CNA938 Rewind - Singapore warns of slowdown in second half of 2025, as it keeps monetary policy steady
New statistics show osteoporosis is on the rise in Singapore, with many cases now being detected through integrated care service. Although osteoporosis is becoming more common, it often goes undiagnosed and untreated in Asia. What has contributed to the rise in osteoporosis cases? And has the patient demographic changed over the years? Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng find out from Prof Manju Chandran, Senior Consultant and Director, Osteoporosis and Bone Metabolism Unit, SGH & Chairperson, Asia Pacific Consortium on Osteoporosis (APCO).
CNA938 Rewind - Japan and earthquakes: How prepared is the country for quakes?
A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's far east on Wednesday (Jul 30) prompted tsunami alerts and evacuations stretching across the Pacific Ocean, affecting countries such as Japan and Hawaii. Japan, part of the area known as the Pacific ring of fire, is one of the world's most quake-prone countries. Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng find out how prepared the country is for natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis from Robert J. Geller, a seismologist in Japan.
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CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
MOE briefing students on dangers of Kpods; teachers warned they can be sacked if caught vaping
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Education (MOE) has instructed all public schools to brief students on the harms and penalties of using Kpods, amid rising concerns over youngsters using such drug-laced vapes. These mass briefings – to be conducted at primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and Millennia Institute – are part of the ministry's education efforts against vaping that will complement ongoing preventive measures, an MOE spokesperson told CNA. 'Students will also be reminded to be vigilant about vape peddling activities near schools,' the spokesperson added. This comes after a Primary 4 student from Fairfield Methodist School (Primary) was allegedly approached to buy vapes outside his school last month. CNA understands all primary schools have been told to brief Primary 4 to Primary 6 pupils by Friday (Aug 15). MOE staff have also been warned that they could be subject to disciplinary action and penalties, including being fired, if they are caught vaping or are found with a vape device, according to a circular seen by CNA. Kpods, also known as 'zombie vapes' or 'space oil', are laced with chemicals such as etomidate – a fast-acting anaesthetic used in medical procedures. Side effects can include vomiting, muscle spasms and seizures. The device is commonly known as a Kpod because they are sometimes also laced with ketamine, another anaesthetic that has hallucinogenic properties. SUPPORT AVAILABLE At Xishan Primary School, for example, students have been told through a briefing earlier this month that vapes are 'harmful to your body and mind', and that support is available to those looking to kick the habit. They were told that vapes – including Kpods – can damage their lungs, affect their concentration, and are as dangerous as smoking. Students have been urged to report any vape peddlers to a trusted adult, and reminded that vapes can be disposed safely at several bins around the country under the 'Bin the Vape' initiative launched last month. Authorities have said that those who bin their e-vaporisers or voluntarily seek support for quitting will not face any penalties for doing so. Schools can tailor the content of the presentation based on their student profiles. CNA understands that MOE is teaming up with the Health Promotion Board to amplify the message through skits and other engaging activities at schools. PARENTS GETTING INVOLVED Parents and guardians have also been roped in to join the fight. They have been briefed via Parents Gateway on the health and legal risks of Kpods, signs of addiction and ways to support their children. These include watching out for behaviours like hiding vape devices, which can be disguised as ordinary items like pens. Teachers whom CNA spoke to emphasised that schools need to intervene consistently with talks and other programmes, even before kids get involved with vaping. They also said they hope parents continue these conversations at home so that their children receive guidance in what has been a complex issue. CHILDREN, TEENS VULNERABLE TO KPODS Etomidate, which has been found in one in three vapes seized by the authorities in Singapore, will soon be classified as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Once this comes into force, those caught using etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to mandatory supervision and rehabilitation. Repeat offenders may be prosecuted and jailed for at least a year. Those caught selling, distributing or importing etomidate-laced e-vaporisers will be subject to more severe penalties, including jail time of up to 20 years and caning. Medical professionals previously told CNA that etomidate is extremely dangerous when used outside a controlled medical environment. When its effects start to wear off, users may experience withdrawals such as increased anxiety and agitation. They may also get hallucinations and fall into a dissociative state. Psychologist Annabelle Chow told CNA's Singapore Tonight programme that young children and teenagers are vulnerable to Kpods as their brains have not yet fully developed to make mature or wise decisions. 'This is the time where they start to have more ideas of their own. They are a bit more assertive with their opinions and choices. They accept more peer influence compared to parent influence. If you don't have a preexisting solid relationship with them, it will make having conversations very difficult,' she added. 'At that age, and depending on how the Kpod is marketed to them, it can get quite dangerous.' While Dr Chow said she has not treated children aged 10 to 13 dealing with Kpod addiction, she has patients who have 'expressed quite intense anxiety' over peddlers near primary schools who can potentially reach their children. The principal clinical psychologist at Annabelle Psychology added that she advocates for open dialogue at school and at home. 'It's really important that children receive consistent messages from all the adults around them – from the schools, from our government, from parents,' she added.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Children at 2 preschools in Toa Payoh, East Coast to be screened after staff member diagnosed with tuberculosis
