SPEECH BY MR TAN KIAT HOW, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE S3 CONFERENCE 2025

Professor Lim Soon Thye, Deputy Group CEO (Research, Education & Innovation), SingHealth

Associate Professor Shiva Sarraf-Yazdi, Vice-Dean, Office of Education, Duke-NUS Medical School

Dr Tess Teo, Mrs Sigrun Anna Qvindesland and Mr Ferooz Sekandarpoor, Organising Chairs of the S3 Conference 2025

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen in the audience

1                 A very good afternoon. Very happy to join you at this year’s S3 Conference, jointly organised by the

a.     SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Medical Simulation (SIMS),

b.     the Society for Simulation in Europe, and

c.     the Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists.

2                 Very happy to come by and have a chance to hear a very inspiring and stimulating presentation earlier.

Importance of Simulation Training in Healthcare

3                 Medical simulation has evolved from a teaching tool to an indispensable cornerstone of healthcare education.

a.     It offers a safe and controlled environment where healthcare professionals can develop and refine their clinical skills.

b.     This experiential learning approach allows trainees to practise complex procedures, hone their clinical response to both conventional and rare clinical scenarios, and develop critical decision-making skills in realistic settings.

Growth of Medical Simulation in the Region

4                 We have seen a remarkable growth in simulation-based medical education both at home, as well as around the world

a.   Over the past five years, SIMS has contributed to regional developments in medical simulation training.

b.   The number of workshops grew from around 750 to over 1,200.

c.   Participant enrolment increased from about 8,700 to more than 21,000.

5                 The Institute has attracted participants from around the region such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Brunei, China, and other territories in the Asia-Pacific region.

6                 Healthcare clusters have also embraced medical simulation into their training programmes.

7                 The Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore established a simulation centre in 2023.

a.   It features more than 20 different digital and mechanical simulators that replicate real operating theatre environments.

b.   This enables surgical trainees to develop proficiency in complex procedures such as mitral valve surgery.

8                 At Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the Simulation & Integrated Medical Training Advancement Centre serves as a hub for simulation-based healthcare education across the entire NHG cluster.

a.     The facility features simulated clinical environments including wards, intensive care units, emergency resuscitation rooms and operating theatres.

b.     This setup enables multidisciplinary training across various specialties, allowing teams to practise coordinated care scenarios and refine both technical skills and interpersonal communication. It’s not just about learning technical proficiencies, but building the relationships and improving communications among the participants.

Launch of the Southeast Asian Simulation Educator and Simulation Technologist Certifications

9                 And today marks another significant step in fostering regional excellence in healthcare simulation.

10             So I am very delighted to announce the launch of two new certifications for simulation professionals across Southeast Asia:

a.     First, the Certified Educator in Healthcare Simulation for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals delivering simulation-based education, and

b.     Second, the Certified Technologist in Healthcare Simulation for technical specialists and operations staff supporting simulation training programmes.

11             Developed through collaboration between SIMS, the Pan Asia Simulation Society in Healthcare, and the Malaysian Society for Simulation in Healthcare, these certifications will support and validate the competencies of healthcare simulation professionals across our region.

12             They address the gaps that Southeast Asian simulation professionals have faced with existing international certifications.

13             For instance, current international certifications often present scenarios covering weather and environmental considerations, education systems, technical terminologies, and cultural dynamics that may not align with Southeast Asian healthcare environments. Such contextual differences highlight the need for regionally relevant certification programmes that better reflect our healthcare systems and cultural context.

14             The new certifications will deliver accessible and regionally relevant education while maintaining rigorous international standards. These certifications will be rolled out by the end of 2026.

Developing Capabilities in the Field of Healthcare Simulation

15             The launch of these two certification programmes builds upon SIMS' ongoing work in expanding medical simulation capabilities across different areas of the healthcare ecosystem. Let me share a few examples of recent developments.

16             First, the TeamSIM initiative, developed in collaboration with the SingHealth Institute of Patient Safety and Quality, introduces the "Mayhem Room" concept.

a.       It trains interprofessional teams to identify errors and hazards using a systems approach.

b.       SIMS has tested critical processes at wards in the SingHealth Tower and the new SGH Emergency Medicine Building.

c.       Simulation was used to test emergency response protocols and resuscitation procedures.

d.       These exercises ensure that every new facility and process is thoroughly validated before going live, creating safer environments for both patients and staff.

17             Second example, together with Duke-NUS Medical School, SIMS developed an Emergency Department Thoracotomy trainer that delivers comparable training value to expensive commercial simulators, but at a significantly lower cost.

a.       Using 3D-printed components, this modular trainer allows for repeated practise of critical trauma procedures for patients with penetrating chest injuries – something rarely possible in clinical settings.

b.       Such developments highlight the potential of technology-driven solutions through cost-effective innovations.

Closing

18             In closing, medical simulation has become an established and integral component of modern healthcare training worldwide. As the field continues to evolve, conferences like this serve as vital platforms for fostering collaboration, exchanging expertise, and driving innovation that will shape the future of healthcare education.

19             Through these programmes, Singapore aims to contribute to the region’s drive to raise healthcare excellence and improve patient care.

20             I wish everyone a very productive and fulfilling conference, learning from the experts that we brought together this time round, and importantly, learning from one another and meeting new friends and comrades in these important efforts. So thank you very much.