Speech by Mr Amrin Amin, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health, at the NAMIC Healthcare Summit, 21 July 2017

Dr Ho Chaw Sing, Managing Director, NAMIC

Dr Lim Jui, CEO, NTUitive

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good morning.

1.            It gives me great pleasure to join you at the NAMIC Healthcare Summit today. This is the third instalment of the additive manufacturing Summit Series, and the first focused on Healthcare. I am also delighted to be here for the launch of the NUS Centre for Additive Manufacturing (AM.NUS).

Emergence of new technologies

2.            Scientific discoveries and innovative technology through the years have played significant roles in advancing medicine and improving healthcare, which have ultimately contributed to reduced mortality and morbidity of patients. In this light, the emerging process of additive manufacturing, or what is commonly known as 3D printing, has drawn much interest and anticipation for its possibilities in bringing better health outcomes and value to patients.

3.            In healthcare, the last 20 years were arguably the most thrilling period for 3D printing, when the first 3D-printed organs were implanted in humans. More recently, scientists have also discovered that, in theory, blood vessels, skin and even embryonic stem cells could be 3D printed.

4.            In mainstream manufacturing, 3D printing has had most success with prosthetics, dental work and hearing aids which can all be made from plastic or pliable materials, and often require to be customised to meet patients’ needs. This has also been achieved by our researchers from National Dental Centre Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, who developed a 3D printed scaffold to grow bone for placing dental implants after a tooth has been extracted. With this, the need for painful bone grafting from other parts of the patient’s body is avoided.

Beyond Quality to value

5.            Technological innovations are crucial for sustained economic growth and the development of 3D printing capabilities is one area which will help Singapore’s manufacturing sectors for the future.^[1]  However, while technological advancements may lead to extended life span and improved quality of life, we need to bear in mind its impact on healthcare cost. Healthcare costs continue to soar because patients today have many more options, and this is further compounded by an ageing population.

6.            Containing cost while introducing new technology is equally important in ensuring healthcare innovations are sustainable and affordable for our patients. We want to go beyond quality, to offer patients Value in healthcare. The Ministry of Health recently established the Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE) to better drive decision-making about clinically and cost-effectiveness treatments. We are mindful that newer treatments may not always mean better outcomes. ACE evaluates health technologies, such as drugs and medical devices, for the public healthcare sector.  The evaluations compare health technologies with alternative treatment options to identify interventions that are clinically effective and offer the best value for patients. This will give caregivers, doctors, and patients information so that they can make informed decisions about treatments.

7.            I am encouraged to note that 3D printing holds the potential to reduce costs due to its advantages over conventional manufacture through mass customisation, reduction in production cost and efficient material / waste management. I recently read^[2] of the development of 3D-printed skin for burn victims and airway splints for babies with rare lung defect (tracheobronchomalacia), which makes the tiny airways around the lungs prone to collapsing. The airway splints are especially significant since they were the first 3D implant made for kids and are designed to grow with the patient. They have been successfully tested in 3 children between the ages of 3-16 months as of April 2015. Most significantly, the splints can be produced in a matter of hours and only cost about $10 per unit. As such, this technology holds great promise for us.

Need for collaboration for continued innovation and adoption of 3D printing for healthcare applications

8.            For continued innovation and adoption of 3D printing, collaborations with different sectors are necessary. Since its formation in 2015, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) has actively engaged more than 500 companies and institutions locally and globally.

9.            Likewise, the new NUS Centre for Additive Manufacturing (AM.NUS) aims to serve a wide spectrum of industry players, including SMEs and MNCs. The Centre will apply ground-breaking additive manufacturing technology, in particular within the biomedical and healthcare fields. Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between AM.NUS and its industry partners will help accelerate the adoption of 3D printing in the local industry. AM.NUS’ specific focus on healthcare applications further aims to bring the latest in innovative technology to clinicians, with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Importantly, the collaboration will bring together industry, clinicians, hospitals, engineers and designers to tackle complex healthcare issues.

Conclusion

10.         I wish NAMIC, AM.NUS and industry partners continued success in advancing the field of 3D printing and promoting its adoption in local enterprises. We look forward to the developments of 3D printing in healthcare and the exciting possibilities in meeting patients’ needs.

11.         Thank you and I wish all of you an enjoyable morning.

^[1]Speech by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry, at the launch of Singapore Centre for 3D Printing on 17 May 2016

^[2] 3D printing is already changing health care; Harvard Business Review; Drew Hendricks, 4 March 2016.