News & Stories

让科学走入生活 (Let science be part of life)

​Commonwealth Secondary School Eco Club’s teacher-in-charge Mr Jacob Tan shared how he stimulates students’ interest in science by using living materials. Together with art studio Wild Dot, he led 20 Eco Club students in the creation of an exhibition featured at this year’s Arts&Health Festival organised by NTFGH and JCH.

The project made from botanical ink is inspired by the koi pond in JCH’s Healing Garden, and patients were involved in painting the tiles. The exhibition will be ongoing till end November before the artworks are displayed in wards and clinics for patients and visitors to enjoy.

Drive to cut Singaporeans' sodium intake by 15% Nearly 150 caterers have already switched to low-sodium salt

​To get Singaporeans to cut their sodium intake by about 15% over the next five years, the Health Promotion Board is urging people to replace their regular salt with lower-sodium alternatives and will work with retailers to make these substitutes more affordable. A recent local study by NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health found that an incremental reduction in sodium intake significantly improves health, even for those with normal blood pressure. Dr Jasper Tromp of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health said a reduction in sodium consumption would lead to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and low-sodium salt is safe for consumption.

 In a related Channel NewsAsia 938 interview, Asst Prof Mary Chong of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, noted that in Singapore, the key contributors to salt intake are food seasonings and the best way to identify hidden salt is to read the food label that includes the ingredient list and nutritional food panel. She said that besides being beneficial to one’s health, changing to low-sodium salt can significantly reduce sodium without noticeably changing the taste of the food.

• The Straits Times Online, 28 September 2022, S'poreans consuming too much salt: HPB calls for switch to lower-sodium alternatives
  
• The Straits Times Online, 28 September 2022, About 150 caterers have switched to low-sodium salt, ahead of push to cut S'poreans' sodium intake
  
• The New Paper, 28 September 2022, S'poreans consuming too much salt: HPB calls for switch to lower-sodium alternatives
  
• Lianhe Zaobao, 29 September 2022, Page 5, 专家：减盐挑战比减糖更大 (Experts: Salt reduction more challenging than sugar reduction)
  
• AsiaOne, 28 September 2022, Go easy on salt: HPB urges Singaporeans to switch to lower-sodium alternatives

感谢国大医院团队 (Thank you, NUH team)

​In a forum letter, a patient expressed her appreciation towards Dr Lim Wei Sian, Associate Consultant, Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, NUH, and his team, as well as NUH staff nurses Ms Chung Kin Mei and Ms Jessey Chia who took care of her while she was hospitalised. She highlighted Dr Lim’s clear explanations, fluency in Mandarin and friendly disposition. The patient also commended the nurses for their warmth, care and positive work attitude.

Taking health more seriously: Duan WeimingTaking health more seriously: Duan Weiming

​ST noted that local actor Duan Weiming was hospitalised at NUH after a surgery to amputate part of his left leg in early September due to diabetes. The article, which featured the actor’s life since his amputation, also indicated that he has follow-up appointments at NUH.

本地医院时隔两年再办艺术与健康节 (Local hospitals organise physical Arts&Health Festival after two years)

​This year’s Arts&Health Festival organised by NTFGH and JCH focuses on sustainability and features artworks co-created by over 150 patients, community partners, hospital staff and artists. The sixth edition of the festival takes place from 28 – 30 September, showcasing exhibitions, performances and workshops for the public.

Mr Lee Sze-Chin, an art therapist at JCH, engaged patients with dementia to create an exhibition to explore their memories of birdwatching. NTFGH CEO Dr Quek Lit Sin shared that the activities are meaningful and will boost the morale of patients and healthcare staff.

如何减少钠摄取量？(How to reduce sodium intake?)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre Singapore and Chairman of Singapore Heart Foundation, discussed how people can replace their regular salt with lower-sodium alternatives to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease. 

儿童睡眠障碍专家　吴炎添获颁卓越临床医生导师奖 (Paediatric sleep disorder expert Daniel Goh was awarded the National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award)

​Lianhe Zaobao, Straits Times and 8world reported that A/Prof Daniel Goh, Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Pulmonary Medicine, KTP-NUCMI, NUH and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, NUS Medicine received the National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award at the National Medical Excellence Awards. Reports highlighted that A/Prof Goh had contributed significantly to the clinical, research, and education in paediatrics in Singapore, in the region and internationally, and he had mentored paediatricians for over nearly 30 years. 

• Straits Times, Page A14, Two who played key clinical roles during pandemic receive medical excellence awards 
  
• Straits Times Online, National Medical Excellence Awards go to 5 docs, 2 community care teams
  
• 8world, 共有五人和两团体获颁今年卫生部全国医学卓越奖 (Total of five individuals and two teams have been awarded the Ministry of Health’s National Medical Excellence Awards 2022)
  

Healthcare clusters to help residents manage their health

Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said that as part of Healthier SG, the three health clusters – National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth – would move beyond running hospitals and polyclinics to focus on keeping their resident populations healthy through a range of medical and social measures. 

