Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the National Medical Excellence Awards Ceremony 2016, 17 Aug 2016

Distinguished colleagues and guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening

Introduction

1.         It is my pleasure to join you this evening at this year’s National Medical Excellence Awards (NMEA) Ceremony. Tonight, we are here to recognise a select group of outstanding and talented healthcare professionals who have made significant contributions in clinical practice, research, education, and healthcare delivery.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery

2.         Since we launched the Healthcare 2020 Masterplan in 2012, we have made significant progress towards improving accessibility, quality and affordability of healthcare for Singaporeans. 

3.         With an ageing population, our healthcare needs will naturally grow, and it is therefore critical for us to transform healthcare delivery to ensure that Singaporeans continue to receive appropriate care and that the system is sustainable in the long run. One key strategy is to move beyond healthcare to focus on providing good health. The starting point rests with each and every one of us. Every individual must take personal responsibility to live a healthy life. Advancements in technology now enable us to track our own health, and more information is available on common diseases that afflict us. Hence, as part of MOH’s “War on Diabetes”, we are stepping up on initiatives to address this long-term chronic disease by encouraging self-awareness and self-governance of our well-being.   

4.         It is also important for us to move beyond quality to enhancing value of our healthcare, through productivity efforts and innovation that bring about resource-effective care throughout the healthcare system.

Promoting Medical Excellence

5.          At the same time, we need to continuously find innovative ways to improve clinical and service quality while ensuring a sustainable healthcare system.

6.         Therefore, we need to translate research into practice and to invest in innovations to benefit healthcare delivery. The vision is for Singapore to become a leading centre that advances human health and wellness and creates value for Singapore and Singaporeans.

7.         Our healthcare professionals and researchers play an important role in the realisation of this vision. This evening, we recognise these dedicated professionals, who in their various roles, have contributed to achieving the best care outcomes across the healthcare system. They have also inspired and mentored younger colleagues in research, innovation, medical education and service quality.

About the Winners

8.         For this year’s NMEA, we are giving out 4 individual awards and 1 team award.  For the individual awards, we have Professor Roy Chan, winner of the National Outstanding Clinician Award. Currently the Medical Advisor at the National Skin Centre (NSC), Professor Chan was also its Director for a decade from 2004 to 2014. Under his directorship, NSC was the first medical centre in Asia Pacific to adopt the advanced level of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in outpatient care.  Professor Chan also founded Action for AIDS (AfA), a charity organisation dedicated to fighting AIDS/HIV infection. He spearheaded new testing paradigms and was instrumental in bringing about affordable and accessible medications to thousands of Singaporean patients, and reducing the incidence level to among the lowest in the world for the most at-risk groups. 

9.         Professor Chng Wee Joo from the National University Health System is awarded the National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award. Professor Chng is an accomplished haematologist and has pioneered new ways to deliver cancer treatment. Prof Chng played a pivotal role in the introduction of the first outpatient autologous stem cell transplant for myeloma, which was performed at National University Cancer Institute of Singapore (NCIS) in 2011.  His contributions have also led to the success of NCIS as a world-renowned centre for haematology.

10.       As our clinicians and healthcare providers continue to excel in their respective fields, we must not forget the importance of advancing medical education for the younger generation.  Associate Professor Pang Weng Sun, from Yishun Community Hospital and Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, the award winner for the National Outstanding Clinician Educator Award, is one who has contributed tirelessly in this aspect. A pioneer in geriatric and palliative medicine, Associate Professor Pang contributed significantly to the development of the Graduate Diploma courses in Geriatric Medicine and the establishment of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine.   

11.       Our winner for the National Outstanding Clinical Quality Champion Award, Mr Wu Tuck Seng from the National University Health System. Mr Wu is another exemplary talent. The Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) was his brainchild and its development and implementation has earned world-class recognition. He also played a vital role in the implementation of the Closed Loop Medication Management System (CLMMS). Both systems have won multiple awards locally and internationally.

12.       As for the team award, this year’s National Clinical Excellence Team Award is awarded to the Nephrology Evaluation, Management and Optimization (NEMO) programme. The NEMO programme, implemented in 2011, has seen improvements in the progress of patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease, averting them from the onset of kidney failure or the requirement for dialysis or kidney transplantations. The NEMO programme’s success is also due to the strong collaborative efforts between the National University Health System and the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, and among various healthcare professions within these institutions.

13.       For the ninth year running, NMEA continues to recognise and celebrate outstanding healthcare professionals and their achievements. More importantly, NMEA brings our clusters and healthcare professionals together, as we work towards a common vision of a healthy nation that allows our people to live well, live long and with peace of mind.

Conclusion

14.       Let me extend my warmest congratulations to all the winners this year.  You are the role models of commitment and innovation in healthcare whom we honour and appreciate. I wish you every success as you continue to dedicate yourselves in the pursuit of medical excellence.

15.       Thank you.