Joshua Lim

Prof Teo Yik Ying’s commitment to improving public health goes far beyond Singapore’s borders. As a leading figure in the field, Prof Teo, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School Of Public Health, plays a pivotal role in shaping public health policies that have a far-reaching impact on communities worldwide. His leadership and engagement with international bodies, including the World Health Organization, are instrumental in ensuring inclusive and sustainable health outcomes globally. Read more about how Prof Teo’s efforts at NUS are leading the charge in transforming global health practices and policies: https://lnkd.in/g2W_Z3ur #NUSImpact

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Leading for innovation💡– insights from Hong Kong Hospital Authority We put the spotlight on Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) and some of the strategies being implemented now to lead Hong Kong’s hospitals into the future. In this video, Dr Tony Ko shares HA's journey and their commitment to being a learning organization that prioritizes professional development. For Dr Tony Ko, IHF membership offers a unique opportunity for comprehensive learning and networking with peers from all over the world. 🌏 And in this article, find out more about their approach to strategic and sustainable innovation. 💬 https://lnkd.in/gzdCaC5P #MembersMakeIHF #HealthcareOrganizations #IHFMembers

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Singapore’s PM Mr. Lawrence Wong recently said this in a post: “The World Mental Health Day, on 10 Oct, reminds us that mental health is just as important as physical health. While there used to be considerable stigma attached to mental health conditions, attitudes are changing. There is now greater awareness of mental health and well-being. The Government is dedicated to improving mental health through the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy. Employers can do their part too by supporting the mental health of their staff. This is a collective effort — let us work together to foster a more caring and inclusive environment for all.” Wonderful endorsement about the importance of Mental health indeed from the country’s highest authority. The government’s focus on mental health strategies is a commendable step in ensuring that mental health services are accessible to everyone. However, we must recognize that mental health support extends beyond policies — it starts in everyday environments, such as workplaces. Employers do indeed play a vital role in promoting mental well-being by creating inclusive, supportive workspaces. Providing mental health resources, fostering open communication, and encouraging work-life balance are key to helping employees manage stress and mental health challenges. Additionally, communities – friends and family, can contribute by normalizing conversations about mental health, reducing stigma, and offering support. As we celebrate World Mental Health Day 2024, let’s be proactive in our efforts to care for each other, ensuring that mental health is prioritized, and everyone feels valued and supported. Together, we can build a more compassionate society.

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Insightful report by Enterprise Singapore on the venture capital landscape for 2024. Despite a decline in transactions, Singapore remains a leading tech hub in ASEAN, holding 58% of VC deal volume and 68% of deal value. The funding winter is certainly being felt, but Singapore's strong position in the tech ecosystem remains evident. #VentureCapital #DeepTech #TechEcosystem #Singapore #FundingTrends #Startups #Innovation

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Protein Intake Crucial for Cancer Patients, Says Maha Vajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital The Department of Medical Services, Thailand through Maha Vajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital, has highlighted a significant issue affecting cancer patients: inadequate protein intake due to misconceptions about dietary restrictions during cancer treatment. Many patients mistakenly believe that consuming various types of meat is prohibited, leading to nutritional deficiencies that can hinder their treatment progress. Dr. Sakarn Bunnag, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Medical Services, emphasized that cancer is a chronic disease posing a long-standing medical and public health challenge. During cancer treatment, whether through chemotherapy or radiation, many patients avoid eating beef, pork, chicken, or seafood, fearing it might be harmful. This misconception results in incomplete nutrition, adversely affecting red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Consequently, patients may not meet the necessary blood value criteria for treatment, disrupting the planned treatment process. Dr. Adisai Phattatang, Director of Maha Vajiralongkorn Thanyaburi Hospital, stressed that cancer patients require higher protein intake than the general population. He recommended consuming good quality natural proteins such as pork, chicken, and seafood. The protein requirement for cancer patients is approximately 1.2 to 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. For instance, a patient weighing 50 kilograms should consume 60 to 75 grams of protein daily (body weight x 1.2 = amount of protein needed). Read more... https://lnkd.in/gVV6X7KM