Min Ong also explained that to facilitate the move to preventive care, the clusters would be funded based on the size of the population under their care. He added that Ministy of Health would work closely with the clusters to study the next steps for implementing the objectives of Healthier SG, including factors that affect physical, emotional and mental health, and also engage community partners to shape initiatives that would set Singapore on the path to better health.

• Channel NewsAsia Online, 26 September 2022, Healthcare clusters to manage residents' health by region, run more community interventions under Healthier SG
  

• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 September 2022, 王乙康：三医疗群集须着重预防疾病 (Ong Ye Kung: Three healthcare clusters must focus on disease prevention)
  

• Berita Mediacorp, 26 September 2022, Jagaan kesihatan penduduk diurus ikut daerah; lebih banyak inisiatif masyarakat SG Yang Lebih Sihat (The healthcare of the residents is managed by district; more Healthier SG community initiatives)
  

• Today, 27 September 2022, Healthcare clusters to manage residents' health by region, run more community interventions under Healthier SG
  

• The New Paper, 27 September 2022, Healthcare clusters to help Singapore residents manage their health 
  

多做肌力与平衡锻炼 预防老年跌倒 (Do more muscle strength and balance exercises to prevent falls in old age)

​Dr Ng Chong Jin, Assistant Professor at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, wrote a commentary highlighting that as Singapore’s population ages, falls not only lead to increased morbidity and mortality, but also reduced quality of life and physical functioning. To prevent falls from occurring, it is important to implement a plan to reduce risk factors.

IMH launches nationwide study to assess state of mental health among young people in Singapore

​The Institute of Mental Health (IMH) has launched a nationwide study to identify specific issues, challenges and common psychological problems that affect young people in Singapore. Known as the National Youth Mental Health Study, IMH researchers will interview about 2,600 people aged from 15 to 35 years old, and work with national youth mental health outreach and assessment service CHAT and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

• Yahoo! News, 27 September 2022, 2600 to participate in 1st nationwide study on youth mental health in Singapore
  

• MSN, 27 September 2022, 2,600 to participate in 1st nationwide study on youth mental health in Singapore
  

• Berita Mediacorp, 27 September 2022, IMH lancar kajian seluruh negara, nilai keadaan kesihatan mental golongan muda di Singapura (IMH launches  a nationwide study on the value of the mental health of young people in Singapore)
  

Tracing Ripples

​Tracing Ripples is one of the six exhibitions featured at this year’s Arts&Health Festival organised by NTFGH and JCH. Art studio Wild Dot’s co-founder Ms Liz Liu and Commonwealth Secondary School Eco Club’s teacher-in-charge Mr Jacob Tan shared the process of creating the artwork with JCH patients. They also elaborated on the significance of this creative collaboration to create a healing environment for patients and visitors.

The programme mentioned that this year’s Arts&Health Festival is taking place from 28 – 30 September, and it will feature exhibitions, workshops and performances for the public to enjoy. After the festival’s opening events, exhibitions will be ongoing till end November before the artworks are displayed permanently in the hospitals’ wards and clinics.

Bincang mitos tentang barah buah dada (Discussing myths about breast cancer)

​Ms Nadirah Selamat, Radiographer, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, NUH, discussed several misconceptions about mammograms at a fireside sharing session organised by Berita Harian and the Breast Cancer Foundation. Titled "Early Detection Saves Lives, Saves Breasts", the fireside sharing session is posted on Berita Harian's Facebook. 

NUS scientists develop magnetic method to grow meat

​An interdisciplinary team from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation and Technology and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) has found a novel use for magnetic pulses to grow cell-cultured pork and has so far successfully validated its approach with pork muscle cells. A/Prof Alfredo Franco-Obregon, NUS Medicine, led the research and explained that a 10-minute exposure of these cells to pulsing magnetic fields could cause them to multiply better and survive longer than the outcome of adding animal serum to cells. The research was published in scientific journal Biomaterials in August.

Treat second-hand smoke as a public health threat controlled with regulations

​A forum letter discussing the risk of heart failure in relation to second-hand smoke cited research led by Asst Prof Yvette van der Eijk, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. The recently published article in the Tobacco Control journal called for residential second-hand smoke to be seen as a public health threat and controlled with specific regulations to limit second-hand smoke in multi-unit housing.

The heroes who help the heroes: SCDF’s Special Response Unit does more than firefighting

​Channel NewsAsia featured the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s (SCDF) Special Response Unit (SRU) to mark its 20th anniversary in 2022. The article noted that among the SRU’s main stars is the mass decontamination vehicle designed by the SCDF and first used in 2016. The vehicle was a result of collaboration among SCDF, medical doctors serving National Service with SCDF, academic researchers from the Department of Physiology at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and HOPE Technik.