Speech by Minister-of-State for Health and Manpower Dr Amy Khor at the 1st Singapore International Public Health Conference and 7th Singapore Public Health and Occupational Medicine Conference

Your Excellency Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner

Professor Saw Swee Hock

Professor Chia Kee Seng, Dean, NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health

Dr Eugene Shum, Chairman, Chapter of Public Health and Occupational Physicians

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

2          I am pleased to be here at this first Singapore International Public Health Conference. The theme, “Translating Public Health Research into Practice” is intriguing and ever relevant because it will focus on the role of public health researchers in translating scientific discoveries into better health for the community. I am confident that this meeting will produce a fruitful exchange of knowledge in enhancing disease control, health promotion and health policy.

Public health challenges

3          Over the past few decades, rising standards of living and urbanisation have brought about a demographic transition in Singapore. We have seen lower birth rates; longer life spans; and a shift from infectious to lifestyle-related diseases. Singapore is faced with the twin challenges of an ageing population and low birth rates. By 2030, at least one in five Singaporeans will be aged above 65 years. The burden of illness too has shifted to chronic medical conditions. One good example is diabetes and its associated complications.

4          At the same time, we have not forgotten our experience with SARS and the H1N1 influenza pandemic. The present era is one of global trade and travel. New and existing diseases can cross national borders and threaten our collective health security. Threats such as avian influenza, extensively-drug resistant tuberculosis, antibiotic-resistant nosocomial infections continue to pose major concerns to public health planners.

5          Just last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported two confirmed cases of a new coronavirus infection that is associated with severe respiratory illness. MOH had to quickly gather the available information from news reports as well as contacts with WHO and other Health authorities, and make an assessment of the public health risk posed to Singapore. Although our current assessment is that the risk is low, we continue to track further developments on this new disease closely.

Facing up to these challenges

6          Our public healthcare system is growing increasingly more complex. The changing environment, increasing barriers to healthcare access, medications, socio-economic as well as other cultural and behavioural factors all add to the increased complexity. There is a need for a more comprehensive and well-adapted systems-wide approach to developing feasible solutions to these complex public health problems. Hence, there is a crucial need for academic research to translate into evidence-based policy and programmes to improve our overall health outcomes and reduce the disease burden on our healthcare system. I am pleased to note two new research initiatives.

Collaborative research with the School of Public Health

7          Firstly, my Ministry is pleased that the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health has embarked on a new journey of translational public health research in collaboration with well-renowned international and local medical professionals, clinicians and academic researchers since the school was launched in Oct 2011. MOH will work collaboratively with the school to build and develop research capability to support Singapore’s public health policy-making; strengthen our infectious diseases capability for outbreak prevention and management; mitigate the impact of chronic non-communicable diseases on our society and economy; and develop the school as a key hub for training public health leaders in Asia.

8          We hope to see patients’ and populations’ needs better identified. Hence, the research agenda will need to address contextual and implementation issues. This includes the development of better healthcare delivery and accountability systems. The Singapore Population Health Studies under the population health metrics & analytics project (PHMA) is one example of a population/cohort study initiative that seeks to understand the health risks and health seeking behaviour in Singapore’s population. The PHMA platform exemplifies the kind of approach we need – an academic endeavour that explicitly envisions and works towards real-world application of their research work.

Communicable Diseases Public Health Research Grant

9          Secondly, to further encourage researchers to work on strategic research topics on communicable diseases with major public health impact for Singapore, my Ministry is setting up a new research grant, the Communicable Diseases-Public Health Research Grant (CD-PHRG).  We are committing a total of $15 million to the grant for the next five years. This new grant will support evidence-based public health risk assessment, intervention and policy formulation for communicable diseases control and build strong national research capability across a range of disciplines, to support public health preparedness and response to major disease outbreaks or crises. Publicity information has been sent out to all relevant research institutions and there will be three roadshows held in early October to provide further details on the grant.

Strengthening partnerships

10        The road to translating public health research into practice is strewn with daunting complexity and challenges. It will not be smooth sailing. The two research initiatives I mentioned are making good progress. I would like to commend the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health for its continuous efforts in building public health capability in Singapore.  I also commend the dedication and commitment of all academics, researchers and public health practitioners. My Ministry will continue to work in partnership with the School to help them achieve their mission, “Turning Discovery into Healthy Communities”. I look forward to more such partnerships with our healthcare research institutions.

11        In this first Singapore International Public Health Conference, the organising committee has planned a comprehensive and exciting programme. Local and international speakers have been invited to share their latest research and perspectives on important public health issues. This conference is a very good opportunity for us to exchange ideas and foster international collaboration.

Conclusion

 12       Let me end by quoting Louis Pasteur, “To him who devotes his life to science, nothing can give more happiness than increasing the number of discoveries, but his cup of joy is full when the results of his studies immediately find practical applications.”

13        I wish you all an enriching and fruitful time at this conference. Thank you.