Singapore's SAFMC allies NUHS & SSHSPH to bolster healthcare capabilities of SAF servicemen

The Singapore Armed Forces Medical Corps (SAFMC) signed dual Memorandums of Understanding(MoU) with NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) and National University Health System (NUHS) respectively on 25th July. The MOUs were signed as part of SAFMC's efforts to improve healthcare quality and accessibility for SAF servicemen, deepen clinical expertise of SAF healthcare professionals, and enhance resilience and preparedness for healthcare crises.

The MoU was signed by Brigadier-General (BG)(DR) Lee Wei Ting, Chief of the Medical Corps, with Professor Aymeric Lim, CEO of National University Hospital (NUH), and with Professor Teo Yik Ying, Dean of NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH). 

SAFMC alliance with NUHS will build on existing initiatives and enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services to SAF servicemen; foster stronger professional exchanges and training of healthcare staff and strengthen Singapore and the SAF’s resilience and preparedness during healthcare crises. 

SAFMC alliance with SSHSPH demonstrates SAF's commitment to safeguarding its servicemen's wellbeing and ensuring SAF's operational readiness through evidence-based and data-driven health policies and preventive programmes.

Highlighting the strategic value of the partnership to the SAF, BG(DR) Lee Wei Ting, said, “This partnership with the National University Health System signifies SAF’s commitment to the health of our people. We hope to integrate cutting-edge research, educational excellence, and advanced medical practices into the care of our soldiers. This will strengthen the SAF’s capability to safeguard their health and support their operational effectiveness.” 

Synergistic Partnership to Re-enforce Integrated care, Policy, Resources to Revitalize Singapore's Healthcare Resilience and Enable SAF Capabilities in Medical Care

Strategic Partnership between SAFMC and NUHS has been a long-standing partner to the SAFMC in the areas of training and patient care. Since 2019, SAF’s combat medics and paramedics have been undergoing clinical attachments at NUH and Ng Teng Fong Hospital to enhance their skills and experience in emergency care. In a more recent collaboration, about 1,000 pre-enlistees were seen by NUHS physicians across various medical and surgical disciplines. Pre-enlistees can be screened early for medical issues and properly evaluated before enlistment, enhancing their overall well-being and readiness. 

Professor Aymeric Lim of NUH said, “This MOU builds on years of collaborative efforts between NUHS and SAFMC, and will enable SAF servicemen to benefit from more specialised and integrated care. We also want to enhance the training opportunities and professional exchanges. Together we will have a large pool of resources to tap on synergistically.” 

Professor Teo Yik Ying of SSHSPH said, “By supporting the SAFMC in areas such as population health research, health services research, and policy and programme evaluation, we not only help the SAF provide higher quality care to all servicemen, but also have the opportunity to gain insights into population health trends that would be valuable at the national level”.