专家：春节聚会或导致更多人确诊 冠病疫苗接种率高重症人数料平稳 (Experts: Number of severe cases expected to remain stable amid high COVID-19 vaccination rate)

​Prof Dale Fisher, Senior Consultant, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, highlighted that gatherings during the festive season would increase the risk of transmission of any respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. Due to the high vaccination rate and the fact that most people have been infected with COVID-19, severe cases would be rare. Prof Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, commented that he does not expect the number of severe cases in Singapore to increase significantly. 

Do you need smart gadgets?

​Experts weigh in on the pros and cons of personal care gadgets with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Dr Lim Su Lin, Head and Chief Dietitian at the National University Hospital’s Department of Dietetics, said AI bathroom scales should be tailored to assess a user’s behaviour and activity level. A/Prof James Yip, Director and Senior Consultant at National University Heart Centre Singapore and Head of the Academic Informatics Office at National University Health System, said that a weight-management programme also needs to consider data points about exercise, sleep, diet and general well-being. 

• ST Online, 25 January 2023, The Bottom Line: Do you need a smart toothbrush?
  

疗养院长周末迎来数百名访客 逐步恢复到疫情前水平 (Nursing home welcomes hundreds of visitors over long weekend, visitorship gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels)

​It was mentioned that for Chinese New Year’s Eve, a number of hospitals, including National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, provided patients who are staying in hospital with a festive dinner.

• Channel 8 News, 24 January 2023, 疗养院长周末迎来数百名访客 逐步恢复到疫情前水平 (Nursing home welcomes hundreds of visitors over long weekend, gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels)
  

Triggered? Experts share strategies on finding your calm

​Senior psychologist Eugenia Yee from NUH’s Department of Psychological Medicine shared that being calm does not mean doing away with “painful emotions like anger, anxiety or sadness”, but rather remaining in control of one's actions. She suggested validating one's thoughts and feelings by being mindful of them and acknowledging how they make sense in the given situation without passing judgement.

How soon can you travel after your child’s COVID-19 booster? What medicines should you pack?

​CNA published a guide on travelling overseas with children. Dr Chan Poh Chong, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of General Ambulatory Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, advised parents to bring paracetamol to ease discomfort and to seek medical assistance at the destination or upon returning home. He also advised to seek medical attention at reputable medical clinics if overseas and to ensure adequate rest and fluids at all times.

Berapa lama perlu anda tunggu selepas anak dapatkan dos penggalak COVID-19 untuk pergi bercuti? (How soon can you travel after your child’s COVID-19 booster?)

​Berita Mediacorp reported off a CNA story on travelling overseas with children. Dr Chan Poh Chong, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of General Ambulatory Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, KTP-NUCMI, NUH, advised parents to bring paracetamol to ease discomfort and to seek medical assistance at the destination or upon returning home. He also advised to seek medical attention at reputable medical clinics if overseas and to ensure adequate rest and fluids at all times.

Researchers at NUS offer lifeline for pets with cancer

理解问答：我应该在飞机上戴口罩吗？(Comprehension: Should I wear a mask on a plane?)

​Since 29 Aug 2022, passengers flying to and from Singapore can choose to remove their masks unless the departure and arrival destinations require them to be worn. The public can also choose not to wear masks in Changi Airport. Prof Dale Fisher, Senior Consultant, Division of Infectious Diseases, NUH, said that unless one had a respiratory infection, it should be safe to go without a mask.

How Govt is helping firms become more inclusive

​Discussing the issue of retirement adequacy during a dialogue at the Singapore Perspectives 2023 conference, Prof Paul Tambyah, Senior Consultant, Division of Infectious Diseases, NUH, asked Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong if the Silver Support Scheme, which provides a quarterly cash supplement to seniors who had lower incomes during their working years, could be made more universal to avoid substantial drop in incomes and quality of life when people stop working.

துவாழ்வு நரம் உறுப்பு தாளம் (Organ donation gives new life)

​A/Prof Shridhar Ganpathi Iyer, Senior Consultant, Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, and Surgical Director of the Adult Liver Transplantation Programme, NUCOT, said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of people coming forward to donate organs has dropped. He said the average waiting time in Singapore for a kidney transplant from a deceased donor is nine years. NUH patients Satya and Diksha Anand have kidney failure. Diksha had dialysis at NUH Children’s Kidney Centre three times a week for nearly four hours each time. In 2018 when Diksha was 10, she received kidneys from a deceased donor. Satya still undergoes peritoneal dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant.

• Tamil Murasu Online, துவாழ்வு நரம் உறுப்பு தாளம் (Organ donation gives new life)
  

十分访谈：孩童和青少年活动量 (Straight Talk: Physical activity in kids and teens)

​A report by NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health showed that more than half of children and adolescents still fall short of hitting the recommended one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. Dr Chan Poh Chong, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of General Ambulatory Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute at National University Hospital, explained how a faster heartbeat and rapid breathing are indicators that a person is engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activities. He said a lack of physical activity impacts on areas such as cardio-respiratory fitness, muscle strength, body posture and agility, as well as bone health. He suggested parents to be good role models and find ways to incentivise their children to move more.

微创手术 治疗疝气 (Minimally invasive surgery to treat hernia)

招募儿童测试冠病疫苗 研究协调员对疫苗接种政策作重要贡献 (Research coordinator makes key contribution to vaccination policy by recruiting children for trials)

​Ms Grace Xie, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Investigational Medicine Unit, NUH, was conferred the Merit Award at the Distinguished Contributor Award for Clinical Research Coordinators 2022 by the Singapore Clinical Research Institute. Prior to becoming a CRC, Grace was a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. She shared that similar to nursing, CRCs also require patience and resilience, as drug development or device development can take years to bear fruit. Some clinical studies she has coordinated could span over more than ten years, and at times, require her to journey with patients through their lifetime. She added that for patients with rare diseases – such as Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobirnuria, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder – options are often limited and drug costs can be sky-high. Grace feels that for these patients, such studies allow them to gain access to more treatment options. When successful, treatment can help stabilise their condition and help them achieve a better quality of life.

Centre offering one-stop support for victims of online harm, especially girls and women, to open Jan 19

​Tertiary student Sarah (not her real name) has been a victim of cyberbullying for a year in secondary school, which led to her having suicidal thoughts and even harming herself. She had to go for counselling at NUH for three months. To aid victims like her, SG Her Empowerment, a non-profit organisation for women, in collaboration with the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations, will open a new one-stop support centre on 19 January.

调查：本地过半孩童和青少年没有每天抽出一小时运动 (Survey: More than half of local children and teenagers do not exercise an hour a day)

​A report by NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health showed that more than half of children and adolescents still fall short of hitting the recommended one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. The study, published in the Journal Of Exercise Science And Fitness in January, also looked at the role of family and peers in encouraging physical activity and wider societal support.

Dr Chan Poh Chong, Head and Senior Consultant, Division of General Ambulatory Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute at National University Hospital, said the motivation to exercise is lacking, despite access to safe parks, playgrounds and sports facilities. Dr Chan suggested ways that families and schools can help.