Forum: Gym should have been included in CC's plans
I live near Thomson Community Club, which is finally opening in August, looking grand and beautiful. As an older person nearing 60, I was looking forward to having a cost-effective gym near me so that I can heed the Government's call to stay healthy and strong.
When I went to the community centre to inquire about gym facilities, I was told that a tender is being conducted for an operator.
The centre has been closed for six years, since April 2019, and I can't understand why it has taken so long to conduct a tender.
The Government is pushing Healthier SG and Age Well SG programmes, and we all know Singaporeans have long lifespans ( 84 years on average ) but poor healthspans ( 74 years on average ).
The call to healthy living in Singapore as we age seems to be thwarted by poor planning.
Chen Jia Shuan
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
UK scientists find genes linked with chronic fatigue syndrome
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A study showed that eight areas of genetic code are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy people. LONDON - Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Aug 6 they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness. Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers. The finding provides 'the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease,' the researchers said in a statement. The key features of the condition include worsening of fatigue, pain and brain fog after even minor physical or mental activity. Very little has been known about the causes of ME/CFS, and there is no diagnostic test or cure. The condition is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, the researchers said. The DecodeME study analysed DNA samples from 15,579 people who reported having chronic fatigue on a questionnaire and 259,909 people without it, all of European descent. Gene variants that were more common in people reporting ME/CFS were linked to the immune and nervous systems, according to a report of the study that has not yet been peer-reviewed. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore S'pore and Indonesia have discussed jointly developing military training facilities: Chan Chun Sing Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong left out of SEA Games contingent At least two of the gene regions relate to how the body responds to infection, which aligns with reports that the symptoms often start after an infectious illness, the researchers said. Another gene region has previously been identified in people with chronic pain, another common symptom of the condition. The findings 'align with decades of patients reporting on their experiences,' researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said in a statement, adding that they 'should prove game changing in the ME/CFS research field.' 'These results will not mean that a test or cure will be developed straight away, but they will lead to a greater understanding,' he said. Scientists who were not involved in the study said using volunteers who self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome rather than restricting participation to those with a diagnosis from a medical professional somewhat weakened its conclusions. They called for larger studies to replicate the results. Substantial work will be necessary 'to translate these findings into new treatments,' said Dr Jackie Cliff, who studies infection and immunity in ME/CFS at Brunel University of London. 'This will take considerable investment in academia and by industry.' AFP
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Predictive AI can be the prescription for future of Singapore's healthcare
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The real transformation is not about replacing doctors with AI, but about empowering them with it. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced in June that Singapore will integrate predictive AI into its national Healthier SG. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's announcement in June 2025 that the country will integrate predictive artificial intelligence (AI) into its national Healthier SG marks a significant turning point. Leveraging health records and AI to forecast disease risk years in advance will allow the industry to chart a course for a more proactive, preventive and personalised era of medicine.
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Think menopause symptoms start at 50? Debunking myths about the change
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox In Singapore, women typically reach menopause at the average age of 49, or between 45 and 55. SINGAPORE – There are prevalent misconceptions about menopause, including confusion about when it occurs, what symptoms are 'normal', and how long they last. Some, for instance, may not know that women can spend several years in perimenopause – the period leading up to menopause – with symptoms such as joint pain and hot flushes. Fatigue, mental health issues and memory lapses may also occur during perimenopause, but women, who would still be having their periods – although irregularly – could mistake these symptoms as normal signs of ageing. Many also do not realise that the hormonal changes that start from perimenopause affect not only the woman's reproductive organs, but also her whole body, said Associate Professor Rukshini Puvanendran, co-director of the KK Menopause Centre at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. The centre, launched In October 2023, is a multi-speciality practice comprising gynaecology, family medicine, dermatology and mental health specialists. It has been managing an average of 60 new cases a month. The number of women with perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms seeking help is expected to rise due to increasing awareness and an ageing population, said Prof Rukshini, who is also the head and senior consultant at KKH's Family Medicine Service. She discusses perimenopause and debunks some of the myths surrounding it in the Aug 6 episode of the ST Health Check podcast hosted by senior health correspondent Joyce Teo. