News & Stories

搭配全息投影技术 病人静脉跃然眼前 (With holographic projection through 5G technology, patient’s veins appear before one’s eyes)

National University Health System (NUHS) Holomedicine programme was showcased as one of the cutting-edge projects that are part of the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s $30 million 5G Innovation Programme. The NUHS indoor private 5G Enterprise and mobile-edge computing network has been deployed in 10 operating theatres since August 2023 and three inpatient wards since early November 2023. 

Dr Gao Yujia, Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer, NUHS, and Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, National University Hospital, explained that in preparation for complex surgeries such as liver transplants and brain tumour removal, the doctor and the patient each wear a HoloLens device to view the patient's 3D scan as part of patient education prior to the procedure. 

He also said the technology can be used to identify patients’ veins for blood-taking, greatly enhancing the success rates of blood draws for patients with small veins. With 5G-enabled technology, the time it takes for patients’ scans to be converted to 3D images has also been reduced from approximately 20 to 25 seconds to less than one second.

Team gets $10m grant to find ways to fight drug-resistant bugs

Former ChildAid performer in separate fundraiser

​On 30 November, former ChildAid performer Dr Azariah Tan will perform alongside pop and jazz songbird Joanna Dong, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) senior pharmacist Teo Poh Yin and other artistes to raise funds for palliative care patients. Organised by NCIS in aid of the NCIS Cancer Fund, The Last Mile Concert will be held at School Of The Arts’ concert hall. Tickets to The Last Mile Concert are available from Sistic.

国大研究：女性多吃蔬菜全谷物等 妊娠患高血压糖尿病风险较低 (NUS study: Women who consume more vegetables and whole grains have a lower risk of developing hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy)

​A study by the Global Centre for Asian Women's Health (GloW) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine found that adhering to the Mediterranean diet was beneficial to women's reproductive health. In randomised controlled trials, women following the Mediterranean diet had a 26 per cent lower risk of gestational diabetes, a 55 per cent lower risk of preterm birth, a 29 per cent lower risk of gestational hypertension, and an 18 per cent lower risk of pre-eclampsia. The diet was also found to be beneficial for fertility and pregnancy weight management.

Singapore announces partnerships to develop 5G solutions

​The Natioal University Health System (NUHS) indoor private 5G Enterprise and mobile-edge computing network has been deployed in 10 operating theatres since August 2023 and three inpatient wards since early November 2023. Dr Gao Yujia, Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer, NUHS, said the holomedicine technology relies heavily on data and NUHS has integrated its devices with 5G to significantly enhance transmission speed and real-time data processing.

生活小学堂：挑选书包 (Back to school: Choosing schoolbags)

​Dr Lau Leok Lim, Senior Consultant, National University Spine Institute, National University Health System, said a schoolbag should not be more than 10 per cent of a child’s weight and that children can reduce its load on the spine, such as by carrying some books in the arms. He gave practical tips on choosing a schoolbag that is appropriate for a child.

• 8world, 29 November 2023
  

Daughter who helps dad fulfil his last wish of dying at home: 'It was not easy'

​Mr Chen, a beneficiary of the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) Cancer Fund, was in his late 80s when he started chemotherapy at NCIS. Dr Esther Chan, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS, said he was found suitable for compassionate discharge with end-of-life support at home being made available. Ms Hazel Foo, Senior Medical Social Worker, National University Hospital, said bringing him home was a tough decision for the family, especially his daughter. The family could access the NCIS Cancer Fund within just a day and were able to bring in private nurses who took care of him in his last days at home. Details of The Last Mile Concert, with tickets being available at Sistic, were mentioned.

• Stomp, 28 November 2023, Daughter gets help as cancer-stricken dad fulfils his last wish of dying at home: 'It was not easy'
  

Pameran Kesihatan Lelaki tingkat kesedaran barah (Men's health exhibition raises cancer awareness)

​The Men's Health Exhibition aims to raise awareness about cancers that usually afflict men while also empowering them to get checked. The event, which is a collaboration with agencies including National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, features sharing from experts as well as game booths.

