Latest news with #YikKengYeong
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: MOH supports healthcare providers in safeguarding patient databases
Find out what's new on ST website and app. We refer to Dr Yik Keng Yeong's letter ' Doctors may need help preventing cyber attacks on patient databases ' (July 22). Cyber security is a shared responsibility. Government systems such as the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) are designed with robust cyber and data security measures in place to protect Singaporeans' health information. These include technical safeguards such as firewalls, security tools to detect and mitigate attacks, and ongoing monitoring and investigation of suspicious activities. In turn, systems connected to the NEHR are also required to have appropriate security measures in place. We understand the concern that GPs may have, and have ensured that white-listed clinic management systems meet the requisite cyber-security standards. Healthcare providers play an important role in ensuring that they have robust arrangements in place as to how their clinic management systems or electronic medical record systems are managed and used. They should put in place good practices, such as using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, be vigilant against phishing attempts, use anti-malware and anti-virus solutions, and keep computers/systems updated with security patches. The Ministry of Health supports healthcare providers through funding, and training and educational materials on cyber and data security practices. There are also the Cyber and Data Security Guidelines and Guidebook which help healthcare providers understand and meet the essential security requirements. The Ministry of Health is also exploring ways to work with cyber and data security providers to support healthcare providers in strengthening their security posture. We strongly encourage all healthcare providers to familiarise themselves with essential cyber and data security practices. Raymond Chua (Adjunct Professor) Deputy Director-General of Health (Health Regulation) Ministry of Health
Straits Times
21-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Doctors may need help preventing cyber attacks on patient databases
Find out what's new on ST website and app. It takes sophisticated equipment and constant surveillance by IT personnel to recognise cyber attacks (Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam, July 18) . Non-tech-savvy doctors like me, who are mostly concerned with diagnosing and treating patients, are given access to important databases like the National Electronic Health Record portal. We input patients' personal and medical information into the database, or extract information from it, every day. I fear that a virus implanted into our computers will wreak havoc with the medical system, and may lead to the filing of fake medical claims, procurement of controlled drugs or blackmailing of patients and institutions. If that happens, it will cause loss of trust and confidence in the presently well-structured patient care system. A virus in the computer system can also worm its way into other aspects of our lives through other government agencies. Clinic management systems and especially doctors themselves need far more government support to prevent such cyber attacks from happening. There is also the constant overhanging fear that simple inadvertence and carelessness may lead to prosecution. Yik Keng Yeong (Dr)
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Besides TCM, study other traditional methods for healthcare
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Patients often tell me they get relief, from minor indispositions to medical problems, using traditional methods after they tried the normal Western medical methodology which seemed to have failed them. The Ministry of Health already has a framework of standards for using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as part of public healthcare. While it is actively researching the efficacy of other TCM methods in treating afflictions, we should also study traditional modes of therapy adopted by other countries. India is a good example. The practice of Ayurvedic therapy, involving a holistic process of herbal medicine, dietary rebalancing, yoga, massage and purification programmes, has long kept India, with its population beyond a billion people, hale, hearty and fecund. Shouldn't we study and research these in detail too and then add them to our models of treatment? In our multiracial society, we should be able to accept and incorporate more than one set of traditional medical methodologies into the national healthcare system. Dr Yik Keng Yeong
