØ)ĹčĜĹååųĜĹč
In March, NHG and Fourier Intelligence signed an MOU WHAT THEY DID: X±ƚĹÏĘåÚƋĘåCommand,
to build on NHG’s clinical strengths in rehabilitation medicine Control and Communications (C3)ŸƼŸƋåĵØ
and the latter’s RehabHub™ concept to co-develop cutting- ÆåĬĜåƴåÚƋŅÆåƋĘåüĜųŸƋŸĵ±ųƋĘŅŸŞĜƋ±ĬŸƼŸƋåĵ
edge rehabilitation technologies and robotics solutions. Such ĜĹƋĘåƵŅųĬÚţƐŞųŅƴĜÚåŸųå±ĬěƋĜĵå±Ĺ±ĬƼƋĜÏŸ
innovations will be designed to prevent falls and preserve ŸŅƋʱƋB±ĹÚcF%ϱĹŅŞƋĜĵĜŸå 15
mobility in frail older adults, an area of growing concern among ŅŞåų±ƋĜŅĹŸ±ĹÚųåŸŅƚųÏåüĬŅƵĜĹųåŸŞŅĹŸåƋŅ
ageing populations in Singapore, and globally. ƋĘåŞ±ĹÚåĵĜÏţ
Elsewhere, some medtech products backed by CMTi are
BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY
already in the market. For example, TTSH nurses worked PLAYERS INVOLVED: )ĵåųčĜĹčƋųŅĹčåų±ŸĩüŅųÏåØ
with local start-up CoNEX Healthcare to develop PreSAGE, ĜĹÚƚŸƋųƼØÏĜƴĜĬŸŅÏĜåƋƼ
a smart bed-exit prediction and falls prevention system WHAT THEY DID: 8ŅųĵåÚ Alliances for Action
currently deployed in TTSH’s general wards for safer patient (AfAs)رĹåƵĵŅÚåĬŅüŞųĜƴ±ƋåěŞƚÆĬĜÏ
care. It alerts nurses whenever a patient tries to get out of ޱųƋĹåųŸĘĜŞƋŅ±ÚÚų域Şų域ĜĹčåÏŅĹŅĵĜÏ
bed, giving nurses more time to reach the bedside. There ±ĹÚŸŅÏĜ±ĬĜŸŸƚ埱ŸĜĹ豪ŅųååĹƋåųŸƋĘå
is also the attractive Suu Balm range of products, which ųåÏŅƴåųƼŞĘ±ŸåţeŸŅüa±ųÏĘƤƖLjƖŎØƋĘåųåƵåųå
provides rapid itch relief for atopic dermatitis (eczema) and ŎĿeüeŸÏŅƴåųĜĹč±ų屟ŸƚÏʱŸųŅÆŅƋĜÏŸØƋĘå
ÆƚĜĬƋåĹƴĜųŅĹĵåĹƋØÚĜčĜƋ±ĬĬĜƋåų±ÏƼ±ĹÚ±ÏÏ域Ø
other skin problems. Formulated by NSC and commercialised
±ĹÚƵŅųĩěĬĜüåʱųĵŅĹƼţ
in collaboration with homegrown company Good Pharma
'HUPDWRORJ\WKHbSURGXFWVDUHQRZDYDLODEOHLQWHUQDWLRQDOO\ BETWEEN COUNTRIES
PLAYERS INVOLVED: :±ƴĜØƋĘå±ÏÏĜĹåeĬĬĜ±ĹÏåſ
Ņ±ĬĜƋĜŅĹüŅų)ŞĜÚåĵĜÏ{ųåŞ±ųåÚĹ域
“As science and FĹĹŅƴ±ƋĜŅĹŸŠ){FšØŅųĬÚBå±ĬƋĘ
technology continue kųč±ĹĜDŽ±ƋĜŅĹƤŠBkš
WHAT THEY DID: ųå±ƋåÚƋĘåCOVID-19 Vaccine
to deepen, the need Global Access (COVAX)ŞĬ±ƋüŅųĵţke£
for multi-faceted ƵŅųĩŸƵĜƋĘčŅƴåųĹĵåĹƋŸ±ĹÚĵ±Ĺƚü±ÏƋƚųåųŸ
interdisciplinary ƋŅåĹŸƚųåčĬŅƱĬåŧƚĜƋ±ÆĬå±ÏÏ域ƋŅ
kF%ěŎĿƴ±ÏÏĜĹåŸØåŸŞåÏĜ±ĬĬƼüŅųĬŅƵåųě
collaborations will ĜĹÏŅĵåÏŅƚĹƋųĜåŸţ
become greater. PLAYERS INVOLVED: ÏĜåĹƋĜŸƋŸ±ĬĬŅƴåųƋĘåƵŅųĬÚ
ĂĆʼnέÚÁěěʼnùĩŅÁĢ WHAT THEY DID: ŞĬŅ±ÚåÚeěŅěƖčåĹŅĵå
ŸåŧƚåĹÏåŸŅĹƋĘåGlobal Initiative on
accelerated pace at Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID)ŞĬ±ƋüŅųĵØ
which we develop ƵĘĜÏĘʱÚĵŅųåƋʱĹŎţƖĵĜĬĬĜŅĹŸƚÆĵĜŸŸĜŅĹŸ
üųŅĵŎƀƖƤÏŅƚĹƋųĜåŸÆåƋƵååĹI±Ĺƚ±ųƼƖLjƖLj
ʼnĩěŖőĆĩĢʼnőĩĆàäÁʼn͠Ό ±ĹÚeŞųĜĬƤƖLjƖŎţFƋƤʱŸåűÆĬåÚƋĘåų±ŞĜÚ
Associate Professor Tan Cher Heng, ÚåƴåĬŅŞĵåĹƋŅüÚĜ±čĹŅŸƋĜÏƋåŸƋŸ±ĹÚ
Deputy Clinical Director, ƴ±ÏÏĜĹåŸØ±ĹÚƋĘåƋų±ÏĩĜĹčƤŅüƤĹåƵƴ±ųĜ±ĹƋŸţ
Centre for Healthcare Innovation,
Tan Tock Seng HospitalH E A LT H C A R E & I N N O V A T I O N
IN WITH SKIN
The success of Suu Balm points to dermatology,
where NHG intends to build an international
peak of excellence. A milestone was established
in 2013 with the launch of the Skin Research
Institute of Singapore (SRIS), a collaboration
between A*STAR, NHG, and NTU that links
scientists with clinicians and engineers to improve
skin health and reduce the burden of skin diseases
IRU$VLDQSRSXODWLRQVDQGbJOREDOO\
“Gone are the days when one can just focus
on an area of science, like skin biology, and be able
WRPDNHDVLJQLĆFDQWLPSDFWZLWKWKDWUHVHDUFK,
am a strong believer that great outcomes will only
come with the convergence of many disciplines
in science,” says Associate Professor Steven
Thng, Chief Dermatologist of SRIS. “That is why
SRIS brings skin biologists, biomedical engineers,
clinicians, and digital scientists into each of our
research programmes — to ensure that clinical
problems are tackled holistically.”
As one of SRIS’ founding partners, NHG
brings to the table its clinical expertise and
