SPEECH BY PROF KENNETH MAK, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF HEALTH, MOH, AT SINGAPORE CHINESE PHYSICIANS’ ASSOCIATION 48TH COUNCIL INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Dr Goh Kia Seng, President of the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association

Council members, association members, and guests,

I am happy to join you today at the inauguration ceremony of the 48^th Council of the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association (SCPA).

2.          My warmest congratulations to the newly elected Council Members as you assume leadership roles in one of the largest Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) professional organisations in Singapore. And your commitment to serving the TCM community is commendable. I believe that the Association will continue to grow from strength to strength under your leadership. I would also like to thank all outgoing Council Members for your dedication and service in strengthening TCM in Singapore.

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MOH, ACMS and STCMOCC

3.          In April 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) signed an MOU with the Academy of Chinese Medicine, Singapore, along with seven other members of the Singapore Traditional Chinese Medicine Organisations Coordinating Committee (STCMOCC) and the SCPA. The MOU established a framework for professional advice to be sought on matters relating to TCM practice.

4.          And under this framework, MOH has sought professional input from member associations. These expert contributions have been invaluable in helping us to strengthen our regulatory framework, ensuring that the public receives quality care from qualified TCM practitioners who meet rigorous professional standards. And this has been instrumental in enhancing patient safety and trust in legitimate TCM practices, maintaining the integrity and excellence of the TCM sector.

5.          And by working together, we have created a more robust system to safeguard both practitioners' professional standards and patients' wellbeing. This partnership demonstrates how government agencies and professional bodies can work effectively together to uphold healthcare standards in Singapore. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all member associations for your commitment, and for contributing your expertise to this initiative.

6.          There are also other promising areas of collaboration outlined in our MOU that we have yet to explore. For example, we could strengthen our partnership in areas such as:

(a)            The development of practice standards and clinical practice guidelines;

(b)            TCM services and facilities concerning patient safety and infection control;

(c)             TCM education, training curriculum, and assessment; as well as

(d)            TCM research.

7.          And I hope we can work together to further advance TCM practice in Singapore, ultimately benefiting both practitioners and patients in our healthcare ecosystem.

TCM Accreditation

8.          Over the years, Singapore has steadily developed its healthcare infrastructure, expanding both acute care facilities and community healthcare services to meet Singaporeans’ growing healthcare needs. And while we have built a strong foundation, there are ongoing challenges, particularly in managing the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and supporting an ageing population. To strengthen our healthcare ecosystem, we recognise the valuable role that TCM can play in the healthcare ecosystem.

9.          As part of our forward-looking strategy, we announced earlier that there are plans to implement a TCM practitioner and services accreditation framework by 2026. The accreditation framework aims to recognise TCM practitioners of a higher professional competency and TCM service providers with higher quality of service, which will pave the way for TCM practitioners and TCM service providers to participate in national healthcare initiatives, including Healthier SG.

10.       The success of this important initiative rests significantly on the active participation of our TCM community. I strongly encourage all TCM practitioners and service providers to embrace this opportunity for accreditation, as your engagement will be crucial in elevating TCM's role in Singapore's healthcare landscape. And together, we can raise the standards of TCM practice and create more opportunities for integration with the national healthcare system.

Uphold Professional Ethics

11.       True professional excellence extends beyond technical expertise to encompass clinical competency, ethical practice and moral conduct that guide our decisions and interactions with patients and colleagues. The continuous pursuit of knowledge and skills enhancement not only sharpens our clinical acumen but also strengthens our ability to deliver safe and effective care with professionalism, especially integrity, sustaining the public’s trust in the TCM profession.

12.       SCPA, with its substantial base of member physicians, is well-positioned to play an important role in upholding professional standards and ethical practices. It can develop comprehensive training and continuing education programmes to help their practitioners to navigate complex professional situations while maintaining high standards of care and upholding the dignity and integrity of TCM practice.

13.       While MOH can establish regulatory frameworks and controls to safeguard the profession, the true success of maintaining professional standards lies in the TCM practitioners themselves. TCM practitioners must cherish and protect the hard-earned recognition and respect for the profession. We cannot allow the actions of a few unethical practitioners to undermine these achievements or tarnish the reputation that generations of TCM practitioners have built.

Closing

14.       The commitment to professional excellence and ethical practice is fundamental to maintaining public trust. It is crucial to uphold high standards of competency and ethical practice while adapting to the dynamic challenges of modern healthcare and the needs of patients. MOH will continue to work closely with the TCM community to elevate the standards of the TCM sector and enhance the quality of care provided to the community.

15.       And I look forward to your and our collaborative efforts in achieving new milestones in the development of TCM in Singapore. Thank you.