your guide to quality medical care in singapore Photo credits: Raffles Medical Group contents 01. AsiA’s leAdinG MedicAl hub 2 02. singapoRe’s heAlthcARe 3 systeM 03. ACCREDITATIONS And 5 ACCOLADES 04. medicAl fiRsts 6 05. ouR heAlthcARe 8 professionAls sPeAk 06. HeAR fRoM ouR patients 10 07. SingapoRe: MoRe thAn just 12 a heAlthcARe destinAtion 08. heAlthcARe provideRs 13 1 01 AsiA’s leAdinG MedicAl hub behind its dynamic and multi-cultural professionals and multi-national healthcare- landscape, singapore is often associated related companies from various parts of the with excellence, efficiency and effectiveness, world to share and exchange their expertise, from its airport, airline and port to its conduct healthcare-related research and infrastructure, education and healthcare training, as well as to host international systems. singapore has become a trusted conferences and events. healthcare name among international patients. it is providers in singapore are constantly also recognised as Asia’s leading medical strengthening their medical capabilities hub providing internationally accredited through professional exchanges and access and patient-centric care. to innovation in medical technology through our robust healthcare eco-system. international patients come to singapore for a wide range of medical care, ranging in singapore, medical travellers can from basic health screenings to advanced receive quality medical care in an procedures in fields such as cardiology, environment that is safe and welcoming, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, organ with no uncertainties of wars, political transplants, orthopaedics and paediatrics. instability, social unrest, natural disasters or worries about blood safety. here, medical As a multi-faceted medical hub, singapore travellers can enjoy a peace of mind when attracts a growing number of medical health really matters. 2 singapoRe’s heAlthcARe systeM 02 Photo credits: Raffles Medical Group Renowned Medical Expertise beyond international certifications, many healthcare institutions ins ingapore also publish their clinical outcomes on their corporate websites. Medical travellers to singapore can thus be assured that the treatments received are on par with that of the world’s leading medical centres. As the table below illustrates, some of our clinical outcomes achieved by singapore’s medical centres can sometimes be higher than that of other established medical centres of excellence. liver transplant national university hospital, singapore US oPtn* 5-year survival rate 78% 68 - 86% high-risk stomach cancer US intergroup 0116 national university hospital, singapore (stage II to IV) treatment study 2-year survival rate 60% 40.5% * US oPtn: organ Procurement and transplantation network based on published statistics from 2010 hence, patients in singapore are assured of quality treatment and high clinical outcomes similar to those in the united states and europe. 3 Regional Medical Hub singapore is a true multi-faceted regional medical hub, not only for medical services for patients, but also as a meeting place for medical professionals for healthcare conferences and training. singapore is also a base for healthcare consultancy and operations management. trusted for its stability and world renowned name, a growing number of leading biomedical companies such as Merck, sharp and dohme (MSD, known as Merck in the united states and canada), Glaxosmithkline (GSK), bayer healthcare and Roche are expanding its presence in singapore.* Transparency in pricing cost is an important consideration for many international patients. healthcare providers in singapore make estimated costs as transparent as possible, listing prices according to useful categories such as medical conditions, procedures involved and ward class. this information is published on Ministry of health singapore’s website. singapore’s transparent healthcare system enables medical travellers to make informed decisions regarding their treatments and institution of choice. *source: singapore economic development board 4 ACCREDITATIONS And ACCOLADES 03 Accreditations • Eighteen hospitals and medical centres in singapore have obtained joint commission international (JCI) accreditation, assuring patients from singapore and overseas of the standard of healthcare services available here. the JCI is the united states’ main hospital accreditation agency. • Eleven hospitals are certified by thei nternational organization for standardization (ISO). Accolades • Singapore’s blood supply ranks • In 2010, among the safest in the world. » best place to live, work and play in singapore’s centre for transfusion Asia Medicine is internationally reputed Quality of living index 2010, Mercer human for its high standards of blood