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Health Minister Ong Ye Kung encouraged the healthcare sector to adopt AI strategically at a health tech showcase held at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House on 13 Nov 2024. The AI project, Intelligent Telephone Triage in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care, was presented by Asst Prof Feng Mengling at the event. This AI model transcribes public calls to emergency responders and automatically populates a form that call-takers use to efficiently share information with other departments. The system also prompts call-takers by suggesting follow-up questions to ask and recommending actions, such as dispatching an ambulance in critical situations. Photo credit: The Straits Times

Over the past decade, youth mental health issues have surged. The World Health Organisation estimates that one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global disease burden in this age group. Youth is a critical period of growth, shaped by a complex set of factors that influence how young people manage stress, build resilience, and face life’s challenges. What role can families, schools, and communities play in addressing the youth mental health crisis?

On 6 November 2024, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung graced the High-level Meeting on Risk Communication for Public Health Emergencies as the Guest-of-Honour and hosted an insightful fireside chat with more than 50 representatives from government agencies, academic institutions and other public health experts from 27 countries. The segment paved the way for fruitful discussions to follow as part of the 2-day event co-organised by Asia-Europe Foundation and Asia Centre for Health Security.

Bird flu is typically contracted by humans through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments. However, a new study shows that habitat destruction, such as coastal deforestation, is bringing migratory birds closer to human communities, potentially spreading the virus indirectly through contaminated water sources. With humans and wildlife coming into closer contact due to urban development, should we rethink the assumption that poultry is the main risk for bird flu? Hear from Assoc Prof Kimberly Fornace as she calls for the need to expand bird flu risk assessment, conserve habitats to reduce transmission risks, and avoid culling wildlife.

According to the National Population Health Survey 2022, fewer than 40% of Singaporean women aged 50 to 69 have had a mammogram in the past two years, even though regular screenings are vital. One reason for this low uptake is the limitations of existing screening technology. In CNA's Deep Tech: Inventing The Future series, the spotlight is shone on FxMammo, an AI-powered tool designed to analyse mammogram images by providing radiologists with a heat map and cancer probability score.

The Singapore Population Health Studies (SPHS) marked its 20th anniversary on 9 November 2024, with Minister for Health Mr Ong Ye Kung joining the celebration as Guest-of-Honour.

While private capital fosters growth, innovation, and efficiency in healthcare, it also raises challenges in balancing profitability with patient care. Private equity investors are increasingly drawn to Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector, particularly in Singapore, as aging populations drive demand for improved healthcare services.

📢 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?