News & Stories

Vertical COVID-19 transmission low in SG

​A cohort study conducted by NUH, KKH and SGH suggests that the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection from mothers to newborns is rare. Out of 371 mother-infant pairs studied, only four infants were diagnosed with COVID 19 after birth. The study found that vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk of moderate-to-severe disease and ICU admission for both mothers and newborns.

如何帮助家人戒酒？(How to help family members kick alcohol addiction?)

​Mr Chew Tee Kit, Senior Medical Social Worker, NTFGH, shared that people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) tend not to have insight to their alcohol use. The most crucial step to kick alcohol addiction is to recognise that their drinking is a problem. For people whose loved ones are struggling with this issue, it should be noted that relapse is part of the recovery journey. It is important to continue supporting them and to know that there are always resources available to support the patient.

• 酒精使用障碍可否治疗？(Can alcohol use disorder be treated?)
  

Vitamin D and pregnancy: Why mother and baby need it – and why women should not supplement on their own

​A study involving 1,700 women between 18 and 38 years old in Singapore, New Zealand and the UK, and conducted by agencies including National University Hospital and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of  Medicine (NUSMed) found that nine out of 10 women in these countries had marginal or low levels of Vitamin D around the time of conception. A/Prof Chan Shiao-Yng from National University Hospital and NUSMed said a lack of Vitamin D has been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, as well as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.

1800人检测基因助医生更精准用药 (1,800 people undergo DNA tests, raising doctors’ precision in the prescription of medication)

National University Health System, whose participating institutions include National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and National University Hospital (NUH), is currently conducting a pilot study known as the PPGx (Pre-emptive Pharmacogenomics Programme) to enrol 2,000 participants by 2025, with the objective to get a sense of how the population reacts to common drugs. 

Prof Goh Boon Cher, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology at NCIS explained that one of the study’s key objectives is to help doctors identify which drug and dosage work best for the patient and which type of drug to avoid. Dr Elaine Lo, Lead Pharmacist of the PGx pilot and Principal Clinical Pharmacist, NUH shared that study outcomes, if positive, could provide the team with sufficient basis to convince the relevant authorities to incorporate PPGx as an approved approach towards precision medicine.

Lianhe Zaobao interviewed an NCIS patient living with an autoimmune disease who took part in the study, where she emphasised the importance of understanding genetic predispositions to medication reactions for individualised treatment.

• Lianhe Zaobao, 29 April 2024, 志愿者： 参加药物基因试点研究利人利己 (Volunteers: Participation in PPGx pilot study benefits others and oneself)
  

• Shin Min Daily News, 29 April 2024, 助医生更有效开药 1800志愿者加入试点研究 (1,800 volunteers join pilot research project to help doctors prescribe medication more effectively)
  

Professor William Ledger and Dr Huang Zhongwei on developments in assisted reproductive technology

​Dr Huang Zhongwei, Consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, National University Hospital and Deputy Director of the Bia-Echo Asia Centre for Reproductive Longevity and Equality, and Prof William Ledger, Head of Discipline, Women’s Health at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales explained how artificial intelligence is helping women better know their chances of conceiving as they get older.

• ScienMag, 26 April 2024, The quest for longevity starts in the ovaries
  

The truth about hearing loss

​In an article on hearing loss, research findings from a study conducted by NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine was cited, which suggested that using hearing restorative devices can reduce the risk of long-term cognitive decline by 20 per cent, offering hope for mitigating its impact.

Climate change need not mean more dengue cases if cities are built better: Experts

​Prof Ooi Eng Eong, a joint professor at NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, emphasised the importance of mosquito population control when planning future cities, and taking into account how warmer temperatures may drive more people into urban areas where mosquitoes thrive. He advocated for proactive measures, such as integrating mosquito control into urban planning, and stressed the need for dengue vaccines despite their imperfections.

Mak dah takda harapan lagi. Tinggal tunggu masa je. (There’s no more hope left for mom, just waiting for her time to go.)

In this Malay language podcast series titled “Fitrah”, Dr Norhisham Bin Main, Head of Division & Senior Consultant, Supportive Care & Palliative Medicine, NTFGH, introduced listeners to palliative care, how it is practised in the inpatient setting, and the resources available for terminally ill patients and their caregivers.

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.