SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE 8TH APMCHC AND IPRAMHO INTERNATIONAL MEETING 2025

Professor Alex Sia, CEO, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH),

Associate Professor Tan Lay Kok, President, College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Singapore,

Professor Tan Kok Hian, Chairman, Organising Committee of the Asia Pacific Maternal and Child Health Conference (APMCHC) and Integrated Platform for Research in Advancing Maternal and Child Health Outcomes (IPRAMHO) International Meeting 2025,

Speakers and panel members,

Distinguished guests,

Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here for this year’s APMCHC and the IPRAMHO International Meeting.

2. I am really delighted to see the continued collaboration across organisations, through the SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute (MCHRI), to improve health outcomes for women and children. Today, I am particularly interested in the topic that you have decided to focus your attention on - sexual health for women of reproductive age and the new Guidelines the MCHRI that will be launched to address this crucial aspect of women's health.

Sexual health and its impact on women's health

3. Sexual health in women of reproductive age is important. Other than the physical aspects, it touches every aspect of a woman's life - her emotions, mental well-being, and social interactions. It shapes how she views herself, relates to others, and ultimately, the quality of the life she has. Moreover, it is deeply connected to some of life's most important decisions - when to start a family, how to balance personal and professional aspirations, and how to achieve a sense of fulfilment. In short, sexual health is not just about health - it is about a woman's life journey.

4. While Singapore has made progress in improving maternal and child health over the years, two recent local studies by KKH have highlighted areas for improvements in sexual health.

5. One local study involving close to 800 women aged 21 to 45 revealed that more than half of the respondents had challenges with various aspects of their sexual function and were unaware of common symptoms related to female sexual health issues. While most women surveyed agreed on the importance of awareness and education in this area, less than half would seek medical help if they experienced such issues. This highlights the importance of sexual health and taking action to address it.

6. Interestingly, most women believe that healthcare professionals should proactively discuss sexual health issues when appropriate. However, a second study among 500 healthcare professionals in Singapore revealed its own set of challenges. Fewer than 1 in 10 healthcare professionals were aware of existing sexual health guidelines, and only 2 in 10 knew about available screening tools. 6 in 10 of these professionals rarely or only sometimes screened for sexual health issues or provided counselling on lifestyle habits that could optimise sexual health.

7. These findings underscore the need for increased awareness, education, and open dialogue about women's sexual health - not just among women, but also within the healthcare community.

Guidelines for sexual health of women of reproductive age

8. To address these issues, KKH has developed the Guidelines on Sexual Health for Women of Reproductive Age, which provides guidance on screening, assessment, education, and optimisation strategies across all stages of reproductive health, including preconception, antenatal, and postnatal periods. The Guidelines also highlight special considerations for diverse populations who are at high risk of sexual health issues such as those with cancer, a history of abuse or have mental health challenges.

9. KKH will be disseminating the guidelines to healthcare professionals by end 2025, and I hope that these guidelines will support healthcare providers who interact with patients in their clinical practice, as it emphasises the importance of open communication about sexual health between healthcare providers and patients and encourages professionals to integrate these discussions into routine care. This approach aims to create a supportive environment where women feel comfortable discussing their concerns.

Closing

10. In closing, I would like to extend my gratitude to all the partners who have been crucial to this initiative – the medical professional bodies and associations, including those focused on obstetrics, gynaecology, andrology, family medicine, and urology, the allied health partners in physiotherapy and psychology and Health Promotion Board. Indeed, many, many partners who made this happen. I would also like to thank KKH and all participating institutions for their dedication to improve the health outcomes of women and children. The launch of these guidelines marks yet another important step in our journey towards comprehensive healthcare for women.

11. By addressing sexual health openly and proactively, we can contribute to better overall health, stronger relationships, and improved quality of life for women in their reproductive years. Thank you, and I wish you all a productive and insightful conference.