SINGAPORE: Children from two preschools will be screened for tuberculosis after a staff member was found to be infected with active tuberculosis disease, a spokesperson from the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Tuesday (Aug 13). Children at MindChamps Preschool at East Coast will be screened on Tuesday, while those from MapleBear Toa Payoh will be screened on Friday. CDA, which said it was notified of the diagnosis on Jul 15, did not specify the number of children who would undergo screening but told CNA that anyone who had "close and prolonged contact" with the diagnosed individual would be screened. Contact tracing was initiated after laboratory tests confirmed the tuberculosis diagnosis. CDA also conducted a site visit to assess the setting and identify the classes, staff and groups who would require screening. The agency added the diagnosed staff member 'promptly' began tuberculosis treatment, and was placed on medical leave to prevent further transmission. The staff member is recovering well, is non-infectious and continues to receive treatment, said CDA. CNA has reached out to both preschools for more information about the number of children affected. Persons with active tuberculosis disease usually become non-infectious within two weeks once treatment starts, the agency said. In its reply to CNA, CDA noted that tuberculosis is endemic in Singapore, but it is both curable and preventable. Individuals with latent tuberculosis have no symptoms and cannot transmit the disease. Appointments and chest X-rays at the National Tuberculosis Screening Centre will be arranged for contacts who require preventive medication to reduce the risk of developing active tuberculosis disease. A second round of screening will be held at MapleBear Toa Payoh in mid-September, 10 weeks after the date of last exposure. This is in line with national and international guidelines, said the agency. 'This timing helps pick up infections that may not appear in the first test for MapleBear Toa Payoh,' CDA said. It added that there will only be one screening for identified persons in MindChamps PreSchool at East Coast due to the 'difference in exposure period'. Responding to queries by CNA on the protocols in place, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that when there is any known or suspected case of tuberculosis, preschools are required to promptly notify ECDA, parents and the CDA. Hygiene, cleaning and disinfection measures to safeguard the health and well-being of all children and staff must also be implemented, ECDA said. 'As part of their regular health surveillance protocols, preschools also conduct daily temperature and health checks on all children, staff, and visitors upon arrival, and must not admit any individual who is unwell or display symptoms of infectious diseases,' ECDA added. In December 2019, a case of active tuberculosis was found at the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots at Bukit Batok. In 2016, preschool children at Little Greenhouse's Bukit Batok had to be screened for latent tuberculosis after a teacher was diagnosed with the disease. TIMELINE OF EVENTS According to a Jul 17 letter sent by MapleBear Toa Payoh to parents and seen by CNA, the staff member had 'officially left' the school two days prior on Jul 15. The staff member remained in 'good health' till her last working day on Jul 4, before she went on pre-scheduled leave from Jul 7 to 9. On Jul 10, she submitted medical leave for Jul 10 to 11, the school said in another letter to parents. On Jul 12, she submitted an extended medical certificate covering Jul 11 to 24, citing a 'recent health issue' without providing further details. No diagnosis was stated on the medical certificate. The person only informed the preschool via email that she was on hospitalisation leave due to a tuberculosis disease diagnosis on Jul 15. The preschool notified parents on Jul 16 and on the same day, reported the case to the Ministry of Health on Jul 16. It informed ECDA the next day, Jul 17. Parents of children at the Toa Payoh preschool who had close contact with the staff member were told on Aug 5 – several weeks after they first learned of the case – about the upcoming tuberculosis screening. CONCERNS FROM PARENTS Several parents who have children enrolled in the Toa Payoh preschool told CNA that information about the incident was not forthcoming. Mr Lim, whose three-year-old daughter who will be tested on Friday, said there was a lack of communication between parents and the school, as well as with CDA. 'Parents were trying to dig for more information from the school,' he said, adding that staff had to be continuously 'pressed' about what the tuberculosis protocols are. He acknowledged that the school faced limitations and was waiting for updates from CDA. Many parents had personally reached out to the agency but received little clarity on what the screening would involve. In a message sent to parents on Monday (Aug 12), MapleBear Toa Payoh said that it had not received a response from CDA regarding queries and the details of the screening scheduled for Friday despite sending 'multiple follow-ups'. Mr Lim also questioned why the screening was only taking place a month after the staff member's diagnosis. 'Such things are inevitable, but some parents were really freaking out. We should have received more updates as the days went along,' he said. 'Our primary gripe is that CDA took so long to tell us the next steps,' the 35-year-old creative director said. His wife, Mdm Chong, said her daughter has a respiratory condition. The mother expressed concern about how her child's lungs could be affected if she contracted tuberculosis. The couple also has an older son in a different class at MapleBear Toa Payoh. They were not informed of any screening for their son. 'Why are other age groups not being tested? My son is in the school too. Aren't they all interacting? The (staff member) also has no clarity on which (staff member) will be tested. What about the cooks and cleaners?' asked Mr Tan. Another parent, Mr Teo, who also has a six-year-old child enrolled in the same school, agreed that the scope for screening could be broadened. 'Even if the (staff member) wasn't assigned to our child's class, there could have been contact in common areas like hallways, play zones, or during arrival and dismissal times,' he said.
