搭配全息投影技术 病人静脉跃然眼前 (With holographic projection through 5G technology, patient’s veins appear before one’s eyes)

National University Health System (NUHS) Holomedicine programme was showcased as one of the cutting-edge projects that are part of the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s $30 million 5G Innovation Programme. The NUHS indoor private 5G Enterprise and mobile-edge computing network has been deployed in 10 operating theatres since August 2023 and three inpatient wards since early November 2023. 

Dr Gao Yujia, Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer, NUHS, and Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, National University Hospital, explained that in preparation for complex surgeries such as liver transplants and brain tumour removal, the doctor and the patient each wear a HoloLens device to view the patient's 3D scan as part of patient education prior to the procedure. 

He also said the technology can be used to identify patients’ veins for blood-taking, greatly enhancing the success rates of blood draws for patients with small veins. With 5G-enabled technology, the time it takes for patients’ scans to be converted to 3D images has also been reduced from approximately 20 to 25 seconds to less than one second.

Team gets $10m grant to find ways to fight drug-resistant bugs

Daughter who helps dad fulfil his last wish of dying at home: 'It was not easy'

​Mr Chen, a beneficiary of the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS) Cancer Fund, was in his late 80s when he started chemotherapy at NCIS. Dr Esther Chan, Senior Consultant, Department of Haematology-Oncology, NCIS, said he was found suitable for compassionate discharge with end-of-life support at home being made available. Ms Hazel Foo, Senior Medical Social Worker, National University Hospital, said bringing him home was a tough decision for the family, especially his daughter. The family could access the NCIS Cancer Fund within just a day and were able to bring in private nurses who took care of him in his last days at home. Details of The Last Mile Concert, with tickets being available at Sistic, were mentioned.

• Stomp, 28 November 2023, Daughter gets help as cancer-stricken dad fulfils his last wish of dying at home: 'It was not easy'
  

Jumpa doktor jika risau hadapi barah prostat (See a doctor if you`re worried about having prostate cancer)

Dr Arshvin Kesavan, Associate Consultant, Department of Urology, National University Hospital (NUH), said a strong family history would be the biggest risk factor for prostate cancer. He added that patients who are known carriers of certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA (BReast CAncer gene), are also at risk.  

National University Health System is actively providing free information about prostate cancer through its website and that of National University Cancer Institute, Singapore's (NCIS). The NUH Urology Department has specialist cancer nurses who manage prostate cancer patients, offering counselling services and advising them on the various avenues to seek help and funding for treatments. NCIS works closely with the Singapore Cancer Society and actively encourage patients to join the Prostate Cancer Support Group – The Walnut Warriors.

Singapore’s public hospital bed crunch: Are radical solutions needed?

The article follows the Talking Point episode on the topic of bed waiting times in the Singapore healthcare system and National University Hospital’s (NUH) efforts in optimising resources to manage the issue. 

Dr Jonathan Ong, Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology and Ms Lucinda Tay, Advanced Practice Nurse, shared on the pre-strategising discussions and plans put together to ensure caregivers are able to bring home a patient when he/she is medically fit. Mr Jeremy Lee, Assistant Chief Operating Officer, NUH, explained that NUH patients’ average length of stay hovers around 5.5 days, compared with the national average of seven days, and NUH’s strategies to achieve that.

Dr Stephanie Ko, lead clinician of the NUHS@Home programme highlighted how the programme helps to free up beds in NUH by allowing patients to access acute hospital care from the comfort of their home. Mr Sai Aung Lin, Operations Manager, Housekeeping, in NUH explained why a swift bed turnaround is vital to make sure that patients get timely care.

A/Prof Jason Yap and Adj A/Prof Jeremy Lim from NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health also elaborated on the calculation of hospital wait times and potential policies and measures to better manage the complex challenges.

Investing in helping disadvantaged kids boosts their earnings

​A study on Care Corner Singapore’s Circle of Care (CoC) programme reveals that an investment of $20,000 over five years helps a child from a disadvantaged background reach an equal footing with his more well-off peers. The CoC actively contributed to shaping the development of the Health and Development Support in Pre-school Partnerships, which was formed in collaboration with the NUH's Child Development Unit and focuses on identifying, assessing, and providing early support for children's health and developmental needs.

保健基金发放医药费援助2022财年减5%至1.56亿元 (Medical fee assistance disbursed by MediFund reduced by 5% to $156m in FY2022)

​Despite a decrease in the number of applications for MediFund assistance, the average amount disbursed to patients has increased. Notably, SGH retained its position as the highest distributor of public health assistance, a trend consistent with previous years, with NUH coming in second.

Veteran healthcare unionist elected NTUC president

​Ms K. Thanaletchimi, a manager at NUH and former president of the NUH Employees’ Union, was elected as the president of NTUC’s central committee. She will lead the labour movement's highest decision-making body for a four-year term.

Veteran healthcare union leader K Thanaletchimi elected NTUC president

​Ms K. Thanaletchimi, a manager at NUH and former president of the NUH Employees’ Union, was elected as the president of NTUC’s central committee. She will lead the labour movement's highest decision-making body for a four-year term.

Far from a swell time

​ST’s feature on the effects of pregnancy on women highlighted the expert input of Dr Sarah Li, Consultant, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at NUH who explained the physical changes during pregnancy. Dr Cornelia Chee, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Psychological Medicine, NUH highlighted that women often face pressure to return to the pre-pregnancy body, but she advised that they should be guided by health rather than appearances. ST also highlighted NUH's Women’s Emotional Health Service, which provides personalised support for women in emotional distress during and after pregnancy.

958新闻聊开来：中风病人的康复之路漫漫但不孤单！ (Capital 95.8 News: Stroke patients’ recovery long but not lonely!)

​Dr Jing Mingxue, Associate Consultant, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, NUH, explained the two types of strokes – ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke – and how treatments differ for them. He also explained the acronym FAST for people to spot the signs of stroke and call for immediate medical attention.

We need to talk: What are the common misconceptions about going to therapy? When do you need counselling?

​Ms Nicole Wong and Ms Eugenia Yee, Senior Psychologists from the Department of Psychological Medicine, NUH, addressed common misconceptions about therapy. They shared what therapy entails, and also touched on the differences between a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, psychologist and counsellor.

Two things you must practise to keep child passengers safe

​An article about child passengers' safety during road traffic accidents in Singapore cited data reported by KKH and NUH from 2012 to 2016, which indicated that 51 per cent of all children and adolescents with road traffic injuries were not using a child car restraint, and 65 per cent of infants were unrestrained during incidents.

இணையத் தாக்குதலைத் தடுக்க பொதுச் சுகாதாரப் பராமரிப்பு மருத்துவமனைகள் நடவடிக்கை (Public healthcare hospitals take action to prevent cyber attacks)

​National healthcare IT provider Synapxe announced plans to strengthen its system design to make it more resilient against new forms of DDoS attacks. This comes after a recent DDoS attack that affected the websites of SGH, NUH, TTSH and AIC, among others.

Public healthcare IT provider to step up defences against attacks

​Following the recent DDoS attack that disrupted the web services of polyclinics and public hospitals such as SGH, NUH, KTPH and CGH, national healthcare IT provider Synapxe announced plans to strengthen its system design to make it more resilient against new forms of DDoS attacks.