Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong attended the National University Health System (NUHS) Tribute Awards Ceremony on 28 February 2025, where he honoured healthcare professionals and teams for their contributions to patient care, research, and medical innovation.
Addressing the gathering, DPM Gan acknowledged the dedication of NUHS healthcare workers, particularly their resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled the immense challenges they faced and praised their professionalism in keeping Singapore’s healthcare system strong. He emphasized that the same dedication must now drive the next phase of healthcare transformation, focusing on ageing population needs and preventive care through initiatives like HealthierSG and Age Well SG.
DPM Gan highlighted key NUHS initiatives that are reshaping healthcare delivery. The NUHS@Home programme, launched in 2020, allows eligible patients to receive hospital-level care at home, improving comfort while optimizing hospital resources. Another initiative, NCIS On-The-Go, enables cancer patients to access certain treatments in community clinics rather than at hospitals, increasing convenience and efficiency. He also commended NUHS for leveraging technology, such as the NUHS App for patient self-management and artificial intelligence (AI) tools like RUSSELL-GPT to enhance healthcare efficiency.
Several teams behind these transformative projects received the NUHS Pinnacle Team Awards, recognizing their role in advancing healthcare accessibility and innovation. In addition, 16 senior healthcare professionals were conferred Emeritus Consultant and Emeritus Fellow titles, celebrating their lifelong contributions to the sector. Among them was Professor Arijit Biswas, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies who has delivered 14,000 babies, including Karuna, now a dedicated nurse. Another honoree, Dr Emily Ang, was awarded the inaugural Emeritus Fellow title for her leadership in nursing education and mentorship.
DPM Gan also paid tribute to Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, who recently stepped down as NUHS Board Chairman, praising his leadership in guiding NUHS through the pandemic and overseeing major projects, including the redevelopment of Alexandra Hospital and plans for Tengah General and Community Hospital.
In his closing remarks, DPM Gan reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening Singapore’s healthcare system, emphasizing the collective effort required to ensure not just longer but healthier lives for Singaporeans. He thanked all NUHS staff for their dedication and service, encouraging them to continue delivering excellence in healthcare.
Source – PMO