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Thank you for the mention The Straits Times! Though nothing new, it is always important to highlight Singapore's focus on Precision Medicine is strong and focused, with efforts like Clarice Chen's to boost start-up support, and Raffles Medical Group's pioneering initiative in pharmacogenomics. To complete the story with Raffles Medical Group, here's a summary of the study findings we did with them: 👉 Among the 222 patients, 95% had at least one clinically actionable variant. 👉 Of these patients we recruited in the executive health screening, 113 reported taking at least one of the 29 studied drugs, with 21.2% of them receiving at least one clinically actionable recommendation based on their PGx results. 👉 A total of 150 patients participated in the post-test follow-up survey. Among them, most expressed feeling relieved and happy upon receiving their test reports and reported increased confidence in taking their prescribed medication. Together with the unified efforts from PRECISE, Singapore's National Precision Medicine program, we're ready to go mainstream. NalaGenetics https://lnkd.in/gYR3d64u https://lnkd.in/gEfcN6Tu #precisionmedicine #pharmacogenomics #dnatesting #genetics #genomics

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Recently, the series about → What are your favourite healthcare/tech courses? It has received a lot of attention. So, I'm back with more valuable course recommendations. This time for those curious about: Health, prevention, and safety in healthcare. Explore these Coursera's offerings: University of Hong Kong's Materials in Oral Health ↳ What It Covers: - Focuses on the properties and applications of dental materials like biomaterials and ceramics. - Explores how these materials are used in dental treatments and innovations. ↳ Who It Is Helpful For: - Ideal for dental professionals and students in dentistry. - Also beneficial for researchers in dental materials science. ↳ Benefits: - Enhances understanding of dental material choices for better clinical outcomes. - Keeps professionals updated on advancements in dental biomaterials. --- University of Sydney's Easing the Burden of Obesity, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Disease ↳ What It Covers: - Discusses prevention and management strategies for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. - Emphasizes public health approaches to combat these chronic conditions. ↳ Who It Is Helpful For: - Useful for healthcare professionals in nutrition, public health, and chronic disease management. - Beneficial for students and individuals interested in chronic disease prevention. ↳ Benefits: - Provides evidence-based strategies for managing and preventing chronic diseases. - Enhances public health initiatives and patient care. --- University of Sydney's Life, Health, and Radiation ↳ What It Covers: - Examines the impact of radiation on human health and its medical applications. - Addresses both the benefits and risks of radiation exposure. ↳ Who It Is Helpful For: - Suitable for healthcare professionals in radiology and oncology. - Valuable for students and researchers in medical physics and health sciences. ↳ Benefits: - Improves knowledge of radiation safety and medical applications. - Keeps professionals informed about the latest research in radiation health effects. So, before spending your money on specialised courses online, feel free to check these resources and make a conscious decision. Hope it's beneficial for you! PS: Do you know of any interesting healthcare courses? Let me know ⬇️ _ _ _ ♻️ Share these recommendations with your circle! And for more insights into living with purpose, follow me Saraswathi Mopuru. #HealthcareCourses #TechInHealthcare #PreventiveHealthcare #DentalMaterials #ChronicDiseasePrevention #RadiationSafety #PublicHealth #HealthcareEducation #OnlineLearning #CourseraCourses #HealthcareProfessionals #Optimists

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"Western medicine, the cornerstone of modern healthcare systems, has achieved remarkable success in treating diseases and improving quality of life. Yet, it faces increasing challenges—most notably, the soaring costs of care, which have placed a growing financial burden on individuals globally. This trend has only intensified since 2000, revealing a critical limitation: mainstream healthcare systems have reached a bottleneck, stagnating in their ability to effectively address the holistic health needs of diverse populations". Join GIFT's ASIA Young Leaders Programme to understand People-to-People diplomacy and exchange through unlocking access to healthcare for the global majority. DM me or GIFT.

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At the recent Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, I had the privilege of discussing a topic close to my heart – mental wellbeing. As a clinician, I've witnessed the immense stress healthcare professionals endure, particularly during the pandemic, and the stigma patients have faced in seeking help for mental health issues. Thankfully, we’re now in a better place as a society, with greater awareness of mental wellness, improved treatment options, and expanding access through digital platforms. Yet, the challenge remains significant: in Southeast Asia, about 1 in 7 people live with a mental health condition, and many still lack timely access to care. At IHH, we’re committed to bridging this gap. Through our investment in Intellect, we offer a range of digital mental health solutions alongside the essential in-person care provided by our dedicated professionals. This approach not only supports our patients but also empowers our people, as we equip them via the Intellect app to prioritise their mental health – because they are the foundation of everything we do. During the session, I was asked what the future of digital mental health should look like. My hope is for an integrated ecosystem where digital tools complement traditional care; offering safe, evidence-based solutions that seamlessly connect patients with in-person treatments. This holistic approach is key to meeting the diverse needs of our society. A big thank you to my fellow panellists for their insights—it was truly inspiring to see academia, tech start-ups, and medical professionals dedicated to mental wellness. Let’s keep moving towards a more inclusive world where mental health support is accessible to all. #MIGlobal #AsiaSummit #MentalHealthCare #HealthcareLeadership #IHHealthcareLeadership #TransformingHealthcare #IHHHealthcare

