Speech by Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong at the International Conference for the Modernisation of Chinese Medicine, 23 Oct 2016

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization,
Dr Ang Liang, President of Academy of Chinese Medicine, Singapore,
Prof Phua Kok Khoo, Director, Institute of Advanced Studies, NTU,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good morning.

1.        To Dr Margaret Chan and our distinguished delegates from overseas, welcome to Singapore. It gives me great pleasure to join you here this morning at the opening ceremony of the International Conference for the Modernisation of Chinese Medicine.

2.        We are privileged to have Dr Margaret Chan, a doctor herself trained in public health together with eminent researchers and administrators from the region and Singapore, coming here to share their experiences in Traditional Chinese Medicine and how it can complement current medical treatment and contribute to better care for patients.

3.        With continued developments within the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) over the past few decades, and increasing interest in complementary medicine, public interest in TCM has also increased. Conferences like this one provide a platform for sharing of knowledge and experience about TCM. 

Challenges that arises from an ageing population

4.        Singapore faces significant challenges to its healthcare system. Our population is ageing rapidly, and our people are living longer than ever before. By year 2030, more than one-fifth of our population will be over 65 years old. About a quarter of Singaporeans aged 40 and above will have at least one chronic disease. Our aging population will not only mean a heavier chronic disease load but also one with increased complexity.

5.        While TCM in Singapore is complementary to mainstream medicine, TCM’s principles and approaches to disease prevention and management have the potential to play an important role in meeting the healthcare challenges of Singapore’s ageing society. Acupuncture, for niche areas like pain management and stroke rehabilitation, is now available at public hospitals, an important step to a more holistic approach to patient care.

6.        The increasing demand for TCM treatment in Singapore and rising patient expectations means that we have to continue to raise the professionalism in TCM and enhance its safety and efficacy.

Modernisation of TCM to meet changing population needs

7.        Today’s conference on the modernisation of Chinese Medicine is an effort to bring the ancient practice of TCM in line with modern scientific standards. Accumulating evidence-based research is key for TCM’s continued development to reach the goals of better quality, safety and efficacy, and further contribute to Singapore’s healthcare.

8.        I hope that through this conference, there will be a greater exchange of ideas between doctors and TCM practitioners. Collaboration and sharing of good clinical practices should be encouraged. TCM practitioners should strive for consensus while respecting differences. Having good clinical practice is especially important in the authentication, quality control, safety assessments and appropriate use of TCM.

9.        The integration of three important aspects - education, clinical practice and research - is essential in the modernisation of TCM. To meet these challenges, the TCM community must continuously improve on professional standards, strengthen academic research and enhance academic exchange and research cooperation.

Encouraging more clinical research to promote evidence-based TCM

10.        Therefore, I would like to encourage TCM institutions to explore scientific methods in carrying out evidence-based research on the safety and effectiveness of TCM treatments. This will help healthcare providers and the public make more informed decisions and provide clinically-proven, cost-effective TCM treatment to serve our healthcare needs more efficiently.

11.        To kick start research efforts, the Ministry of Health had ring-fenced $3 million to encourage collaborative clinical research in TCM. The focus of such research initiatives should be on conditions which are prevalent in Singapore, such as chronic diseases. TCM professionals can work alongside medical colleagues to improve patient outcomes. I encourage the healthcare community to form effective partnerships to conduct such research.

Conclusion

12.        In closing, I would like to thank the Academy of Chinese Medicine, and Institute of Advanced Studies, NTU for organising this conference. I am confident that participants will benefit from the academic exchanges, and establish useful networks with experts from other regions.

13.        I wish you a fruitful conference. Thank you.