News

On 25 March, our partners at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Cambodia hosted a seminar on “AI in Healthcare: Keeping Humans at the Centre of Innovation.”

As AI continues to reshape the medical landscape, the discussion revolved around how we can harness technology while remaining people-centric. Speaking as part of a distinguished panel, Assoc Prof Ng Yih Yng shared his insights on the vital importance of human-centred clinical decision-making in an AI-driven world.

The session saw an incrediple turnout of over 500 participants joining both in-person and online, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, national hospitals and centres, and partners from the private sector and global institutions.

A huge thank you to UHS for hosting such a vital dialogue as we navigate the future of health innovation together!

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Ng Wee Tong as Vice Dean (Practice), with effect from 1 April 2026.

Assoc Prof Ng has served as Assistant Dean (Practice) since 1 January 2025. During this time, he has strengthened the School’s translational practice agenda, ensuring that our research remains responsive to pressing public health needs and focused on improving population health outcomes. He has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to bridging academic scholarship with real-world implementation. His extensive experience in public health practice positions him well to drive initiatives that translate evidence into meaningful policy and practice impact, both locally and regionally.

Among his key initiatives as Assistant Dean (Practice) are strengthening the governance and strategic positioning of the Practice Office, deepening partnerships with public sector agencies and health system stakeholders, and enhancing the School’s platforms for translating research into policy and implementation. He has also promoted the integration of practice-based insights into research and education, fostering stronger alignment between academic work and real-world public health priorities.

In his new capacity as Vice Dean (Practice), Assoc Prof Ng will lead the Practice Office in close partnership with the senior leadership team to further advance the School’s practice mission. He will guide efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement, strengthen pathways for research translation into policy and programmes, and ensure sustained and measurable impact on population health.

Assoc Prof Ng will concurrently continue in his roles as Director, Continuing Education and Training (CET), and Head, Occupational Health Education & Research Unit (OHERU).

Please join us in congratulating Wee Tong on his appointment and in wishing him every success in this important role.

Appreciation
We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Associate Professor Jason Yap for his dedicated service as inaugural Vice Dean (Practice) since 1 July 2020.

During his tenure, Assoc Prof Yap played a pivotal role in establishing and shaping the School’s practice mission, strengthening strategic partnerships with government ministries and public sector stakeholders, and advancing the translation of research into policy and implementation. His leadership laid a strong foundation for the Practice Office and positioned the School as a trusted, evidence-based partner in policy research and advisory work.

With effect from 1 April 2026, Assoc Prof Yap will step down as Vice Dean (Practice) and take on the role of Senior Adviser to the Practice Office. In this capacity, he will provide strategic counsel to the Vice Dean (Practice) on government engagement, policy positioning, and institutional partnerships. He will help sustain senior-level relationships with ministries and statutory boards, advise on commissioned research and policy collaborations, guide research teams on policy relevance and stakeholder engagement, and mentor academic leads involved in government-facing projects. Importantly, this role ensures continuity of key relationships and institutional knowledge, while further strengthening the School’s policy impact agenda.

We thank Assoc Prof Yap for his dedicated service and look forward to his continued guidance and contributions to the School.

A team from SSHSPH met in Vientiane in March 2026 to plan a survey aiming to better support communities affected by parasitic diseases.

Dr Kiesha Prem met with President of the University of Health Sciences in Lao PDR to explore potential areas of collaboration on 11 Mar 2026.

Congratulations to Assoc Prof Jason Yap, Dr Cecilia Teng, Dr Saima Hilal, Dr Rayner Tan, Assoc Prof Mary Chong, Dr Wong Mee Lian, Dr Aw Su and Dr Shou Yiyun – recipients of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health Teaching and Research Awards for AY2024/2025! These awards celebrate the dedication, innovation and impact of our educators and researchers who are shaping the future of global health.

The Individual Teaching Excellence Award recognises faculty who have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to our students’ learning journey:
• Assoc Prof Jason Yap
• Dr Cecilia Teng
• Dr Saima Hilal

The Teaching Excellence Award (Team Award) honours the collaborative spirit and outstanding teaching of the team:
• Assoc Prof Mary Chong (Leader)
• Dr Wong Mee Lian
• Dr Aw Su
• Dr Shou Yiyun

The Outstanding Researcher Award recognises a consistent track record of research excellence and high-impact work:
• Dr Saima Hilal

The Young Researcher Award celebrates junior faculty with exceptional research potential and achievements:
• Dr Rayner Tan

The School extends its warmest congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to your continued success and your vital contributions to the field of public health.

