SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE 9TH ASIA PACIFIC NURSES CONVENTION 2026

Ms Samantha Ong, President, Singapore Nurses Association, Organising Committee for the 9th ASPAN 2026

Ms Paulin Koh, Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health

Nurses,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.               A very good morning to all of you. It really gives me great pleasure to join you at the opening of the 9th Asia Pacific Nurses Convention (ASPAN). To our international delegates, a very warm welcome to Singapore. We are delighted to have you here, and I hope that these few days will be meaningful and productive for all of you.

2.               I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Singapore Nurses Association (SNA), the organising committee, the volunteers, and all the partners who have worked so hard to make this convention possible. Events like this scale do not happen by chance. They happen because of people who care deeply, and who put in the quiet, collaborative work to make this something worthwhile to come together for. Thank you for making this possible. Please give them a big round of applause.

Empowering Nurses — What It Really Means

3.               This year's theme — "Empowering Nurses: Leading the Future of Healthcare" deserves a moment of reflection.

4.               Empowerment is often spoken of, but what does it mean in practice? To me, it means creating the conditions where nurses have the autonomy, the resources, and the institutional support to make decisions, drive change, and lead — not merely execute. It means moving beyond a model of care where nurses are seen primarily as implementers of care, to one where they are recognised as architects of it.

5.               That shift requires trust, investment and healthcare systems willing to entrust shared decision-making power with nurses - those closest to patients every single day. This is the right direction, and our healthcare system is committed to supporting nurses as high-functioning, innovating leaders of care teams.

The Evolving Role of Nurses

6.               Across Asia Pacific, healthcare systems are under significant pressures. We are dealing with ageing populations, rising chronic diseases, workforce constraints, and rapid technological change. These challenges are not new, but they are becoming more urgent. In Singapore, with one of the fastest-ageing populations in the world, the demands on our healthcare system — and on our nurses — will only intensify.

7.               In this context, the role of nurses has expanded considerably. Nurses today are not only caregivers, but also clinicians, educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, quality improvement leads, and increasingly, advocates for systemic change. Many are leading clinical teams, shaping care delivery, and driving innovation. In Singapore, we have seen this firsthand — through initiatives like Community Health Posts and Healthier SG, our nurses are playing an active role in preventive care, supporting residents in developing personalised health plans, conducting screenings, managing chronic diseases and connecting patients to community partners.

8.               This convention reflects that evolution. Over the next few days, delegates will explore important topics including nursing professionalism, psychological safety, digital transformation, artificial intelligence in healthcare, patient safety, workforce wellbeing, leadership development, and innovation. These conversations are important because the future of healthcare will not be shaped by technology or policies alone, but by people — and nurses will play a central role in that transformation.

On Digital Transformation

9.               Artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and digital health tools are already being used in clinical settings. They surface patterns in patient data, enhance decision-making, support more efficient care delivery, and reduce administrative burden. These are real benefits, and we must harness them.

10.           But technology is only as effective as the people and systems that who support it. A digital tool that does not fit into workflows, or that is designed without inputs from frontline staff, will not deliver the outcomes it promises. This is why the voices of nurses matter so much in digital transformation — not just as end users, but contributors to how these tools are designed, evaluated, and deployed. The knowledge that comes from being at the bedside, from understanding how care works in practice, is something that no algorithm can replicate.

11.           In Singapore, we have been deliberate in involving nurses in the design and deployment of digital health tools because we know that the best outcomes come when technology is shaped by those who use it.

12.           At the same time, technology is an enabler of care, not a replacement for it. The trust that patients place in nurses, the judgment exercised in complex situations, and the human connection that defines the patient experience— these are irreplaceable.

On Workforce Well-being and Psychological Safety

13.           The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the resilience of nurses in ways that were genuinely remarkable. But it also highlighted gaps that we cannot afford to ignore — in workforce support, in mental health resources, and in the conditions under which nurses are expected to work.

14.           Resilience is important. But it should not be used as a substitute for adequate support. Healthcare systems must invest in the well-being of their nursing workforce — not only in times of crisis, but as a matter of routine. This means creating workplaces where nurses feel safe to raise concerns, where professional development is accessible, and their contributions are properly recognised.

15.           Psychological safety is not a ‘soft’ issue. It is directly linked to patient safety. When nurses feel safe to speak up — to flag a concern, to question a decision, to raise an error without fear — patients are safer. And when they do not, the consequences can be serious. Healthcare institutions therefore must invest deliberately in this.

16.           In Singapore, MOH formed the Standing Committee for Nursing, which brings together nursing leaders and policymakers to develop strategies for building a competent, resilient, and future-ready nursing workforce. A key part of that work involves engaging nurses directly on issues of career development, well-being, and professional fulfilment, because we recognise that the strength of our healthcare system depends on our nurses feeling valued, supported, and empowered.

On Regional Collaboration

17.           One of the greatest strengths of ASPAN is the opportunity for exchange across different healthcare systems. Delegates here today come from countries with different resources, challenges, and approaches. That diversity is invaluable.

18.           I encourage you to make the most of that over the next few days — to share what has worked, what has not, and to build connections that will continue well beyond this convention. The challenges we face in healthcare are not ones that any single country can solve on its own. Regional sharing is and will be valuable.

Closing

19.           Let me close by saying this: nurses, your work matters. The daily decisions you make, the care you provide, and the outcomes you shape– they carry significant weight. Every act of compassion, every difficult decision, every patient you comfort, every colleague you support — these moments make an immeasurable difference.

20.           Leadership in nursing does not require a title. It shows in the advocacy for a patient, in supporting a colleague, in speaking up when something is not right, and in pursuing professional growth despite the demands of the job. It also means stepping into formal leadership roles with confidence — and I hope this convention will equip you with both the inspiration and the tools to do so.

21.           I also hope that these few days will give you the space to reflect, to learn, and to return to your institutions with greater clarity and purpose. And to our overseas delegates, I hope you leave Singapore not with just new knowledge, but with new friendships formed and a renewed sense of mission.

22.           Thank you once again to SNA and all the partners who have made ASPAN 2026 possible. I wish all delegates a productive, inspiring, and meaningful convention.

23.           Thank you.