large patient base. “We provide clinical insights, While research is time-consuming,
problems, and questions to help focus and direct
the scientists’ research. When a new technology stressful, and frustrating at times, the joy
16 or drug is developed, our patients are key for of making a new discovery or innovation
WHVWLQJDQGYDOLGDWLRQë$3URI7KQJH[SODLQV+H
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SEP often represents SRIS whenever a commercial that advances the care of patients
2021 enterprise expresses interest in working with the äŪäĢέÙűÁěĆőőěäÙĆőġĩŅäέőĂÁĢ
Institute. He also runs all of SRIS’ clinical trials at
the P.H. Feng Research Centre, located at NCID. ÚĩġłäĢʼnÁőäʼnέùĩŅőĂäʼnÁÚŅĆƈÚäʼnūäġÁėä͠Ό
Two areas of research hold great potential. Associate Professor Steven Thng, Chief Dermatologist,
One is clinical bedside, non-invasive imaging. Skin Research Institute of Singapore
While skin imaging tools can now diagnose skin
cancer without the need for a biopsy, SRIS is in two new drug development projects with
working with A*STAR’s Singapore Bioimaging C&C Research Laboratories based in South
Consortium (SBIC) to develop a machine capable .RUHDDVZHOODV$6/$13KDUPDFHXWLFDOV
of generating 3D images of tumours. This will EDVHGLQ6LQJDSRUH$3URI7KQJLVRSWLPLVWLF
allow surgeons to examine tumours virtually SRIS runs clinical that both projects will result in novel
so that they can perform precise, personalised research trials therapeutics for atopic dermatitis, which
at the P.H. Feng
VXUJHU\7KHbVHFRQGLVDWRSLFGHUPDWLWLVD Research Centre, for a long time received little innovation
common condition in Singapore. SRIS is involved located at NCID. LQbWUHDWPHQW
Better treatment options will go a long
way towards improving the quality of life
and self-esteem of people suffering from
skin problems, in addition to saving them
money they would otherwise spend (in vain)
WRPDQDJHWKHLUFRQGLWLRQ+RZHYHUEHQHĆWV
go further. “The new knowledge generated
Photo: Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS)
will be crucial in capturing value for the
Singapore economy, in terms of attracting
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VD\V$3URI7KQJ+HDGGVWKDWDELJUHDVRQ
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has set up its regional
lab in Singapore is because the company
recognises the country’s ventures into skin
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Director of NHG’s Translational Research
2IĆFH 752 ê752ZDVHVWDEOLVKHGWR
chart the direction and strategy of NHG’s
research activities and align them with our
translational research foci, namely skin,
infectious diseases, mental health, ageing,
and population health,” he explains. “I work
with the various translational research
project leads to unlock internal funds to seed
those initiatives, as well as obtain extramural
grants such as from the National Medical
5HVHDUFK&RXQFLOb 105& ë
TRO facilitated the establishment of
the Wounds iCare Collaborative (WiCC)
Research and Clinical Workgroup. It brings
together representatives from various LQWHUYHQWLRQVLQbWKHJURXSVZKLFK
NHG institutions to consolidate efforts and BESIDES SRIS, OTHER ZLOOEHQHĆWPRVWDQGZKHUHLWPDNHV
resources in wound care management, and COLLABORATIONS economic sense at the systems level,”
also serves as a coordinating platform for FACILITATED BY TRO IN RECENT VD\V3URIb6HHW
collaborations with academia and industry. YEARS INCLUDE: For this to happen, close
“One important area to look at is Diabetic Rehabilitation Research partnerships between scientists,
Foot Ulcers (DFUs), given the high prevalence Institute of Singapore (RRIS), clinicians, administrators, and patients
of diabetes in our population. DFUs jointly established by NTU, — across primary, institutional, and
contribute to Singapore having one of the A*STAR, and NHG community care — are essential.
