SINGAPORE — In a combined signing ceremony, the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps (SAFMC) signed Memorandums of Understanding with the National University Health System (NUHS), and NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH). The two MOUs were signed as part of SAFMC’s efforts to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility for SAF servicemen, deepen clinical expertise of SAF’s healthcare professionals, and to enhance resilience and preparedness across a range of healthcare crises. The MOUs were signed by Brigadier-General (BG)(DR) Lee Wei Ting, Chief of Medical Corps, with Professor Aymeric Lim, CEO of National University Hospital (NUH), and with Professor Teo Yik Ying, Dean of SSHSPH today.
Strategic Partnership between SAFMC and NUHS
NUHS has been a long-standing partner to the SAFMC in the areas of training and patient care. Since 2019, SAF’s combat medics and paramedics have been undergoing clinical attachments at NUH and Ng Teng Fong Hospital to enhance their skills and experience in emergency care. In a more recent collaboration, about 1,000 pre-enlistees were seen by NUHS physicians across various medical and surgical disciplines. This allows the early identification of medical issues and ensures that pre-enlistees can be properly evaluated, enhancing their readiness and overall well-being before enlistment.
The MOU between SAFMC and NUHS will build on existing initiatives and enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services to SAF servicemen; foster stronger professional exchanges and training of healthcare staff and strengthen Singapore and the SAF’s resilience and preparedness during healthcare crises.
Highlighting the strategic value of the partnership to the SAF, BG(DR) Lee Wei Ting, said, “This partnership with the National University Health System signifies SAF’s commitment to the health of our people. We hope to integrate cutting-edge research, educational excellence, and advanced medical practices into the care of our soldiers. This will strengthen the SAF’s capability to safeguard their health and support their operational effectiveness.”
On NUHS’ partnership with SAFMC, Professor Aymeric Lim said, “This MOU builds on years of collaborative efforts between NUHS and SAFMC, and we hope to bring that partnership to the next level. This MOU will also enable SAF servicemen to benefit from more specialised and integrated care. We also want to enhance the training opportunities and professional exchanges between the two organisations because there is so much we can learn from each other. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we are stronger together. By working more closely in peace time, we can ensure greater integration during crisis, and we will have a large pool of resources to tap on synergistically when weathering storms together.”
Strategic Partnership between SAFMC and SSHSPH
As chronic diseases continue to rise and the threat of infectious disease pandemics remain, the MOU with SSHSPH demonstrates SAF’s commitment to safeguard the well-being of its servicemen and ensure SAF’s operational readiness through evidence-based and data-driven health policies and preventive programmes.
On the partnership with SSHSPH, BG(DR) Lee Wei Ting highlighted that, “This partnership with Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health underscores SAF’s holistic approach to healthcare, recognising that the benefits of our efforts extend beyond the individual’s time in NS, promoting long-term health throughout their lives. The impact of this partnership will be felt not only by the individual, but also by the community. Together, we can build a healthier Singapore”.
Highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership, Professor Teo Yik Ying said, “By supporting the SAFMC in areas such as population health research, health services research, and policy and programme evaluation, we not only help the SAF provide higher quality care to all servicemen, but also have the opportunity to gain insights into population health trends that would be valuable at the national level”.
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