All hands on deck at public hospitals

​A doctor tells of seeing her young daughters for only half an hour each day, while others share the challenges and fears they face in the fight against the coronavirus

Cartoonist Sonny Liew teams up with doctor to produce comic strips on coronavirus

​Singapore's award-winning graphic novelist Sonny Liew has worked with Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, the programme leader for infectious diseases at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, to produce a series of comic strips to educate the public about the coronavirus outbreak.

Prof Hsu said they chose the topic as they felt it was important to help people understand that this coronavirus is different from the Sars, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, virus.

正确服用抗生素 (Use antibiotics right)

​zbComma highlighted that A/Prof Hsu Li Yang from SSHSPH and graphic artist Sonny Liew had co-authored a graphic novel, The Antibiotic Tales, to reach out to a younger audience and raise public awareness about the risks of antimicrobial resistance. A/Prof Hsu noted that teenagers and young adults are less frequently prescribed antibiotics as they are at their most healthy and fall ill less often, but they should still check that they are taking the right dose and frequency, if prescribed by doctors.

Can the coronavirus be spread through the air?

​Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, provided expert comments on whether staying indoors with the air-conditioning will help avoid catching the virus.

Transmission only via droplets and contact, say S’pore experts / Switch off air-con, let in fresh air to cut infection risks: Experts

​A/Prof Hsu Li Yang, Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, was part of a press conference to brief the media on what is being done to fight the 2019-nCoV on both the science and health fronts. TODAY highlighted that Singapore researchers are working to deploy a vaccine against the diseases, although it could take some time to develop.  A/Prof Hsu noted that it could take “probably a year” before there is a vaccine that is commercially available, as it needs to be safe and proven effective.  ST also noted A/Prof Hsu’s comments that air-conditioned space could help to spread respiratory droplets.  Hence, keeping windows and doors open can help to reduce the spread of diseases.   

US expert confident of S’pore public health system / International commission to create road map for healthy longevity

Reports highlighted that over 200 delegates are in Singapore for the two-day “Health Care Systems & Public Health: A Workshop for the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity Initiative” to discuss challenges and opportunities in healthy longevity. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor highlighted the importance of “developing multi-disciplinary solutions to maximise the number of years lived in good health and a state of well-being.

On the workshop continuing in Singapore despite the global coronavirus situation, President of NAM Prof Victor Dzau noted that the international delegates had travelled to Singapore as the situation “is contained and the public health system is so good in Singapore… so there is no worry in coming”. Prof John Eu-Li Wong, co-chair of the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity Commission said that the Government and healthcare sector here are following the best practices, that “we have been approaching this prudently, so we still allow life, business and work to continue as best as possible.”

• The Straits Times, 4 February 2020, Page A7 and B6
• Lianhe Zaobao, 4 February 2020, Page 7

Get ready for the new normal in public health

​In this commentary, Associate Professor Jeremy Lin (Co-director of Global Health) pointed out that disease outbreaks are going to be the ‘new normal’ and that Singapore will continue to be exceptionally vulnerable. He suggested three areas in which Singapore would have to adapt: internalisation of personal hygiene norms; building trust and empathy; and striking a balance between containment and normalcy.

Singapore Hosts International Commission on Healthy Longevity

The human race is at the cusp of a demographic transition, experiencing rapidly ageing populations coupled with declining birth rates all around the world. To successfully mitigate this and build a critical support framework, the United States of America's National Academy of Medicine (NAM) is spearheading an international, independent and multidisciplinary initiative to develop a Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity that will identify – through evidence-based recommendations – the necessary priorities and directions for improving health, productivity and quality of life worldwide.

Singapore is privileged to be chosen as the site for the two-day Health Care Systems & Public Health: A Workshop for the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity Initiative, organised by NAM from 3 to 4 February 2020, in partnership with the MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT), the National University Health System (NUHS), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF).

Experts: S’pore’s ability to deal with threat has improved since Sars

​Professor Chia Kee Seng (Senior Epidemiologist) commented that there is a good chance that Singapore will see little or no community spread of the virus if the country keeps up with the measures we have been taking so far. While caution is good, he advised against panicking or being over fearful.

 Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang (Programme Leader of Infectious Diseases Programme and Co-director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation) pointed out that compared to the Sars outbreak, Singapore has had more lead time to reach this time round. He added that the Wuhan virus may be harder to contain than Sars although so far the mortality rate does not appear to be as high as that for Sars.

 Professor Teo Yik Ying (Dean) commented that Singapore has done well on in terms of having a coordinated approach on several fronts to tackle the threat of the virus.

Coincidence that bats are the hosts for the virus

Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang (Head of Infectious Diseases Programme and Co-director of the Leadership Institute for Global Health Transformation) commented that the Wuhan pneumonia infection rate (seems) quite high compared to that for the common flu, although it may be too early to tell. He observed that the transmission rate of the virus is not the highest compared to (something like) measles, which is 12-18 times. He pointed out that the infection rate also depends on the environment, with the infection rate naturally getting higher if there are more people concentrated within an area.

A/Prof Hsu went to say that the symptoms of the Wuhan virus seem to be somewhere between Sars and the common cold. However like Sars, a vaccine cannot be expected to be developed in the short-term, with the entire process likely to take at least a year. Finally he suggested that people verify information they get through MOH’s website and cautioned against fear-mongering and spreading false rumours.

Exercising after a big feast

​农历新年期间，遇上武汉肺炎疫情，许多人避免到人多的地方，选择在家休息、享受大餐或打麻将。不过多吃会增加体重，久坐也对健康不好。该如何通过运动保持身体健康？本报请物理治疗师提供一些简单而实用的建议。

When age is just a number

​Associate Professor Reshma Merchant (Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine) commented that beyond the physical, mental and social realms, active ageing is also about giving back to society and the community. She also commented about the benefits of active ageing, which includes staving off stroke, warding off frailty and dementia and keeping chronic conditions like diabetes under control.

Father and daughter go into nursing together

​The article profiles Mr Joshua Liew, 49, an ex-lecturer who made a mid-career switch into Nursing by enrolling in NUS Nursing’s 2-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme offered under the Professional Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (Degree).

Caring for her father inspired PhD graduate to take on nursing

​The article profiles Ms Juliet Choo, a PhD graduate and ex-educator, who made a mid-career switch into Nursing by enrolling in NUS Nursing’s 2-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme offered under the Professional Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (Degree).

NParks moves to curb inappropriate conduct at hot spring

​The National Parks Board (NParks) has deployed additional staff and signs with guidelines at Sembawang Hot Spring Park to advise users on proper behaviour following recent reports of visitors misusing the facilities.