highest rates of lower-extremity amputation Health for Life in Singapore ê:HbQHHGWRGHYHORSDQHZOHYHO 17
LQWKHZRUOGëVD\V$3URI7KQJ (HELIOS) Study, a population of partnership with patients. It is
He adds, “Over the years, we have cohort study led by LKCMedicine, critical to elevate medical literacy in
established many partnerships with the in partnership with NHG and Singapore, and equip patients with the
aim of translating research outcomes into Imperial College London right knowledge and tools to better
evidence-based disease management, gAmes for heaLth InnoVations manage their medical conditions,”
especially in areas with high disease burden cEntre (ALIVE), launched by DGGVb3URIb6HHW
in Singapore that collectively coincide with LKCMedicine and NHG With the COVID-19 crisis still
NHG’s and partners’ strengths.” Palliative Care Centre for disrupting the global ecosystem,
Excellence in Research and 3URIb6HHWVD\VFROODERUDWLRQVQRZDQG
BƉB)Ɖ8~)ƉBjX% Education (PalC), set up by into the future should be, “Targeted,
Healthcare collaborations look set to gather Dover Park Hospice, LKCMedicine, Multiplier, Outcomes-driven.” Wise
pace. “As science and technology continue and NHG words indeed as all sectors, including
to deepen, the need for multi-faceted Brain Bank Singapore (BBS), healthcare, will have to be dynamic
interdisciplinary collaborations will become initiated by LKCMedicine, the and strategic to keep pace with the
greater. This calls for an accelerated pace at National Neuroscience Institute UDSLGO\bHYROYLQJFKDQJHVLQD
which we develop solutions to ideas,” says (NNI), and NHG SRVW&29,' HQGHPLFbZRUOG
$3URI7DQ1RWHYHQDSDQGHPLFFDQVORZ
things down, he notes. “Technology provides
opportunities for us to increase productivity
and enhance care beyond the hospital THE CASE FOR
and into the community through remote CLINICIAN-SCIENTISTS
means and patient activation. Virtual cross-
boundary discussions also allow us to engage To grow translational research activities, symptoms, and is not
JOREDOSDUWQHUVIRUUHVHDUFKDQGbLQQRYDWLRQë not only must NHG collaborate with curative. The only way
multiple partners; it also needs to do better for our
One imagines that digital technologies
clinician-scientists to helm such projects. patients is through
will stretch the possibilities of what can be
Many clinicians may feel apprehensive research,” he stresses.
achieved in the future. For example, with the
about performing this dual role, due to “While it is time-consuming, stressful,
ability to analyse big datasets and machine the demanding training requirements and frustrating at times, the joy of
learning, doctors can radically improve and significant time commitment. But making a new discovery or innovation
their understanding of health and diseases A/Prof Thng appeals to their altruistic that advances the care of patients
and make better treatment decisions with nature. “Most of the time, medicine — even by a little bit — more than
patients. “The way ahead is to stratify as it is practised today just alleviates compensates for the sacrifices we make.”
populations such that we can target earlyK E E P I N G T H E V I RU S AT B AY
WHY
I DECIDED
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ĂäÁěőĂÚÁŅäūĩŅėäŅʼnÁŅä BY PROFESSOR CHONG SIOW ANN
PSYCHIATRIST // VICE-CHAIRMAN
JUL ŅäěŖÚőÁĢőŪÁŰŰäŅʼn͠ MEDICAL BOARD (RESEARCH) //
SEP INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
IT
2021
FINALLY ARRIVED.
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