SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEATLH AT THE SINGAPORE-INTERNATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY CONGRESS 2026, 11 JULY 2026, 9AM

Associate Professor Kwah Li Khim, President of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA)

Ms Irene Toh, Organising Chairperson for the Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2026

Assistant Professor Audrey Lim, Organising Vice-Chairperson for the Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2026

Distinguished speakers and guests

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.             Good morning. I am delighted to join you at the 14th Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress.

Introduction

2.             I am heartened to be among professionals who play a critical role in the healthcare eco-system, and I would like to begin by acknowledging the important work that you do to ensure patients recover, regain function and continue to live with confidence. When someone suffers a stroke, or recovers from a total knee replacement, or when children need help to meet developmental milestones — it is often a physiotherapist who is their pillar of health. Physiotherapists are not just treating conditions. You are restoring lives, enabling them to maintain independence and quality of life. And in a society that is ageing as rapidly as ours, that work has never mattered more.

3.             At the same time, our healthcare landscape is evolving. Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly, care needs are becoming more complex, and our workforce is shrinking as birth rates decline. We therefore need to organise ourselves differently. That is why this year’s theme, "Redefining Physiotherapy Through Sustainable and Innovative Practices", is apt and timely. It is not just an aspiration. It is a necessary conversation to undertake. It is important for physiotherapists to think beyond existing constraints and build long-term, sustainable care models that can deliver good outcomes for our patients.

4.             There are three aspects which I would like to highlight as part of the conversation.

(i)             First, how we are bringing care closer to the community, where people live;

(ii)           Second, how technology is reshaping what physiotherapy can do; and

(iii)          Third, how the Ministry of Health is partnering with physiotherapists to shape their future.

Right-siting Physiotherapy Care 

5.             Let me begin with right-siting. Rehabilitation has traditionally been anchored in hospitals. We understand that some patients find travelling to hospital for rehab sessions burdensome, especially if they require a caregiver who may not always be available. Our goal is to expand options and right-site care, where patients receive rehabilitation in the setting that is most appropriate for their needs, whether that is a polyclinic, a community care organisation, or even their own home. Preliminary data suggests we are already moving in the right direction. 

6.             From the findings of the National One-Rehab pilot, the proportion of patients with One-Rehab conditions seen in primary and community care has grown from 40% in the first half of 2023 to 43% in the second half of 2024, in line with our direction to right-site care. Furthermore, patients with non-surgical musculoskeletal conditions, total knee replacements, and mild strokes achieved comparable clinical outcomes in primary and community care as they did in Specialist Outpatient Clinics or inpatient episodes. Behind these numbers is the real impact on patients. For example, a senior who attends rehab at a centre near his or her home recovers just as well, but with greater convenience. We are bringing rehabilitation closer to patients' homes, while reserving hospitals for those with more complex care needs.

7.             Right-siting also requires stronger partnerships beyond traditional healthcare settings. Physiotherapists are increasingly collaborating with fitness instructors to equip them with practical skills and communication strategies to support safe exercise in the community. Community-based agencies like S3, for instance, have launched their first stroke-focused adaptive gym, run by clinically-trained fitness instructors to provide stroke survivors a safe space to keep fit and maintain their independence.

8.             Recently, the Singapore Stroke Rehabilitation Guideline, developed by the Community Rehab Transformation Workgroup established under the National One-Rehab Steering Committee was also launched. The Guideline is Singapore’s first comprehensive, evidence-based stroke rehabilitation guideline, developed in consultation with stroke survivors, caregivers, and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. It sets out best practices for stroke rehabilitation across the care continuum.  This also stresses the importance of close collaboration between acute and community care teams in helping stroke survivors transition between settings without delays to their rehabilitation — ensuring that the patients continue to make progress as they return to the community.

Next Bound: Being Bold with Tech and AI

9.             Shifting care into the community is only part of the picture. To truly meet the demands of a super-aged society, we must also rethink how we work and embrace technology and AI as tools to help us deliver effective and efficient care.

10.          We are already seeing this in practice. In Outram, Sengkang, and Jurong Community Hospitals, patients can now be discharged sooner while physiotherapists remotely monitor their rehabilitation progress and recommend rehabilitation plan adjustments via an AI-assisted program, called ATLAS.  Community therapists are also leveraging assistive technology and telerehab to deliver engaging, effective sessions with greater efficiency. These ensure seamless care continuity for patients. NTUC Health has also deployed an AI tool from CaptureProof that assesses clients' falls risk, ensuring timely exercise interventions developed in partnership with clinicians from the National University Health System.

11.          Technology is also changing how we prepare the next generation. In training future physiotherapists, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) is using AI and technology like ClassAId, Virtual Patient System and the Spinal Mobilisation Objective Feedback Tool to strengthen students’ clinical reasoning and provide real-time, accurate feedback on their manual techniques. This accelerates the development of clinical skills and builds greater confidence during clinical placements. Ultimately, this ensures that the next generation of physiotherapists enters the workforce already equipped to practise in a technology-enabled environment.

12.           As AI becomes more embedded in clinical practice, the question of trust and safety becomes more important. MOH’s updated Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Guidelines (AIHGle 2.0) affirms that innovation must be anchored in strong governance. Safe and responsible AI in healthcare is a shared endeavour – one that calls for close collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, regulators, developers, and patients. With the right guardrails in place, we can pursue innovation with confidence and physiotherapists will be at the heart of this transformation.

Elevating the Profession: National Allied Health Strategy (NAHS)

13.           Let me now take a moment to share how the Ministry of Health is investing in allied health professionals: in your growth, your careers, and your place within our healthcare system.

14.           The National Allied Health Strategy was established to guide professional development and strengthen the capability and responsiveness of the allied health workforce in response to the evolving demands of an ageing population. It aspires to advance innovation and transform allied health practice to deliver sustainable, integrated care, closely aligned with this congress's theme.

15.           The Ministry of Health will work closely with allied health professionals like yourselves to co-create the path ahead, including establishing the framework for Advanced Practice Privileging for physiotherapists in musculoskeletal care. This recognises the depth of expertise that experienced physiotherapists can bring, while opening new pathways for professional development.

16.           The strategy will also focus on building future-oriented knowledge and skills in allied health professionals because we know that a future-ready, resilient workforce is one that never stops growing. Under the strategy, it is envisioned that future AHPs will be versatile experts in their domain, innovative leaders beyond traditional professional boundaries, and autonomous, essential partners in care.  I encourage each of you to take full advantage of the development opportunities available and shape yourselves into physiotherapists ready for the future of healthcare.

Closing

17.           As essential pillars of our healthcare system, I have no doubt you will continue to bring passion to your profession, making a profound impact in helping your clients regain function and age with vitality.

18.           This biennial congress brings together clinicians, researchers, educators and innovators to tackle complex healthcare challenges together, and I am grateful to the Singapore Physiotherapy Association and the organising committee for making it possible.

19.           Thank you, and I wish everyone an inspiring and productive congress.