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📢 We would like to understand your experiences regarding decision-making in clinical trials in hospital settings We are looking for people who are: • Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents who have been approached to participate in a time-sensitive clinical trial as a participant OR as a legally authorised representative in hospital settings • Individuals aged 21 and above without cognitive impairment The study involves: • Up to 90-minute interview either online OR in-person • You will be reimbursed for the effort and time taken to participate If you are interested, please indicate your interest via https://tinyurl.com/consentstudy2024 or scan the QR code on the poster.

Join us for an engaging session on empowering Health Policy and Systems Research Institutions (HPSRIs) across Asia to bridge the gap between evidence and policy implementation. While HPSRIs have grown rapidly in the region, their influence on policy remains limited. Through insights from Asian case studies, we’ll explore the unique challenges and strategies needed to strengthen these institutions' role in policy-making. Participants will delve into region-specific needs, engage in interactive discussions, and share their own experiences to foster impactful evidence-to-policy pathways.

With recent changes to MediShield Life, claim limits for hospital stays and outpatient treatments are set to increase, offering greater financial protection. However, this improvement comes with a cost: premiums will rise by an average of 22%, and up to 35% for older individuals. How can we make the most of our MediSave, and what support is available for those struggling to afford these rising costs?

Since Singapore launched its war on diabetes in 2016, the results have been modestly encouraging. The latest National Population Health Survey (NPHS) figures showed that prevalence rates have declined from 8.8% in 2017 to 8.5% in 2022. However, diabetes remains a global health crisis, particularly type 2 diabetes, which is heavily influenced by lifestyle habits. While Singapore has taken aggressive steps in its fight against diabetes and chronic illness, are there more that can be done? Hear from Dean Prof Teo Yik Ying and Asst Prof Ian Ang as they emphasise the importance of proactive measures in diabetes prevention through consumer awareness and lifestyle changes.

The recent MediShieldLife review outlined key healthcare priorities for the future: providing adequate coverage for large hospital bills, expected to keep rising, and shifting more care to less costly, non-hospital settings. These reflects the realities of an ageingSingapore and the rising costs of new treatments and healthcare manpower. With about half of IP policyholders with riders still opting for subsidised public healthcare for hospital stays or day surgery, the question arises: Are pricier plans truly necessary?

On 7-8 October 2024, a delegation from the School, led by the Vice Dean of Global Health, Prof Hsu Li Yang, visited the offices of the WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO) in Manila, Philippines. Through a series of productive meetings, the team fostered closer ties with global health experts at WPRO, paving the way for future collaborations. During the two-day visit, both teams exchanged insights on their respective work and identified potential synergies across various public health areas, including Health Technology Assessment (HTA), digital health and AI, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), health systems, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Tuberculosis (TB), climate change, and health security. Digital health and AI, in particular, emerged as promising areas of mutual interest, with wide applicability to pressing global health challenges. This visit was pivotal in laying the foundation for a shared commitment to advancing public health, with a focus on future collaborations and innovative solutions to address key health issues.

With the expansion of coverage and higher claim limits, MediShield Life premiums are set to increase in stages over the next three years. These changes come as Singapore faces an aging population and rising healthcare costs. How will these adjustments help alleviate medical expenses? And with these changes, how should Singaporeans re-evaluate their private insurance plans? Hear from Professor Hwee Wee Lin as she weighs in how these reforms will shape Singapore’s healthcare system for years to come.

A $4.1 billion support package will help cushion the upcoming MediShield Life premium increase, set to take effect from April 2025. These enhancements aim to ease the financial burden on vulnerable groups, particularly those with chronic conditions, while also encouraging outpatient care to free hospital beds. As Singapore's population ages and medical advancements progress, what other changes can be made to manage rising costs while ensuring equitable access to healthcare? Hear from Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen and Associate Professor Jeremy Lim as they share their insights on how the MediShield Life enhancements can protect vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable healthcare for all.

Canteen food was once a highlight for students during recess, however, increasingly more canteen vendors are now shutting down due to rising operational costs, manpower shortages, and challenges in meeting students' nutritional needs.
 Can we still save our school canteens?
 Hear from Professor Mary Chong as she shares the underlying issues and ask what can be done.

The MediShield Life Council has announced a comprehensive review of Singapore’s basic, mandatory health insurance plan. The review would look at expanding the coverage of MediShield Life, including funding for innovative treatments such as cell, tissue and gene therapy products (CTGTP). What principles should guide this and future healthcare policies?

MediShield Life premiums are set to rise, with the freeze on Integrated Shield Plan (ISP) premium rates lifted as of 1 September 2024 and several ISP providers already increasing premiums, particularly for private hospital plans. How can we effectively control the rise in health insurance premiums? Hear from Assoc Prof Wee Hwee Lin as she shares how healthcare financing works in Singapore and provides practical adjustments that insurers, healthcare providers, and patients can adopt to play their part in keeping premiums affordable.

As Singapore adapts to post-pandemic norms, school canteen operators are struggling. This has led to a rise in vending machines and food deliveries, replacing fresh and affordable meals. Once a haven for healthy meals, school canteens now face uncertainty in securing reliable, long-term operators to manage food stalls. How can we ensure that students continue to have access to nutritious, affordable meals? Hear from Dean, Prof Teo Yik Ying, as he shares his expertise on the importance of reevaluating school meal provisions and advocates for a centralized catering model to support student health and nutrition.