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Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Technology can help efforts to shift healthcare delivery towards the community: Ong Ye Kung
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung interacting with nurses at an event organised by National University Health System to mark Nurses' Day on July 24. SINGAPORE – The use of technologies such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) can help bolster national initiatives such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG by shifting the delivery of healthcare away from hospitals towards the community, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on July 24. Speaking at an event organised by National University Health System (NUHS) to mark Nurses' Day, he said there is a 'strong, ground-up proliferation' of good potential uses of AI in healthcare . These will be implemented 'thoughtfully and judiciously', he added. Technology will allow nurses to carry out their work more productively, said Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies. 'It's impossible for technology to replace the work of a nurse, but it can make your job better,' he added. During the event, NUHS highlighted several examples of new technology it is adopting, such as the Endeavour AI Fall Risk Assessment tool, which uses AI to analyse a patient's medical history, medication list and mobility status to predict their risk of falling. It is expected to be introduced at the National University Hospital later in 2025. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Set to be implemented by end-2025, this system is aimed at enhancing response times to patient needs while reducing the frequency of routine physical rounds by enabling nurses to remotely monitor and interact with multiple patients in real-time through live video feeds. NUHS group chief nurse Catherine Koh said care needs are evolving rapidly as Singapore's population ages and more are living with chronic conditions. 'These changes to transform the roles and competency of nurses help ensure they are supported to practise effectively, with the right tools, education and autonomy to focus on what matters most: delivering quality care,' said Dr Koh. Technology was one of four key thrusts outlined by Mr Ong for Singapore's healthcare agenda in the coming years as the country handles an ageing population with increasing healthcare demands. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Technology was one of four key thrusts outlined by Mr Ong for Singapore's healthcare agenda in the coming years as the country handles an ageing population with increasing healthcare demands. Healthcare manpower must be developed and reskilled amid the sector's changing landscape, with the Government working with healthcare clusters and institutes of higher learning to develop skills pathways for nurses and other professionals. The Republic will also 'deepen and broaden' the implementation of national health strategies such as Healthier SG, Age Well SG and Grow Well SG, the Health Minister said. He noted the authorities are now in the second phase of implementing preventive health initiative Healthier SG, with it being imperative that those enrolled in the scheme go to their general practitioners for follow-ups and check-ins. 'It is important for them to build this health-seeking habit and see their family doctor even though they are not sick. We must build up strong community and environmental support that encourages our residents to lead healthier lifestyles,' he said, adding that they should try to quit smoking and take part in more active physical activities. Meanwhile, as part of healthy-ageing initiative Age Well SG, Mr Ong said active ageing centres (AACs) must expand their programmes and outreach, as well as strengthen their healthcare services via community health posts – touch points for easy access to health services near the homes of seniors. Promising care models are also emerging, Mr Ong said, pointing to the example of the Happy Village @ Mei Ling community space under NUHS' Health District @ Queenstown, which provides health screenings, vaccinations and exercise in the heart of the community. Expanding healthcare infrastructure is also a key priority as healthcare demand rises, with Mr Ong citing as examples the new integrated general and community hospital in Tengah – to be built by the early 2030s – as well as new polyclinics in Yew Tee and Taman Jurong, which will come with 'sufficient qualified manpower and nurses' to operate them. NUHS will expand its manpower with the redevelopment of Alexandra Hospital as well as the new hospital in Tengah, noted NUHS chief executive Yeoh Khay Guan. This additional manpower will allow the opportunity to accelerate transformation efforts to the new model of care, he said at the event. The event, held at the NUHS Tower Block on Kent Ridge Road, recognised the contributions of 160 nurses under the health cluster.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly
Apart from being a health peer, this polytechnic graduate is also a grassroots leader who makes meaningful use of his time to help the community As a Health Peer volunteer with the National University Health System, Mr Donavan Tan (right) was paired with Madam Chiang Kam Yoke to encourage her to adopt healthier eating habits. Once a month, 88-year-old Madam Chiang Kam Yoke meets a young man at a coffeeshop in Jurong West for an hour of happy conversation over her kopi siu dai. The young man is 20-year-old Donavan Tan, and though they were once strangers, both Mr Tan and Madam Chiang now share a precious bond, honed through a volunteering opportunity. As a Health Peer volunteer with the National University Health System (NUHS), Mr Tan was paired with Madam Chiang in July last year as she was identified to be at risk of developing diabetes. His job? To offer peer support and encourage her to adopt healthier eating habits. Watch to learn why Mr Donavan Tan chooses to spend his time volunteering and engaging seniors like Madam Chiang. During their monthly meet-ups at the coffeeshop, they would spend time catching up, with Madam Chiang updating him about her recent day-to-day activities and the courses she signed up for to keep occupied. Mr Tan would also take the opportunity to stress to her the need for a healthy diet and to show care and concern for his friend. 'I would ask her if she's been able to walk properly,' he says, noting that Madam Chiang has weak knees due to wear and tear. Once strangers, Mr Tan and Madam Chiang now have a unique but enduring friendship. PHOTO: SPH MEDIA During Chinese New Year, the two also exchanged red packets. 'We even 'bai nian' at the coffeeshop,' laughs Mr Tan, referring to the tradition of exchanging New Year greetings with Mandarin oranges. Serendipitously, what started as a three-month volunteering stint has now turned their relationship into a heartwarming friendship. Mr Tan catches up with Madam Chiang once a month and occasionally buys her a 'cheat meal' of prata to lift her spirits. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DONAVAN TAN From participant to practitioner Supporting Madam Chiang as a health peer is not Mr Tan's only volunteering stint. He also helps out at the NUHS community health screenings, while supporting the wider community through his work as a grassroots leader with the People's Association, and also at his constituency's weekly Meet-the-People Sessions (MPSes). When he found out NTUC Learning Hub was providing basic care support training, he signed up for that as well and was deployed to NTUC Jurong West nursing home where he assisted nurses in providing patient care. Interestingly enough, Mr Tan, who has recently been enlisted for National Service, describes the start of his volunteering journey as 'accidental'. SGShare: How more S'poreans can help the vulnerable Singaporeans now have a new platform to help fellow Singaporeans in need . To mark SG60, Community Chest's regular giving programme, Share, has been rebranded as SGShare to rally more to give regularly and support critical social service programmes. Starting this year, donations will be matched by the Singapore Government under the SG Gives matching grant, with up to $250 million available. Every dollar donated will help vulnerable communities, offering them opportunities to pursue their goals regardless of background. Here is a simple illustration of how your SGShare contribution can go a long way. In 2022, during his first semester break at Singapore Polytechnic, Mr Tan wanted to use his time more meaningfully. This came up while chatting with his secondary school teacher, who suggested he try helping out at the MPS – and so he did. 'I just walked in one random Monday and told them I want to volunteer,' he recalls. At these sessions, he meets people from all walks of life. What really tugged at his heartstrings were the elderly, especially those with health issues – interactions that deepened his interest in the medical sector and spurred him to volunteer with NUHS. Says the biomedical science diploma graduate: 'Volunteering provides me with a platform to help others; to uplift them, and to support them in improving their circumstances.' As a grassroots leader, Mr Tan (far right) also helps to promote various causes like racial and religious harmony. PHOTO: COURTESY OF DONAVAN TAN Meeting others who did not have the same access to healthcare as he did also pushed him to pursue further studies in medicine at the National University of Singapore. 'I want to serve, but from a medical standpoint,' says Mr Tan. 'Being a doctor is also about diagnosing and treating their non-medical needs for holistic care. Volunteering has also taught me a lot about how to interact with individuals of diverse age groups, racial groups and socioeconomic groups.' Mr Tan shares that individuals can always volunteer without feeling the pressure to commit long term. 'Whether you are comfortable talking to people, or prefer working in the background, there are roles for everyone.' Inspired to uplift others like Mr Tan does? This SG60, give back to our community in your own way. Visit and help build a more caring, inclusive Singapore. Celebrating SG60 with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth
