SPEECH BY MR KOH POH KOON, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF TENGAH POLYCLINIC, 28 FEBUARY 2026

Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, and Adviser to Chua Chu Kang GRC

Dr Choo Pei Ling, Adviser to Chua Chu Kang GRC for Tengah division

Prof Yeoh Khay Guan, Chief Executive, National University Health System

Dr Lew Yii Jen, Chief Executive Officer, National University Polyclinics (NUP)

Colleagues from the healthcare industry, partners,

Distinguished guests

Residents of Tengah

Ladies and gentlemen

1.         A very good morning. First of all, happy new year to everyone. On this very auspicious day, we are here to open this very new facility here in Tengah. Of course, I am pleased to join you here this morning for the official opening of Tengah Polyclinic. This is our 28th polyclinic and marks another milestone in our journey towards having 32 polyclinics by 2030.

Strengthening Primary Care

2.         Under the national Healthier SG strategy, polyclinics play a critical role in delivering preventive and primary care, nurturing long-term patient relationships and supporting residents to adopt healthier lifestyles. The addition of Tengah Polyclinic will help NUP meet the care needs of Singaporeans living in the west.

3.         For a new town like Tengah, this is absolutely critical, not just because you have more F&B options, but importantly, this is where we make health happen for Tengah young families and elderly alike. So I am also heartened to hear that Tengah Polyclinic’s opening will mark two important 'firsts' for NUP - the launch of NUHSConnect, and the introduction of enhanced lactation services.

New Community-Based Initiative: NUHSConnect

4.         Let me explain. Tengah Polyclinic will be the first institution within the NUHS (National University Health System) cluster to launch NUHSConnect. So you are the first to get this wonderful service. This is a community-based initiative designed to help residents aged 40 and above stay healthy, active, and socially engaged. As part of NUHSConnect, trained health ambassadors will connect residents to programmes and community resources, so that they can take better ownership of their health. This is one initiative that will go upstream to make sure when you are 40, you start investing in your longer-term health and not wait until you start to have problems. We often say screening and prevention is always better than cure. So, this is one initiative that will put the initiative into your hands.

5.         Programmes and activities will include exercise classes, health talks and social activities, which can be held within the polyclinic or at many of the other community spaces that will progressively open up in this new town, in partnership with many of the community organisations, with the aim to strengthen healthy habits, support your mental wellbeing, and foster social bonds - very important things for a new town where new neighbours get to know one another and importantly, hopefully encourage one another to take on healthy living habits.

6.         These health ambassadors will also follow up with residents to encourage sustained participation, ensuring that residents continue to receive preventive care and engage in good health habits over the longer-term. So remember, this is an investment in your longer term health. It's not just a once off consultation. Through NUHSConnect, NUP will go beyond medical care, to also contribute to empowering residents to lead healthier lives.

7.         We must also continue fostering close partnerships between the primary and community care providers. For instance, the polyclinic patients can be referred to community health posts nearer their home, so residents can access community-based services such as healthy lifestyle counselling, which complement the polyclinic-based care. Together, these efforts will support the Healthier SG vision of stronger preventive care, anchored within our community.

New Enhanced Lactation Service

8.         Now, what is the other ‘first’? Another ‘first’ at Tengah Polyclinic is the official launch of NUP’s Lactation Consultant Service, developed in partnership with National University Hospital (NUH). This builds on the good work of NUP’s existing Lactation Support Service. NUP’s Lactation Consultants are nurses who have undergone specialised training and have been internationally certified in breastfeeding and lactation care. They are therefore able to provide support for young mothers with more complex lactation issues that would traditionally have been referred to a hospital for management. So in a new town where lots of young families are moving in, I believe this is an important addition, a very important service that our polyclinic provides, more than what other healthcare facility nearby can actually also provide as well.

9.         To illustrate how this works in practice, let me share an example from NUP's pilot. Say a mother whose baby had been diagnosed with mild tongue tie – this is a real case) – a condition that limits the tongue’s mobility and can cause difficulty for the baby to latch on. She initially visited NUP for their basic Lactation Support Service when she experienced painful latching issues.

10.         NUP's lactation support nurses helped her with positioning and latching techniques, which helped to reduce the pain. But, as the baby became increasingly fussy during latching, the mother decided to bottle feed despite her preference and the desire for breastfeeding. NUP’s Lactation Consultant stepped in to assess and apply specialised techniques, which enabled the baby to eventually transition back to full direct breastfeeding. This example demonstrates how NUP's enhanced service allows us to address more complex challenges right here within the community. You can imagine how much trouble it would have saved the mother, to have to bring the baby further away to go to a hospital.

11.         NUP right now has five nurses who are certified as Lactation Consultants, and seven more are in the preparation stage for certification. I am happy to note that this new Lactation Consultant Service will be rolled out fully across all NUP polyclinics by the end of this year.

Closing

12.         In closing, let me just thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to make this a reality, to make Tengah Polyclinic come to life, from the teams doing the development to the healthcare and clinical teams to our Grassroots Advisers, who have supported the team on the ground in making this possible, and, of course, to many of the partners who have leaned in and to check their views as well, who have ensured that the facility meet the needs of the community and its residents. Thank you so much for making this a possibility. I think this will be something that will be an iconic location for many residents who have their families here, families grow up, and for the community who build their bonds together.

13.         It is now my pleasure to declare Tengah Polyclinic officially open. Congratulations.