MINISTER FOR HEALTH MR ONG YE KUNG’S INTERVENTION, AT THE G20 HEALTH MINISTERS’ MEETING (SESSION 1: HEALTH EMERGENCIES PREVENTION, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE) IN GANDHINAGAR, INDIA ON FRIDAY, 18 AUGUST 2023

    Thank you, Chair. I would like to make three short points today.

2. The first is to join colleagues to thank Chairman, Excellency Mr Mansukh Mandaviya, our Indian G20 presidency state of Gujarat for extending such a warm reception and hospitality to my delegation. 

3. The second point is to update the Meeting on what Singapore has been doing for One Health and Antimicrobial Resistance. We established a One Health framework in 2012, where different Ministries come together to address this important issue. In 2017, we established a national Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. One of the key thrusts is for all our hospitals to implement antimicrobial stewardship programmes. 

4. Singapore does not have an agriculture or livestock sector, so one of the major initiatives of One Health is the control of dengue fever, which is spread by the Aedes mosquito. We use Wolbachia mosquitoes, male ones in particular, to suppress dengue fever in Singapore. 

5. The third point is future work. One of our key priorities is to reduce the inappropriate use of antimicrobials amongst humans. We think the important point is to invest in primary care, especially in building up good relationships between doctors and patients. That will then fundamentally change the health-seeking behaviour and use of medication for human beings. Singapore will continue to do our part. 

6. Thank you.