Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong at the Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2014, Raffles City Convention Centre, 3 May 2014

Mr Dinesh Verma,
Chairman, Organising Committee for the Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2014 and
President of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association,

Distinguished Speakers and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the 9^th Singapore-International Physiotherapy Congress 2014.

2.            This Congress provides an excellent platform for physiotherapists, academia and healthcare professionals from around the region to exchange their knowledge and expertise in the field of physiotherapy.

3.            This year’s event has a special significance, as it coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA). SPA has been a champion of professional standards of physiotherapists, and in doing so, delivers better health outcomes. This is aptly reflected in the theme of this year’s congress, “Enhancing Health through Physiotherapy: 50 Years & Beyond”.

Significant Milestones for Physiotherapy in Singapore

4.             I am told that physiotherapy took root in Singapore in the early 1940s when British physiotherapists came to Singapore to treat post-war victims and patients with polio.  Ms Lim Peck Ngoh received the first government scholarship to study physiotherapy in London. Together with another scholar, Ms Chin Yew Gaik, they founded the Singapore Physiotherapy Association (SPA) in 1964, and laid the foundations for physiotherapy practice in Singapore.

5.            The SPA was established with the intention of bringing together physiotherapists in Singapore, for professional development and sharing of resources. In the 50 years since its inception, the Association has made significant strides in promoting physiotherapy practice. It has increased public awareness and community outreach through active health promotion programmes.  I am happy to note that SPA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Health Promotion Board (HPB) towards joint efforts in health promotion and preventive care for individuals, schools and organisations.

6.            SPA will be hosting the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) Congress in Singapore next year, to showcase the progress, international recognition and standing of physiotherapists in Singapore. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate SPA for hosting this international event in Singapore and wish the Association success in organising it.

Physiotherapy Intervention in the Care Continuum

7.            Physiotherapists indeed play an important and vital role in the continuum of healthcare services, from rehabilitation to enhancing our physical wellbeing. Early intervention by physiotherapists can alleviate medical complications, expedite recovery and reduce hospitalisation stay. For instance, a patient at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) had developed excessive lung secretions after a major surgery. With an SGH physiotherapist’s help to clear the mucus and assist the patient with the correct breathing techniques, the patient avoided being placed on artificial ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit.

8.            Physiotherapists also play a key role in the sub-acute and community care sectors, where they administer active rehabilitation programmes. For example, a patient diagnosed with an inflammation of her spinal cord, resulting in a paralysis of both legs, was referred to St Luke’s ElderCare after discharge from an acute hospital. There, she received therapy treatments from her physiotherapist, who designed a therapy programme for her and monitored her progress closely. After four months, she regained partial control of her legs, and her condition continued to improve. She said that she now looks forward to every rehabilitation session, as her physiotherapist always encourages her and administers many innovative programmes.

9.            The role of physiotherapists will grow in importance in Singapore as we work together to enable our seniors to age well and age in place, even after an acute illness episode, such as a fall. The Ministry of Health is intensifying our efforts to ramp up our senior care centres in the community to provide a comprehensive suite of services that integrates day care, rehabilitation and community nursing for the convenience of our seniors and their caregivers. MOH will be expanding the network of senior care centres that will provide rehabilitation services, to make rehab services more accessible to our senior population.

10.          At the same time, we recognise that there are some patients who are too frail to leave their homes to undergo rehabilitation in a centre. As such, from 1^st April this year, MOH has provided subsidies for home therapy services through five organisations – Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Community Rehabilitation Programme, TOUCH Home Care, St Luke’s Hospital, The Society for the Physically Disabled and Sunlove Abode for Intellectually-Infirmed. Through home therapy, seniors can receive treatment in a familiar environment to regain functional independence. Caregivers will also be trained to assist patients in daily functions and exercises.

11.          Besides senior care centres, the Ministry of Health has worked with the Family Medicine Clinics and Community Health Centres to provide physiotherapy services to the community. General practitioners may refer patients to these centres for physiotherapy treatment that is appropriate to their medical conditions.

12.          We have also taken steps to make rehabilitation services more affordable. In an effort to reduce outpatient cost for chronic diseases, patients can use their Medisave to pay for part of their outpatient treatment bills for physiotherapy rehabilitation. They can do so at participating Specialist Outpatient Clinics, polyclinics, and Family Medicine Clinics under the Chronic Disease Management Programme.  Singaporeans who qualify for the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) can also benefit from subsidies when they undergo these treatments.

13.          All in all, physiotherapists will play an increasingly important role in the health and well-being of Singaporeans, and we hope to continue to levelup the quality of care in this sector. To date, I am told that we have more than 1,000 physiotherapists registered with the newly established Allied Health Professions Council.

Conclusion

14.          This Congress is an important platform for the exchange of ideas and best practices in physiotherapy. With a range of workshops, lectures and public forums lined up in this congress, I have no doubt that it will spur innovation and thought leadership. I am sure you will have a fruitful time.  For our friends from other countries, we hope you will also have a great time here, and don’t forget to enjoy the sights and the great food in Singapore.

15.          Thank you.