Jumpa doktor jika risau hadapi barah prostat (See a doctor if you`re worried about having prostate cancer)

Dr Arshvin Kesavan, Associate Consultant, Department of Urology, National University Hospital (NUH), said a strong family history would be the biggest risk factor for prostate cancer. He added that patients who are known carriers of certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA (BReast CAncer gene), are also at risk.  

National University Health System is actively providing free information about prostate cancer through its website and that of National University Cancer Institute, Singapore's (NCIS). The NUH Urology Department has specialist cancer nurses who manage prostate cancer patients, offering counselling services and advising them on the various avenues to seek help and funding for treatments. NCIS works closely with the Singapore Cancer Society and actively encourage patients to join the Prostate Cancer Support Group – The Walnut Warriors.

Just one week on low-salt diet can reduce blood pressure: US study

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, shared the significance of a US study that revealed the beneficial impact of salt reduction on blood pressure. He highlighted how a 5mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure could translate into a substantial 10 per cent reduction in the risk of major cardiovascular events.

• Red Hot Singapore, 27 November 2023, Just one week on a low-salt diet can significantly improve blood pressure
  

• Shin Min Daily News, 27 November 2023, 研究：一周低钠饮食有助降低血压 (Study: Low-sodium diet for a week helps in reducing blood pressure)
  

为什么新加坡应推进免疫细胞治疗 (Why Singapore should advance immune cell therapy)

​A commentary by Prof Qi-Jing Li from A*STAR underscored the importance of immune cell therapy, given its potential to cure cancer and highlighted the work of Prof Dario Campana from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, who has successfully treated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in ten patients by utilising genetically modified T cells.

Singapore’s public hospital bed crunch: Are radical solutions needed?

The article follows the Talking Point episode on the topic of bed waiting times in the Singapore healthcare system and National University Hospital’s (NUH) efforts in optimising resources to manage the issue. 

Dr Jonathan Ong, Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology and Ms Lucinda Tay, Advanced Practice Nurse, shared on the pre-strategising discussions and plans put together to ensure caregivers are able to bring home a patient when he/she is medically fit. Mr Jeremy Lee, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, NUH, explained that NUH patients’ average length of stay hovers around 5.5 days, compared with the national average of seven days, and NUH’s strategies to achieve that.

Dr Stephanie Ko, lead clinician of the NUHS@Home programme highlighted how the programme helps to free up beds in NUH by allowing patients to access acute hospital care from the comfort of their home. Mr Sai Aung Lin, Operations Manager, Housekeeping, in NUH explained why a swift bed turnaround is vital to make sure that patients get timely care.

A/Prof Jason Yap and Adj A/Prof Jeremy Lim from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health also elaborated on the calculation of hospital wait times and potential policies and measures to better manage the complex challenges.

本地大脑研究重大突破 有望为脑部疾病提供新疗法 (Critical breakthroughs for local brain research, hope for new treatments for brain illness)

​A research initiative led by A*STAR, with the collaboration of over 50 researchers from institutions such as NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, recently published its findings in the "Nature" journal in November 2023. The researchers discovered, for the first time, the functional mechanism of a key brain cell, which will provide new treatment ideas for brain diseases such as dementia, Parkinson's disease and depression.

Investing in helping disadvantaged kids boosts their earnings

​A study on Care Corner Singapore’s Circle of Care (CoC) programme reveals that an investment of $20,000 over five years helps a child from a disadvantaged background reach an equal footing with his more well-off peers. The CoC actively contributed to shaping the development of the Health and Development Support in Pre-school Partnerships, which was formed in collaboration with the NUH's Child Development Unit and focuses on identifying, assessing, and providing early support for children's health and developmental needs.

保健基金发放医药费援助2022财年减5%至1.56亿元 (Medical fee assistance disbursed by MediFund reduced by 5% to $156m in FY2022)

​Despite a decrease in the number of applications for MediFund assistance, the average amount disbursed to patients has increased. Notably, SGH retained its position as the highest distributor of public health assistance, a trend consistent with previous years, with NUH coming in second.