Resource consulting safety practices and recognised as a World health organization (WHO) • In 2011, collaborating centre. » World’s easiest place to do business doing business 2011 report, World bank • In 2000, » healthcare system – best in Asia » World’s most transparent country and sixth best in the world doing business 2011 report, World bank World health Report 2000 – health systems. Who » World’s most efficient legal framework for settling disputes • In 2003, Global competitiveness Report 2011-2012, World economic forum » third best healthcare system in the world » World’s most competitive economy » the country best prepared to deal Global competitive Report 2011-2012, World with a major medical crisis in Asia economic forum Political and economic Risk consultancy (PeRc) report » Ranked 4th for infant mortality rate and 10th for life expectancy • In 2009, at birth » 4th best health infrastructure Global competitiveness Report 2011-2012, World competitiveness yearbook 2009, iMd World economic forum 5 04 MedicAl fiRsts Photo credits: Raffles Medical Group As a leading medical hub, the doctors in singapore have been behind many medical breakthroughs, cutting across various specialties, that put singapore ahead in the medical world. 6 Cardiology a new technique to correct degenerative flatfeet in adults • In 2012, Asia’s first percutaneous using minimally invasive surgery aortic valve replacement (an to release the tendon of the calf alternative for patients unable and implant a specially designed to undergo traditional surgery arthroereisis screw that would techniques) was performed in prevent further collapsing of the Singapore. foot arch. Gynaecology Paediatrics • In 2009, Singapore performed the • In 2011, a multi-disciplinary team world’s first operation for a rare of doctors successfully delivered ectopic pregnancy with a single and separated Asia’s first pair incision exclusively through the of monochorionic and diamniotic belly button. conjoined twins. Oncology Transplants • In 2008, Singapore introduced total peritonectomy, a radical multi- • In 2009, singapore successfully disciplinary surgical procedure to performed Asia’s first combined treat advanced cancers. heart and liver transplant surgery. • In 2012, Singapore doctors led • In 2012, singapore successfully in the multi-centre study that performed its first simultaneous developed a new approach to treat pancreas and kidney transplant childhood leukaemia. surgery. Ophthalmology Minimally Invasive Surgery • Singapore performed more DSAEK • In 2010, singapore was the first in (transplant of the inner endothelial southeast Asia to perform a new layer of the cornea) surgeries than minimally invasive Robotic-assisted any single institution in Europe or procedure for lung cancer surgery. Asia in 2009. two cases have been completed successfully and both patients Orthopaedics recovered without complications. • In 2011, singapore pioneered • In 2009, Singapore pioneered the scar-less surgery through the Triple Endobutton technique, a new mouth using a hospital developed technique to treat shoulder injuries. Master and slave transluminal • In 2012, Singapore developed endoscopic Robot (MASTER). 7 ouR heAlthcARe 05 professionAls sPeAk Ms nurul Atiqah bte Ahmad said dr William chong Photo credits: Pacific healthcare holdings Ms vicky teo Photo credits: fortis colorectal hospital chef ho ling neng Photo credits: Raffles Medical Group Ms linda Guan Photo credits: Mount Alvernia hospital Photo credits: sincere healthcare Group 8 “seeing the joy on my patients’ faces and hearing how their quality of life has improved is truly satisfying to me.” Dr William Chong Dental Surgeon, Pacific Healthcare Specialist Centre (Dentistry) CEO, Pacific Healthcare Holdings Ltd “i’m inspired by what people like to eat at home and incorporate dishes that remind them of home, into the hospital menu. We strive to provide home- cooked dishes, similar to what your mum might prepare for you if you fall sick.” Chef Ho Ling Neng Head of F&B, Mount Alvernia Hospital “i enjoy working in my profession as i get to be a friend to our patients and assist them in their non-medical needs so that they can focus on their recovery. besides arranging accommodation for their companion and flight arrangement, i also visit them when they are in the hospital. this helps to establish a strong bond between us so that they are comfortable in sharing with us their needs. this is a job that is different from others as i can make a difference in the lives of the patients that come to singapore to seek medical care. the most rewarding part of my job is seeing our patients fully recovered and returning home happily.” Ms Vicky Teo Senior Executive, International Patient Centre, Raffles Hospital “i find nursing to be the most