Does intermittent fasting shed those kilos? Here are 7 things you should know

​CNA Insider featured Dr Zulkarnain Abdul Hamid, Consultant, Emergency Medicine Department, NUH, based on CNA Talking Point’s interview with him earlier on the topic of intermittent fasting. Dr Zulkarnain started intermittent fasting three years ago and had lost more than 20 kg in the first year. 

Liver donor gives baby new lease of life

​A man’s decision to donate a part of his liver without hesitation has given a new lease of life to a baby girl.All Mr Sakthibalan Balathandautham was concerned about was that “a life was at stake”.

女人, “爱心”从年少开始 (Women, “Love your heart” from young)

In the commentary by Dr Laureen Wang, Associate Consultant, Department of Cardiology, NUHCS, she highlighted that ageing gracefully for a woman requires not only looking after her outward physical appearance but also taking care of her physical health on the inside. Similar in efforts to maintaining a youthful appearance, the investments into looking after heart health will pay off well when she starts off early on in life.

World Hearing Day 2021 – First Singapore study on SMF’s outcome on Hearing Loss

Dr Gary Lee, Head of Audiology at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, led in the first commissioned study by AIC on the impact of the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund’s (SMF) 2013 extension of subsidies by 90% for the cost of hearing aids for individuals aged 60 and above. 102 individuals who had received such devices between 2013 to 2015 were surveyed and the oldest respondent was 96 years old. The outcome was encouraging, with 87% responding positively that they experienced improved quality of life after they were prescribed hearing aids. The study also shed light on reasons for why most patients seek help only when their hearing loss is already between moderate to severe, and that more attention and early intervention could help encourage regular use of hearing aids, so as to optimise government funding and improve its effectiveness, and more importantly, help patients achieve better quality of life, mental health, interpersonal relationships and communication.

• Lianhe Zaobao , 3 March 2021, Pg 9 (PDF, 2.12mb)

   

Global Covid-19 herd immunity may take nearly 5 years, new data suggests

The Straits Times quoted Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), who noted that as more people are vaccinated around the world, a better understanding will emerge of whether the present vaccines are able to prevent or at least significantly minimise the risk of infections and transmissions, on top of preventing severe disease. 

No flu cases at S’pore polyclinics in more than 8 months

​ST quoted A/Prof Hsu Li Yang, Vice Dean of Global Health and Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who noted that not everyone may have sought treatment especially if they had a mild infection. He said that it is also plausible that a significant minority of people might have avoided seeing their GPs or polyclinic doctors for mild acute infectious symptoms in 2020, in order to avoid getting tested for COVID-19 and getting five days of medical leave.

每六名65岁或以上年长者有一人在过去一年内跌伤 (One in every six seniors aged 65 and above suffered from a fall in the past year)

​In a webinar hosted by NUS Medicine titled “Policies and Programmes to Manage Fall and Fracture Risks Among Seniors”, A/Prof Reshma Merchant, Department of Medicine, NUSMed and Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, NUH, shared that based on a survey study carried out in Bukit Panjang, one in every six seniors aged 65 and above had suffered from a fall in the past year, and that seven out of 10 seniors are afraid of falls. The webinar also included discussions on policies and ways to prevent falls and fractures for the senior population in Singapore.

Rise in vaping trend sparks worry

​Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said it is important to highlight that vaping is an extremely dangerous innovation as it attracts young people to pick up the nicotine habit, and this serves as a gateway towards long-term reliance on nicotine. He pointed out that there are many who started off vaping before switching to regular cigarettes.

阿叔医院付账单 遇2医学生热心协助 (Two medical students assisted man to pay hospital bills)

​Shin Min Daily reported that two fifth year medical students from NUS Medicine had kindly helped a man to settle his hospital bill while they were at SGH. The students came across the man who was enquiring about his payment while suffering from leg pain. The students approached the reception to ask for the details before settling the payment for him. The man repaid the amount and was so touched that he called Shin Min Daily to express gratitude to the two medical students.

Circle of Care scheme helps track needy kids’ health, development

​A programme to help children from low-income families has had a positive impact, a study showed. Children who had been through Circle of Care – a support initiative for pre-schoolers in various aspects such as healthcare and primary school transition – showed results. Among other benefits, the children were better able to participate in physical activities independently and pay attention in class.

Eligible individuals who refuse Covid-19 vaccine endanger themselves and others

​The Straits Times quoted A/Prof Alex Cook, Vice Dean of Research, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, and Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, who discussed the need to achieve herd immunity to cut the spread of COVID-19 and how people who are eligible for the vaccine yet refuse to be vaccinated can potentially harm others who genuinely cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. 

More help needed for low-income families to meet children’s needs

​Childcare leave is important for low-income parents to be able to prioritise the health and developmental needs of their children, especially in the early years, said Dr Chong Shang Chee, head and senior consultant of the Child Development Unit at the Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute at the National University Hospital.

Hurting the hands that heal: Cases of abuse, harassment of public healthcare workers on the rise

In an online article following Min’s comment on the uptrend of abuses of HCWs in Parliament recently, SNC Pauline Chong of AH was quoted. She said, “Nurses under such circumstances may feel discouraged and down when they encounter such patients,” she added, noting that it is important during induction and refresher training to educate nurses on psychology and human behaviours.”
 
Ms Chong added that AH makes the distinction between patients who are angry, aggressive and depressed and those who are mentally ill, under stress or experiencing anxiety.”

调查：寻求医疗服务阻碍多 低收入家庭孩童较难按时复诊治疗 (Study: Low-income families face obstacles in seeking medical services for timely follow-ups)

​调查团队反映，复诊困难的一些原因包括家长难以联系、没有时间带孩子复诊，或认为孩子没必要接受专科服务。这些家庭可申请经济援助，因此团队认为经济条件不是主要因素。

Beat pregnancy blues

​Ms Alice Yu Yuebo thought she was lucky because she had a worry-free pregnancy with no morning sickness.But around the five-month mark, she suffered from water retention so bad she could not recognise herself in the mirror. She tried to hide her face when she had to buy flipflops five sizes larger.