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Day 2 of DTX HealthSG was a blast! The talks were filled with diverse perspectives and insights on health system transformations and innovations. I'd like to extend my gratitude to Maurice Tan and the faculty, including Professor Robert JT Morris, Mr Hock Lin Sng 孫福霖 , Dr Weng Mooi Tan, Mr Sriko Perlzl, and Prof Chwee Teck (C.T.) Lim for sharing their knowledge and experience. Here are the top 5 things I learned today: 1. Always question findings and developments; never be complacent. 2. Data collection and analysis are key. 3. Technology is integral to shaping health systems, but the human touch must not be overlooked. 4. Healthcare technology and innovation must have an impact on social determinants of health including health and digital literacy, health seeking behaviour and health beliefs. They should encourage readiness and willingness for change! (Dr Chrystal Fong 邝珍莹医生 - I listened!) 5. Solutions need to be agile and adaptable. I was excited to discover that Active Health offers targeted exercise programs for the population! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gX6fBx3G. We couldn't resist sharing the news with our rheumatology WhatsApp group. Thank you to Colin Tan and Shannon Chia for the new connections made today. #DTXHealthSG #healthcare #innovation #technology #dataanalysis #socialdeterminantsofhealth #personalizedcare #agile #adaptability

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Success is within your reach .. grab it 💪💪

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We plan to redefine academic health with this partnership, which has been more than 10 years in the brewing. One, this is not a typical academic medical centre revolving around a medical school and teaching hospital. Rather, it is a systems level partnership between an entire healthcare system for >1.5 million people and a leading technological university, with the medical school serving as the bridge to multiple schools and disciplines. Second, it is not driven by bottom-up academic research, but by a mission-oriented strategy to take on emerging challenges facing an ageing Singapore and the need for sustainable healthcare and better population health. Third, it is future-facing, to prepare and enable today’s healthcare providers and the people we serve, for tomorrow’s tech and data-intensive medicine. All this is encapsulated in our combined visions to redefine medicine and transform healthcare to add years of healthy life.

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I’m excited to share my latest article on HK01, where I discuss the potential health impacts of excessive prenatal supplementation on both mothers and babies. Check out the full article for more insights! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g_BTjNYZ

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Kok Song NG and I had breakfast with David Su , founder and managing partner at Matrix Partners China, a venture capitalist, David focuses on software, technology and healthcare investments. He also cofounded San Si Institute, a community of entrepreneurial leaders who are committed to tackle big societal challenges. David who is a graduate of NTU, helps serve on boards of Nanyang Technological University Singapore ,CapitaLand & EDBI Pte Ltd ,has been investing in China for the last two decades , some investments include DiDi , Baidu, Inc. , Focus Group , Heptagon, Bona Films +++++. Was great to chat about geopolitics, Chinese (H share) equity markets, global macro, foreign exchange and about Chinese history. Some of these heavy conversations are best had with roti prata and a cup of coffee ! #venture #vc #venturecapital #geopolitics #macro #globalmacro #policy #healthcare #tech #technology #investments #medtech #biotech #deeptech

