SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MDDI & MOH, AT THE SINGAPORE ALLIED HEALTH CONFERENCE

Adj A/Prof Tan Bee Yee, Group Chief Allied Health Professional, SingHealth

Mr John Tan, Chairperson, Organising Committee, Singapore Allied Health Conference

CEO and Healthcare Leaders

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

1.                Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you here today at the Singapore Allied Health Conference 2025.

Introduction

2.                 Today marks the fourth edition of this conference, which brings together Allied Health and Pharmacy professionals from Singapore and the region to exchange ideas, knowledge, and best practices in the allied health and pharmacy domains.

3.                 I am heartened to see so many of you here so early this morning – Allied Health Professionals (or AHPs), pharmacists, faculty members, as well as students from our Institutes of Higher Learning. We also welcome our overseas delegates; and for the first time, leaders from community care organisations such as St Luke's ElderCare, AWWA Ltd, and Care Corner Singapore will also be speaking at the conference. Together, your diverse perspectives will enrich our discussions and deepen collaboration across borders and care settings for the next two days.

Wide-ranging Engagement in the Development of the National Allied Health Strategy

4.                 This year’s conference theme, ‘Empowering Allied Health: Advancing Practice, Transforming Care’, highlights the potential of AHPs in driving innovation, improving patient outcome and shaping the future of healthcare delivery across diverse settings. This echoes our national push for the advancement of allied health and pharmacy here. Nationally, we now have the National Pharmacy Strategy and the upcoming National Allied Health Strategy to guide the development of our workforce to ensure that we are ready to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Singapore. 

5.                 Since early 2024, MOH has been working on developing this roadmap for AHPs and it is in the final stages of development. This effort has involved engaging over 3,000 stakeholders—AHPs, educators and people they work with—including doctors, nurses and patients and their caregivers. Together, they help map a way forward that will prepare our allied health workforce for the challenges ahead. This extensive stakeholder engagement also highlights the diversity of AHPs and the wide range of sectors in which they contribute to, reflecting the collaborative effort required to transform care and meet patient needs across the health continuum.

6.                 From the inputs received, three key strategic areas have emerged to prepare our AHPs for the future, recognising that care will no longer be delivered in the same way and that AHP roles will need to be transformed.

a.     First, elevating the professional recognition of AHPs and the expertise you bring;

b.    Second, advancing innovation and transforming allied health practice to provide sustainable and integrated care; and

c.     Third, focusing on education and professional development opportunities to build a resilient and responsive allied health workforce.

7.                 We are thankful for the feedback and insights that have helped shape this strategy. We look forward to sharing more details on the strategy soon and how these strategic areas will guide how AHPs grow, practice and shape the future of healthcare in Singapore.

8.                 The three conference tracks— i) Workforce development, ii) New Models of Care, and iii) Strengthening Education and Research capabilities, aligns closely with these strategic areas. Hence, I am confident that the discussions and workshops over the next two days will provide you with new tools, insights and inspiration to unlock your potential, whether you aspire to be a clinical expert, a leader, a researcher, or contributing in any other capacities.

Launch of Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy

9.                 Empowering AHPs is not only about advancing individual practice, but also about connecting, collaborating and contributing beyond our borders. Across the region, healthcare systems are navigating rapid technological change amidst ageing populations, and the rise of non-communicable diseases. By 2035, ASEAN will have nearly 127 million people aged 60 and above, and across Asia, older persons are projected to nearly double – from about 650 million in 2022 to 1.3 billion by 2050. Non-communicable diseases account for roughly three-quarters of global deaths today. These dynamics call for a step-change in how care is organised, competencies are developed, and teams are led.

10.           The stability and effectiveness of Singapore’s healthcare system is intertwined with that of the region. Our diverse allied health and pharmacy community has much to offer in building stronger health systems, improving patient outcomes and protecting the vulnerable in the region. We are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to regional capacity building—not by exporting ready-made solutions but by working alongside our partners to share experiences, adapt innovations and learn from one another to build sustainable, locally relevant models of care. 

11.           Today, we mark an important milestone with the launch of two new centres under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute: The Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy. Since 2018, the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute has coordinated and scaled global health efforts across Asia. These two centres build upon that foundation, serving as platforms for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and partnership development – connecting expertise across borders to strengthen allied health and pharmacy capabilities where they are needed most. Under the Centre for Global Allied Health, the National Cancer Centre Singapore will conduct a virtual education programme to upskill Radiation Therapists in Calmette Hospital, Cambodia in 2026. Meanwhile the Centre for Global Pharmacy will see a collaboration between SingHealth and University College London on Pharmacy Connect, a global initiative aimed at transforming pharmacy education in pharmaceutical supply chain security. This marks a new chapter of transformation, formalising SingHealth’s allied health and pharmacy community strong commitment to global health. Both centres will contribute to public health efforts and champion innovation in workforce development and education.

Closing

12.           In closing, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to SingHealth and Duke-NUS on the launch of the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute.

13.           As we look to the future, let us remember that the transformation of care is not the work of one institution or a single profession – it is a collective journey built on shared vision, trust, and collaboration. As we come together at this conference, let us connect and share our experiences and explore new ways to advance practice, improve outcomes and create a health system that serves every individual with compassion and excellence.

14.           I wish you a fruitful conference ahead. Thank you.