Singapore, 20 November 2007 - Singaporeans can now benefit from quality Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services offered by top practitioners from Shanghai.
Bao Zhong Tang TCM Centre opens at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) today, in a ceremony officiated by the Minister for Health of Singapore, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, as the Guest-of-Honour. The centre enables patients to consult with a team of renowned senior TCM physicians from Shanghai, including current and former Presidents, Directors and Heads of Department of four top TCM hospitals, namely Shu Guang Hospital, Long Hua Hospital, Yue Yang Hospital, and Shanghai TCM Hospital. Starting a practice in Singapore for the first time, these physicians each have more than 40 years of experience practising TCM and are widely regarded as “national treasures” in China. They are known to have an established track record in TCM treatment modalities for complex diseases affecting the heart, stomach, bones and joints, and other conditions like cancer and diabetes.
The centre offers walk-in patients an array of premium TCM services that include consultation with the senior TCM physicians, treatment like acupuncture and tui-na, as well as customised preparation and brewing of herbal medicine, imported directly from Shanghai, coupled with home delivery to patients.
Collaboration between SingHealth and Shanghai Hospital Development Center
Bao Zhong Tang is a partnership between SingHealth, of which SGH is the largest of its 9 institutions, and the Shanghai Hospital Development Center (SHDC), which manages and operates 23 public hospitals in Shanghai. In addition to the four TCM hospitals, these include Shanghai’s largest hospitals with Western medicine practice such as the 1,800-bed Rui Jin General Hospital and the 1,500-bed Ren Ji Hospital.
Mrs Karen Koh, Co-Chairman of Bao Zhong Tang, said: “There is now rapid growth in the healthcare sector. New entrants like Bao Zhong Tang that offer quality TCM services will add to the diversity and vibrancy of Singapore as a medical hub. Bao Zhong Tang will not only offer more choices for Singaporeans, it will also be appealing to regional patients who come here to seek treatment in TCM and Western medicine. Over time, this can only enhance the attractiveness of Singapore as a medical travel destination.”
Mr Chen Jian Ping, Director-General of SHDC, said: “We chose to partner SingHealth because of its large concentration of clinical disciplines, rich heritage in patient care, and proven research capabilities. Through this venture in Singapore, SHDC has the opportunity to export the rich knowledge and capabilities of TCM available in China, raising the awareness of TCM in the region. Locating Bao Zhong Tang at SGH also creates greater room for our TCM physicians and SGH doctors to undertake collaborative research.”
Drawing the best of Eastern and Western medicine through research
With the centre located at SGH, it indeed opens a window of opportunity for greater interaction between the TCM physicians and Western medicine-trained doctors at SingHealth institutions – through education and clinical research. “Such exchanges will deepen familiarity with Eastern medicine and widen knowledge base. We can then draw the best of Eastern and Western medicine to achieve synergy, through an amalgamation of Eastern philosophy of harmony and a holistic approach, with Western science and diagnostics. This bodes well for the treatment of chronic and other diseases,” said Professor Ng Han Seong, one of the five Directors of Bao Zhong Tang’s Board.
He added: “TCM is a body of knowledge that has thrived for five thousand years. This speaks well of its efficacy. Our motivation lies in the clinical research potential to explore the best of TCM and Western medicine, which provides yet another platform to fire the spirit of inquiry amongst our clinicians.”
The partnership between SHDC and SingHealth will also bring about cooperation on several other fronts including medical training, academic exchanges, and sharing information on hospital management.
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Annex
Useful information on Bao Zhong Tang TCM Centre
Location
· Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road (Block 5, Level 1)
· The centre’s entrance is adjacent to the Urology Centre at Block 4
Physical Capacity
· The centre (with a site area of 284 sq metres) houses 4 consultation rooms, 5 treatment rooms for acupuncture and tui-na, and 1 herbal pharmacy
· A separate off-site facility (with a site area of 150 sq metres) is set up for the storage, brewing, and packing of customised herbal medicine prescriptions, which also offers home delivery service to patients
Services
· The focus is on providing holistic care for patients seeking treatment in TCM, of which the treatment modalities include consultation with the physicians, acupuncture, tui-na, and customised herbal medication
Fees and Charges
· The services offered will not attract government subsidies
· Consultations and treatment cost between S$60 and S$100
Opening Hours
· Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 6.00pm
· Saturday: 9.00am to 1.00pm
· Closed on Sunday and Public Holiday
Contact Number
· Members of the public can contact the centre at Tel: 6327 7866 or Fax: 6223 5289
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Chinese translation for key terms
Bao Zhong Tang TCM Centre -- 寶中堂中医药中心
Renowned senior TCM physicians -- 名老中医
“National Treasures” -- 国宝
Shanghai Hospital Development Center -- 上海申康医院发展中心
Singapore Health Services / SingHealth -- 新加坡保健服务集团 / 新保集团
Shu Guang Hospital -- 曙光医院
Long Hua Hospital -- 龙华医院
Yue Yang Hospital -- 岳阳医院
Shanghai TCM Hospital -- 上海市中医医院
Rui Jin General Hospital -- 瑞金医院
Ren Ji Hospital -- 仁济医院
Acupuncture -- 针灸
Tui-na -- 推拿
For media enquiries and interviews, please contact:
Ms Ong Shao Ying
Corporate Communications
Singapore Health Services
DID: +65-6557 4913
Email: ong.shao.ying@singhealth.com.sg
About Singapore Health Services (SingHealth)
SingHealth is the largest healthcare group in Singapore, offering a complete range of multi-disciplinary and integrated medical care. The group consists of three Hospitals, five National Specialty Centres, and a network of nine Polyclinics. We have a faculty of internationally qualified medical specialists and are also well equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology. We are dedicated to providing quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our patients. Through clinical excellence, commitment, and collaboration, we aim to be the trusted leader in healthcare for our patients, partners, staff and the community.
About Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
SGH is the largest acute tertiary hospital and national referral centre in Singapore. With 1,500 acute beds and a pool of 550 specialists, the hospital treats about 70,000 inpatients and 600,000 outpatients yearly. Together with five national specialty centres located within the SGH campus, patients have ready access to 35 specialty services. SGH is also a centre of medical education and research for innovative treatments, capitalising on its multi-disciplinary capabilities and research affiliations to augment care delivery to patients.
About Shanghai Hospital Development Center (SHDC)
SHDC is a state-run non-profit healthcare group, established in September 2005 by the Shanghai Municipal Government as part of the ongoing reforms in Shanghai’s healthcare sector. It is responsible for the development, management and operation of 23 municipal healthcare institutions, which comprise general hospitals, specialty centres, and TCM hospitals. Some of these institutions include major TCM hospitals like Shu Guang Hospital, Long Hua Hospital, Yue Yang Hospital, and Shanghai TCM Hospital, as well as Shanghai’s largest hospitals with Western medicine practice such as the 1,800-bed Rui Jin General Hospital and the 1,500-bed Ren Ji Hospital.