Independent Singapore
3 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
HCA Hospice aims to raise S$500,000 from annual charity walkathon 'Walk With Me 2025'
SINGAPORE: HCA Hospice has announced the launch of the registration for their annual charity walkathon, 'Walk With Me 2025,' with a call to action for the community to come together and support its mission to provide holistic care to terminally ill patients and their families. The community-driven charity walk and fundraiser event, now in its third edition, aims to rally 1,800 participants to collectively raise S$500,000 to support HCA's patient-centred and family-focused care model, which advocates dignity, diversity, and development for all individuals. The annual charity walkathon will be held on Oct 19 at the Marina Barrage and will be graced by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Digital Development and Information, as the Guest-of-Honour. Themed 'Journeying Together, Step By Step,' the hospice invites participants of all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, individuals in wheelchairs, and even pets, to join and support the cause. Despite the rain on 20 October 2024, there were over 1,300 participants for the HCA Walk With Me Charity Walkathon, walking 6km at Marina Barrage and raising almost $340,000 to support HCA Hospice's patients and families. According to HCA Hospice, the funds raised from the walkathon will go towards expanding its reach to meet the growing needs of Singapore's rapidly ageing population. 'As the nation's largest provider of home-based hospice services, HCA Hospice is committed to expanding its reach with a goal to increase its patient capacity by 50%, from 2,400 to 3,600 patients in 2025,' said HCA Hospice in a media release. 'Together, one step at a time, we can ensure that dignity, comfort, and compassion remain at the heart of every end-of-life journey.' As of Aug 13, the charity walkathon has made significant progress, raising S$33,000 from 248 generous donors. The fundraising campaign is still ongoing and will continue to accept donations until Oct 19. In 2024, Walk With Me raised S$375,715, which has supported close to 140 patients and their families, and enabled over 1,500 home visits by HCA's dedicated multidisciplinary care teams. 'With your help, we can walk alongside more families, ensuring no one faces the final chapter alone,' added the hospice. Participants will be able to choose to participate in either the 6km Physical Walk on Oct 19 or the 60km Virtual Walk, which is ongoing until Oct 18. Those who register for the Physical Walk will receive an exclusive event pack, while Virtual Walk participants can track their progress, unlock inspiring stories, and receive commemorative e-medals at each milestone as a symbol of their meaningful contribution. Registration for the 6km Physical Walk is currently ongoing, and those who sign up by Aug 15 will be able to enjoy an early bird rate of S$31.20 instead of the full fee of S$39. The first 1,800 participants get an exclusive event pack which includes a Quick-DryWalk With Me 2025 T-shirt, a drawstring backpack, a running bib, as well as specially curated goodies and walk essentials. Participants of the Physical Walk will also be able to take part in the Virtual Walk at no additional cost. 'I am grateful for the community's support and look forward to journeying together with the rest of the participants. It's a wonderful way to give back and make a difference in the lives of those who need it most,' shared Mr Simon Tan, with The Independent Singapore, who has taken part in the previous charity walkathon. The hospice is also encouraging participants to set up individual or group fundraising pages, with attractive prizes awaiting the top individual and group fundraisers. They can share their progress on their respective social media pages and tag HCA Hospice using the following hashtag: #HCAWalkWithMe #CreatingGoodDays. Those interested in taking part in HCA Hospice's 'Walk With Me' charity walkathon may refer to the details below; Physical Walk: October 19, 2025, 8:00 a.m. at Marina Barrage Virtual Walk: Now until October 18, 2025 6km Physical Walk: $31.20 (early bird rate, usual price $39) 60km Virtual Walk: Free participation Register here –
