Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the Thong Chai 150th Anniversary Celebrations - TCM Forum by Overseas Experts, 23 September 2017

同济医院林源利主席

Mr Lim Guan Lee, Chairman of Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution

辽宁中医药大学杨关林校长及各位教授

Mr Yang Guanlin, Principal of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Professors

各位嘉宾、医师们

Distinguished guests and practitioners

            大家上午好！我非常高兴，今天能与新加坡各位医师以及中国知名学府的中医专家教授在这里欢聚，共同参与《海外专家中医药论坛》的开幕式。中医药自新加坡的建国时期开始，对国人的健康以及预防疾病方面做出了很大的贡献。 

Good afternoon. I am happy to join Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners from Singapore and China here today at the opening ceremony of the Thong Chai TCM forum by overseas experts. Since the days of nation building, TCM has contributed greatly to our population’s health and in disease prevention.

2          国人越来越长寿，预计到了2030年，我们将有一百二十万名年龄超过六十岁以上的年长国人。但是每四人，就有一人将患有慢性疾病。这将加剧我们的医疗资源的需求。因此卫生部正积极完善我们的医疗保健系统，不单提供更好的医疗服务，更加强倡导人人过健康活跃的生活。我相信中医药继将续在新加坡的医疗体系中扮演重要的辅助医疗作用，特别是养生，预防和调理方面，以应对我国人口老龄化所带来的挑战。

          Singaporeans are living longer; it is projected that in 2030, there will be 1.2 million Singaporeans aged 60 and above, with one in four likely to develop a chronic condition. This would bring about a corresponding increase in demand for healthcare services. In view of this, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is actively transforming our healthcare system to focus beyond healthcare to health, to enable Singaporeans to lead active and healthy lives. I believe that TCM’s principles and approaches in disease prevention and management will continue to play an important complementary role in meeting the healthcare challenges of our ageing population.

3          因此卫生部推出许多措施提高中医药专业水平，并提升中医药的安全性和有效性。卫生部2014年设立中医药研究补助基金鼓励公立医疗机构，中医药行业和高等院校研究人员之间的合作研究。第一次招标，收到补助金的五项研究提案正在进行中，研究结果相信在不久的将来就会公布。中医研究咨询委员会正在评估第二次研究招标所收到的提案。我很高兴获知同济医院积极的参与。卫生部最近宣布将再拨款500万元推动针对中医药疗法的研究。我想借此机会鼓励更多中医师和中医机构利用这机会，竭力推动中医药的科研，以进一步提高专业水平。

           MOH has put in place measures to raise the professionalism of TCM and enhance its safety and efficacy. In 2014, MOH established the TCM Research Grant to encourage collaborative research on TCM treatments between public healthcare institutions, TCM institutions and institutes of higher learning (IHLs). Research is underway for the five awarded proposals from the first grant call, and the research findings of these proposals will be ready in due time. The TCM Research Advisory Committee is also in the process of evaluating suitable proposals received during the second grant call made this year. I am heartened to note that Thong Chai has participated in the grant calls. MOH recently announced that we will provide further funding of $5 million for the TCM Research Grant and I would like to take this opportunity to encourage more TCM practitioners and organisations to participate, to bring TCM research in Singapore to greater heights and raise professional standards.

4         与此同时，新加坡中医师必须不断学习，以便掌握有关疾病管理的最新知识，提高专业水平。新加坡中医管理委员会领导下的中医延续教育工作，也如火如荼的展开。同时，我了解同济医药研究院与辽宁中医药大学合作，从2013年开始的远程视频中医硕士课程，现已共有27位医师参与，11位医师学业有成，获得中医硕士学位；今年，还将有10位在读中医硕士生即将毕业，你们的努力的确值得表扬。  

           It is also important that our local practitioners continue learning to stay up to date with the latest knowledge on disease management so as to raise professional standards. The TCM Practitioners Board has started the Continuing TCM Education (CTE) programme. At the same time, I understand that, since 2013, Thong Chai Medical Institution has collaborated with the Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to offer online learning TCM Masters courses. To date, of the 27 practitioners who have participated in the course, 11 have graduated with a Masters in TCM, and another 10 will be graduating this year. I applaud your hard work and perseverance.

5        上个月，卫生部也宣布将拨款500万元建立中医药发展资助金，支持中医从业员开发相关技术和能力。资助金将共同资助所有管委会注册的中医师，及中医药从业员联合医务人员如配药员和诊所助理，提供培训和专业发展。

          Last month, MOH announced that it will set up a $5 million TCM Development Grant (TCMDG) to support skills development and capability building for TCM professionals. The grant will provide co-funding for training and professional development of all registered TCM practitioners, including TCM allied healthcare workers, such as clinic assistants and herbal dispensers listed with the TCM Practitioners’ Board.

6        150 年来，同济医院秉持宗旨，在为国人的医疗、保健和健康方面，做出了一定的努力和奉献。中医，要在先辈建立的基础上，和社会与时并进，使中医科学化、现代化，需要厉代不断地付诸努力。今天，同济医药研究院邀请辽宁中医药大学的专家学者亲临新加坡，为各位医师带来精彩的演讲，希望各位医师都能有所收获,并且同时交换意见，广交朋友。

          Over the last 150 years, Thong Chai has stayed true to its mission to provide healthcare services in the form of TCM to Singaporeans and contributed to the health of our population. TCM needs to build on the foundation laid by its predecessors and modernise with time. The modernisation of TCM using scientific methods and evidence-based research requires the effort and hard work of many generations. Today, Thong Chai has invited experts from the Liaoning University of TCM to speak at the forum. I hope that all participants will benefit from the academic exchanges and establish networks.

7        最后，祝《海外专家中医药论坛》圆满、成功！在座各位身体健康！

          In closing, I wish you a successful forum, and good health for all participants.