News & Stories

HR Tech Festival Asia 2024: What’s happening on Day 2

​At the Chief HR Officer (CHRO) Symposium at HR Tech Festival Asia 2024 on 25 April 2024, the panel discussing on topics relating to the importance of agility at work in organisations will include Ms Priscilla Teo, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, National University Health System.

How to fix healthcare insurance and preserve care continuity for patients

​A commentary by Dr Jeremy Lim and Dr Jake Goh Jit Khong from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health highlighted the renewed debate over whether private insurers should restrict MediShield Life Integrated Plan policyholders to specific doctor panels. The writers acknowledged escalating healthcare costs, insurance's role in risk pooling, and the interdependence of payers, providers, and patients, and proposed prioritising value in healthcare by focusing on quality, patient experience, and cost.

We need regulation to save kids from mobile device addiction

​In a commentary by Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, he noted the irony of Singaporean parents prioritising academic success yet allowing unrestricted access to mobile devices for their children. While acknowledging the necessity of personal learning devices in education, Prof Teo drew from examples in France and China and proposed stricter measures to curb children’s excessive screen time and protect their well-being.

The impact of children's unhealthy lifestyle on disease risks: Insights from a Singapore study

NUS ​Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health conducted a study on 546 children aged between two and eight and found that 18 per cent of these children consistently displayed detrimental behaviour such as limited physical activity, excessive screen time, and poor dietary choices. The study also found that these habits were strongly linked to a higher risk of prehypertension, indicating potential cardiovascular issues later in life. Socioeconomic and environmental factors, including shorter durations of breastfeeding, lower parental education levels, and household income, were identified as contributors to these unhealthy behaviours.

• MSN, 25 April 2024, The impact ofchildren's unhealthy lifestyle on disease risks: Insights from a Singaporestudy
  

Research network to study ovarian ageing and its link to women’s health

​The NUS Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality (ACRLE) has joined forces with Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (TLL) to establish a collaborative research network to study ovarian ageing and its link to women’s health. Dr Huang Zhongwei, Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, National University Hospital and ACRLE's Deputy Director, underscored the synergies of this partnership in leveraging TLL's expertise in micro-level understanding alongside ACRLE's focus on translational research.

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 25 April 2024, 国大研究：女性卵巢功能早衰或影响健康和寿命 (NUS research: Ovarian ageing and its link to women's health)
  

Acid reflux on the rise

​A/Prof Asim Shabbir, Senior Consultant, Division of General Surgery (Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery) at Alexandra Hospital and National University Hospital shared that hot weather may disrupt sleep cycles and lead to reduced exercise and weight gain, triggering episodes of acid reflux and GERD. Dr Kewin Siah, Senior Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, National University Hospital advised that susceptible individuals should stay hydrated, avoid large meals before outdoor activities in hot weather, and manage their stress levels.

Mr Ow Sing Fuak, a patient of Dr Siah, highlighted the importance of self-care and discipline for GERD sufferers and how he now leads a healthier lifestyle through adjustments to his diet and habits.

一心多用刷屏不断 当心“爆”出爆米花脑 (Multitasking and constant screen swiping, beware of “popcorn” brain)

​Ms Terri Chen, Head and Senior Principal Psychologist, Department of Psychological Medicine, said people who have trouble maintaining their focus is an increasingly common scenario. Dr Chan Hui Minn, Principal Psychologist, Department of Psychological Medicine, NUH, said some people may actually have a diagnosable disorder linked to the ageing brain, while others are presenting this way due to overexposure to social media and the Internet in general. 

How to support someone who (might be) struggling with infertility

​The article quoted National University Health System’ figures on infertility which currently affects about 15 per cent of couples in Singapore. While some factors include age, hormonal issues and abnormalities in the reproductive organs, a large percentage of the cause of infertility falls under the category of ‘no obvious reasons’.

Thyroid nodules

​Dr Donovan Eu and Dr Charmaine Tan, Consultants from the Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, NUH, explained what thyroid nodules are, as well their symptoms and treatment options, including a minimally invasive procedure known as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) used to effectively reduce the size of benign thyroid nodules in symptomatic patients and improve their quality of life. They also answered questions sent in by listeners about the topic.

Accelerating advancements in healthcare

​SingHealth’s first supercomputer, CHROMA, is being used to train an AI model capable of evaluating an individual's risk for a severe cardiac event, which is a part of the project called APOLLO, a collaboration amongst agencies including NUH and A*STAR.

脊椎侧弯 别等到曲度变大才求医 (Scoliosis: Don’t wait until curves are big to seek medical attention)

​Prof Wong Hee Kit, Emeritus Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital (NUH), and National University Spine Institute, National University Health System, said there is a genetic predisposition for scoliosis, but the risk and severity of its occurrence cannot be predicted.

His patient Faith Tan wore a brace to keep her scoliosis from getting worse, but she did not do so for the recommended 18 hours every day. She eventually had spinal fusion surgery in NUH when she was 14. Her mother also had mild scoliosis. Prof Wong said surgery is warranted if the spinal curvature is greater than 45 degrees and listed the two types of surgery for scoliosis.

Minum air sejuk boleh sebabkan fibrilasi atrium? Apa yang perlu anda tahu tentang penyakit yang berpunca daripada degupan jantung tidak teratur (Can drinking cold water cause atrial fibrillation? What you need to know about diseases caused by irregular he

​Asst Prof Lim Toon Wei, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, emphasised that atrial fibrillation (Afib) stands as the most prevalent and clinically significant heart rhythm disorder. He noted that approximately 0.5 to 1 per cent of adults in Singapore suffer from Afib, with an increased risk of stroke and heart failure, particularly for individuals with abnormal heart valves. Asst Prof Lim shared the risk factors and common symptoms of the condition, as well as treatment options, including pulsed field ablation.

New Singapore-based think-tank to prepare Asia for biological threats

​The Asia Centre for Health Security (ACHS) aims to prepare Asia for current and emerging biological threats, as well as improve health security in the region. Prof Hsu Li Yang, Director of ACHS and Vice Dean of Global Health at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), said the focus of the centre includes all manner of catastrophic biological threats, rather than just zoonoses.

Established with the help of generous philanthropic funding, ACHS is steered by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in areas from public health and clinical practice to global health law and policymaking. ACHS, based primarily at SSHSPH, will work closely with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in areas such as research and training. The launch of ACHS on 17 April was held in conjunction with the Southeast Asia Strategic Multilateral Biosecurity Dialogue, a regional health security meeting hosted by the Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security.

9 factors behind Singapore’s status as a hub of cancer treatment and care in Asia

​Report noted that one of the key factors leading to Singapore being a preferred destination within Asia for oncological treatments is domestic institutions such as National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, which is at the forefront of cancer research and treatment, attracting talent locally and internationally.

Health Matters: How and why should you reduce thyroid nodules?

​Dr Donovan Eu, Consultant, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, NUH, explained what thyroid nodules are and discussed treatment options, including a minimally invasive procedure known as radiofrequency ablation that is used to effectively reduce the size of benign thyroid nodules in symptomatic patients and improve their quality of life.