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Recently, the series about → What are your favourite healthcare/tech courses? Sparked great interest. So, I'm back with more valuable course recommendations. This time for those curious about: health, prevention, and safety in healthcare. Explore these Coursera's offerings: University of Hong Kong Materials in Oral Health ↳ Helpful for dental professionals, students, and individuals interested in oral health and its connection to overall well-being. ↳ Focuses on oral anatomy, common diseases, preventive measures, and the link between oral health and systemic conditions. ↳ Contains modules on oral hygiene practices, dental treatments, and the impact of oral health on overall health and well-being. University of Sydney's Easing the burden of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease ↳ Focuses on causes, prevention, and management strategies for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. ↳ Contains modules on nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle interventions, and healthcare approaches to reduce the burden of these conditions. ↳ Beneficial for healthcare professionals, students, and individuals seeking insights into strategies for these chronic conditions. University of Sydney's Life, Health and Radiation ↳ Focuses on radiation biology, safety measures, and applications in medical imaging and therapy. ↳ Contains modules on the biological effects of radiation, radiation protection, medical imaging techniques, radiation therapy, and regulatory aspects of radiation safety. ↳ Suitable for healthcare professionals, radiation safety officers, and those interested in radiation biology and safety in medical contexts. So, before spending your money on specialised courses online, feel free to check these resources and make a conscious decision. Hope it's beneficial for you! Do you know of any interesting healthcare courses? Let me know ⬇️ _ _ _ ♻️ Share these recommendations with your circle! And for more insights into living with purpose, follow me Saraswathi Mopuru #HealthcareCourses #TechInHealthcare #OralHealth #ChronicDiseaseManagement #PreventiveHealthcare #RadiationSafety #HealthEducation #OnlineLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #HealthcareProfessionals #HealthAndWellness #CareerDevelopment #Optimists

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The Singapore Dental Health Foundation was privileged to be invited to contribute seed funding for LOLA Home Dental, a non-profit start up providing home-based dental services. The service runs with volunteer dentists who are paid a low-bono rate (term used to describe a lower than market fee)   https://lnkd.in/gtxRtr2J   While Home Medical, Home Nursing and Home Personal Care are well-established and subsidized by the government, there is no established business model for Home Dental Services. The challenge for dental is the bulk of equipment used for treatment. Dental also relies on xray imaging to confirm certain diagnosis and for treatment planning.   Home dental services are needed when patients are bed bound and require symptomatic or emergency treatment. They tend to be medically complex patients which require additional precautions when carrying out invasive procedures like extractions. Dentists often have to carry out treatment in un-ergonomic positions with limited instruments.   From a business perspective, it is capital intensive as it requires purchase of dental instruments and equipment. However, the number of patients that can be seen is much lower compared to a clinic as there is no way to turn around used instruments without a sterilization (autoclave) machine on the go. As the patient’s needs are not known before the visit, you would need to bring along the whole instrument set even if you end up only using one of them.   It reminds me of the early days when I first started a volunteer dental clinic at a nursing home. I had only 2 donated sets of extraction forceps then. There was a specific extraction forcep for each tooth. To optimize its use, I would first screen residents to identify teeth that needed extraction. I would then “assign” an extraction forcep to each resident and tooth before they are brought to the clinic for treatment. Those were interesting and happy times. 😅   With the rise of digital technology such as intraoral scanners, I do believe that there is a potential to pre-screen patients and better resource plan for each visit. As the population ages, we will see an increasing demand for such services. With sufficient scale and better resource optimization, there is a possibility that the economics for such a service would eventually work out.   But before that happens, I am grateful that we have dentists willing to give up their time and opportunity costs to help address a community need. Many of them have chosen to work quietly in the background with little fanfare.  For that, they deserve respect.

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SATA CommHealth plays a critical role in the care of Migrant Workers with 260 thousands of them enrolled the Primary Care Plan in 3 sectors. This plan includes a basic health screening, telemedicine and access to affordable primary care for acute and chronic consultations. Technology and innovation are essential to scale certain solutions. In this video, the use of a virtual trainer is shown. Behind the scenes are also many other tech solutions: A system that powers collection of fees from employers through e-GIRO. There is also a report available for employers to have an overview of their employees report sick attendances and patterns.

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Singaporeans part of the Pioneer Generation will get up to S$1,100 in MediSave top-ups in July 2024. These will benefit about 300,000 Singaporeans in that category, who are born in 1949 or earlier. The top-ups are in addition to the annual MediSave top-ups for Singaporeans aged 65 and above, that fall under the GST Voucher Scheme. Medisave can be used to pay for medical expenses, such as hospitalisation, day surgeries, and selected outpatient treatments, as well as the premiums for other MediSave-approved insurance plans. More than S$150 million has been set aside for this, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Eligible seniors who have downloaded and completed their one-time set up on the Singpass app will receive notifications on their eligible top-up amount by Jun. 11. Those without the app but who have registered their mobile numbers with Singpass before Jun. 9 will receive an SMS by Jun. 11. The SMS will not ask for a reply or any information and only inform seniors of their benefits. Letters will be sent to the rest of the seniors by the end of June. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gugC3KNK Photo credit: MOF

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