In a time of intensifying geopolitical rivalries and constrained fiscal environments, global health governance stands at a critical juncture.

Declining development aid and the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) signal deeper fractures within existing global health architecture. These political shifts directly impact health financing, preparedness systems, equitable access to medical countermeasures, and overall health security worldwide.

Prof Teo Yik Ying shares on the demand for a recalibrated multi-level approach in the path forward to maintain strong global leadership, strengthen regional cooperation and reinforce accountable, resilient national health systems.

The article was first published on The Business Times on Mar 3, 2026.
Photo credit: The Business Times

Congratulations to Associate Professor Hannah Clapham on her promotion to Associate Professor with retrospective effect from 1 January 2026.

Associate Professor Clapham serves as Director of the Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM) and Programme Leader for Infectious Diseases at SSHSPH. Since joining the School in 2020, she has made significant contributions to advancing the scientific understanding of infectious disease dynamics and control, particularly in the contexts of dengue, COVID-19, and Japanese encephalitis. Her work on mathematical modelling of dengue vaccination strategies in Singapore, as well as her pivotal role in COVID-19 policy modelling that informed Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), exemplifies the application of rigorous quantitative methods to real-world public health challenges.

In recognition of her contributions to Singapore’s pandemic response, Associate Professor Clapham was conferred the Singapore Public Administration Medal (Bronze) (COVID-19) in 2022. Her work has also elevated the international profile of NUS and Singapore, including serving as a key advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) on dengue vaccine policies.

The School extends its warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Clapham on this well-deserved achievement and looks forward to her continued contributions to public health research and policy.

As of 14 February 2026, confirmed Tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia have surpassed 3,100, drawing renewed attention to infectious disease trends in the region. While social gatherings and cross-border travel have increased —particularly as Chinese New Year coincides with Ramadan — health experts suggest the situation remains manageable.

A Regional Phenomenon
Professor Leo Yee-Sin, Adjunct Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, notes that TB maintains a relatively high incidence rate across Southeast Asia. In this context, the current situation in Malaysia can be viewed as part of a broader “regional phenomenon” rather than an isolated spike.

Understanding Transmission
To manage public concern, it is vital to understand how TB spreads:
• Airborne Bacteria: TB is caused by bacteria that spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Prolonged Contact: Transmission generally requires frequent, close, and prolonged contact with an infectious individual.
• Low-Risk Encounters: The risk of infection from brief conversations or passing encounters is very low.
• Misconceptions: Contrary to common belief, TB is not transmitted through the sharing of utensils or food.

The School continues to monitor regional health trends to inform public health preparedness and community safety.

Photo credit: 8World

The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health launched two new modelling centres on Friday 27 February. The Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM) emerged from the crucible of COVID-19, when its founding faculty members developed epidemiological models to inform the response to the pandemic. Its sister centre, the Centre for Population Health Risk and Systems Modelling (PHRISM), was created in response to the need of the health system to adapt to an ageing population and rising healthcare costs.

The two centres were formally opened by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of Health, who shared in his opening address the importance that MOH places on modelling to better inform their policy decisions. The opening ceremony was also graced by Professors Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS; and Teo Yik Ying, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; Mayfong Mayxay, President of the University of Health Sciences in Lao PDR; Vernon Lee, Chief Executive of the Communicable Diseases Agency, and other luminaries.

The two centre directors, Associate Professors Hannah Clapham (of CERM) and Alec Morton (of PHRISM), after unveiling the centre plaques with Minister Tan, shared the evolution of their centres and their future plans.

In panel discussions, we heard of the importance of trust in facilitating relations between government and academic modellers, and of cocreation to ensure models answer policy questions that were asked, and not questions that were not asked.

The event showcased innovations by the modelling community in the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health through a poster series and short presentations by staff, students, and faculty.

The webpage for CERM was also launched: updates on news from the CERM team can be found here: https://cerm.nus.edu.sg/.