12. Virology
The Virology laboratory provides the most comprehensive range of virological tests, many of which (e.g. virus culture and haemagglutination inhibition test), are complex and not offered by other laboratories in Singapore. The section has gained recognition, both nationally and internationally, for its high standard of work. It is the World Health Organisation (WHO) National Influenza Centre, which belongs to the Global Influenza Surveillance Network. It maintains surveillance of influenza viruses circulating in Singapore, characterising them and sharing variant strains with WHO for use in the influenza vaccine. Two influenza strains from Singapore were included for use in influenza vaccines.
As the WHO National Poliomyelitis Laboratory, the section tests samples from children with acute flaccid paralysis for poliovirus, and further determines if the virus is of vaccine or wild type. The section contributed to Singapore being certified polio-free by the WHO since October 2000. The section is also the WHO National Measles Laboratory, working with the WHO and MOH to achieve the objective of eliminating measles globally through surveillance of cases for implementation of containment measures if necessary.
During the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic in 2003, the Virology Section was a WHO SARS Laboratory, cooperating with international and local colleagues to help bring the outbreak under control through timely laboratory diagnosis of a new viral infection. The section further assumes the role of the MOH-appointed National HIV Reference Laboratory. It also undertakes many investigations of public health importance for the MOH during outbreaks such as SARS, hand-foot-mouth disease, Nipah, dengue, and viral conjunctivitis, and maintains surveillance of hand-foot-mouth disease, polio and influenza.
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Annexe B
Research – Bringing Hope to Singaporeans
SingHealth’s Research exists to create and apply knowledge to advance human health. It aims to be a globally acclaimed academic research centre at the cutting edge of the medical sciences, integrated in a comprehensive health services organisation offering the highest quality of advanced care to all Singaporeans.
The new multi-purpose research facilities will consolidate our existing and future activities solely for pursuing innovative translational and clinical (bench-to-bedside) research. Currently, our most comprehensive and well-integrated programmes – oncology, ophthalmology, neurosciences and cardiology – are disease-centric.
The intent is to organise our research initiatives in the new facilities to cut across these signature programmes in the form of five ‘virtual’, group-wide focus groups in the areas of:
– Experimental medicine and molecular therapeutics
– Regenerative and advanced cell therapy
– Advanced bio-imaging
– Clinical trials
– Personalised medicine
SingHealth is committed to forging strong, mutually beneficial linkages with our national counterparts, especially Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School. Co-location of teams of like-minded researchers and clinicians from SingHealth, along with those of our collaborators, in the new facilities will enable us to achieve critical mass, synergies and complementarities in order to help transform the Outram Campus into a vibrant and holistic medical hub.
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Annexe C
Education – Where New Technology and Methodology Prevail
SingHealth institutions have been training generations of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, and therefore education is a natural extension of their professionalism.
Being the largest healthcare group, education will lead the way in empowering healthcare leaders, professionals and managers, ensuring their relevance so that Singapore maintains its competitive advantage as the region’s medical hub.
New technological platforms and educational methodologies will be introduced to deliver our academic programmes. This will also serve as an exchange for scientists, clinicians, academics and other healthcare professionals to connect and interact.
Our Education Research, Resource and Technology laboratories will be test beds for development of new curriculum, teaching methodology and education delivery techniques. Video-conferencing capabilities will catalysed networked communities.
The educational facility will include SingHealth’s member educational institutions:
– Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) – a regional postgraduate medical training centre for clinicians which has offered fellowship training and attachment programme to more than 600 overseas fellows since its inception in 1994
– Alice-Lee Institute of Advanced Nursing (IAN) – offers a comprehensive range of courses for nurses including nursing specialisation programme and advanced practice-based training courses developed and conducted by experienced nursing specialists
– Postgraduate Allied Health Institute (PGAHI) – provides more than 500 training places yearly in 50 different professional skills developmental courses and clinical attachment programmes for allied health professionals
– Skills and Simulation Teaching Laboratories
i) Clinical Skills Lab – where doctors can hone surgical and clinical skills
ii) Nursing Skills Lab – where nurses can hone patient care skills
iii) Life Support Training Lab – where healthcare professionals can be trained in basic and advanced life support skills
– Centre for Health Services Research
– Centre for Leadership and Health Management Studies
– Office of Student Affairs and Business Centre – to serve the needs of our local and international fellows and trainees