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' Singapore ST Explains: What is a track point fault and why does it cause lengthy train disruptions? Singapore 81 primary schools to hold ballot for Phase 2C of Primary 1 registration Singapore Three people taken to hospital after fire in Punggol executive condominium Sport Young Lions and distance runner Soh Rui Yong out of SEA Games contingent Singapore Elderly man found dead in SingPost Centre stairwell could have been in confused state: Coroner Singapore Two workers died after being hit by flying gas cylinders in separate incidents in 2025 Singapore Man recruited victim to open bank account, forced him to drink urine after account was frozen Myth #1: I won't have menopause symptoms till I am 50 In Singapore, women typically reach menopause at the average age of 49, or between 45 and 55. This is the point when menstrual periods have ceased for 12 consecutive months, a result of declining hormone levels. However, a woman is in perimenopause when her periods become irregular and she has signs of low oestrogen levels such as hot flushes or night sweats, provided there is no other diagnosis. These symptoms typically surface a few years before menopause, but they can last up to 10 years prior to that. Perimenopause generally happens around the early 40s to early 50s, although most women become aware of the transition in their mid- to late 40s. Some women may even experience symptoms as early as their late 30s. Perimenopause is typically diagnosed based on symptoms. Given the fluctuation in hormone levels, a blood test may not always provide more insights than the symptoms, said Prof Rukshini. Myth #2: Hot flushes is the top menopausal complaint Hot flushes and night sweats are the commonly known signs of menopause, but they are not the most reported issues here. In Singapore, researchers have found that aches in the muscles and joints are the top menopausal complaint among women, affecting between 30 and 40 per cent of them. This was established in 2023 in two studies conducted by the National University Hospital and the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine under a longitudinal study of midlife women in Singapore called the Integrated Women's Health Programme. Not every woman will complain of aches or hot flushes. Some women experience numerous symptoms that significantly impact their daily lives, while others may have very few or mild symptoms. Myth #3: Perimenopause only affect the reproductive system Hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect a woman from head to toe – from her skin, brain, teeth, heart and bones to her muscles and emotions. It may leave women feeling vulnerable and uncertain. There can be physical symptoms such as night sweats, sleep disturbances, memory problems and vaginal dryness, as well as emotional symptoms such as unexpected mood swings, depression and decreased sex drive. Hormonal changes can even impact bone and joint strength. Some women may also have heart palpitations or the feeling that their heart is racing. Prof Rukshini had a patient who had palpitations even though her heart rate, which she had measured with her wearable device, was normal. The patient, a doctor, sought help from a cardiologist, who found nothing amiss after giving her a full cardiac evaluation. She later went to see Prof Rukshini for her hot flushes, and after going on hormone replacement therapy felt that her palpitations went away. Myth #4: Menopause lasts for a few years Once a woman has reached menopause, she is in it for the rest of her life, said Prof Rukshini. This is also called the post-menopausal stage of her life, and women today are probably spending more than one third of their lives in post-menopause. Menopause symptoms are at their highest intensity during perimenopause. Symptoms, such as hot flushes, usually end within five years after the final period, though some women experience them well into their 60s, she said. Other symptoms of low oestrogen levels, such as vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, bone loss, and skin and hair dryness, will continue throughout life as the body is unable to produce adequate estrogen. Myth #5: Painful sex and urinary tract infections are a part of getting older Some women experience painful sex, frequent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence after menopause. Symptoms associated with changes in the genital and urinary systems are collectively known as the genito-urinary syndrome of menopause. The syndrome can be safely treated with vaginal oestrogen in the form of a cream or a tablet. Unlike menopausal hormone therapy, vaginal oestrogen has a much lower dose of the hormone. Prof Rukshini has patients as old as 90 on this treatment to prevent vaginal pain and discomfort. Their urinary incontinence symptoms will also improve and they have less frequent urinary tract infections. Myth #6: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) will give me breast cancer Women who reach menopause early are usually treated with MHT until the natural menopause age of 49. There is data to show that women in early menopause who are not treated will have worse health outcomes like heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis, said Prof Rukshini. MHT is the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) and genito-urinary syndrome of menopause (vaginal dryness and associated urinary symptoms). It has been shown to be generally safe for most women below the age of 60 who have bothersome menopausal symptoms, when given within 10 years of the menopause.
