LEADERSIP IN O & G
World-class fertility-management and laparoscopic-gynecology services are among Singapore's offerings to international patients
SINGAPORE
Positioning itself as "Asia's health-care hub," Singapore is aggressively promoting its health-care services to the region, particularly in the area of obstetrics and gynecology. Its goal is to increase the number of foreign patients coming in for health care, reported to average at 200,000 every year.
The city-state is only proud to give proof to its being a "world-class health-care destination." In an analysis of health-care systems conducted by the World Health Organization in 2000, Singapore's emerged as the leader in Asia, and was ranked sixth globally. Coming in second was Japan's health-care system, which was ranked 10th overall.
In addition, a 2003 survey of expatriates living in Asia conducted by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy showed that Singapore's health-care system is perceived as the healthiest in Asia. Whether in such areas as the quality of doctors, the quality of hospitals and clinics, or the level of confidence regarding surgical standards, the image of the Singaporean health-care system is very strong.
And it is an image that the city-state is prepared to prove anytime. Singapore Medicine, an initiative of the Economic Development Group, the Singapore Tourism Board, and International Enterprise Singapore, invited journalists from all over Asia to witness firsthand the quality of the city-state's health-care services. But to coincide with the fifth congress of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Singapore on September 7 to 11, Singapore Medicine highlighted the country's ob-gyn services, particularly in reproductive endocrinology and laparoscopic gynecology.
Truth behind the hype
Ms. Lilian Kuan, acting assistant director of Singapore Medicine, said that there are a number of reasons international patients visit the country for their health-care needs. Aside from offering specialized treatment for various diseases in its "centers for excellence," Singapore also prides itself on employing only the highest standards of care and safety. Although national regulatory bodies are in place to monitor the profession, a number of Singaporean health-care institutions have also received the approval of various international agencies. Aside from ISO certifications, Singaporean institutions have either achieved Joint Commission International Accreditation (as in the National University Hospital) are preparing their application.
The much-hyped opening of Biopolis promises to make the city-state a bioscience-research center. An environment that promotes scientific research, particularly in such areas as genomics, molecular biology, and bioengineering, has been attracting local and foreign researchers to undertake studies that will "translate research into treatments." In addition, many major multinational pharmaceutical companies are putting up their regional offices in the city-state.
Also, both public and private hospitals have international patients' desks to make seeking health-care services in Singapore more convenient. These help desks assist in scheduling appointments, airport pickup and drop-off, and even accommodations for patients' relatives.
While Singapore sees itself as among the best in the world in terms of cancer treatment, laparoscopic surgery, intervention cardiology and cardiac surgery, and transplantation, among others, reproductive endocrinology has been particularly strong over the past two decades, resulting in a number of "firsts" in Asia and the rest of the world.
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In 1983, Singapore successfully delivered the first IVF (in vitro fertilization) baby in Asia.
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In 1985, it successfully delivered the first GIFT (gamete intrafallopian-tube transfer) baby in Asia.
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In 1987, it successfully delivered the first frozen-embryo baby in Asia.
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In 1988, it successfully delivered the world's first micromanipulation baby, with the assistance of subzonal insemination (SUZI).
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In 1991, it successfully delivered the world's first human tubal coculture baby.
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In 1992, it successfully delivered the world's first blastocyst-transfer baby.
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In 1994, it saw the first successful isolation of human embryonic stem cells in the world.
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In 1997, it performed the world's first zona-free blastocyst transfer.
Public health care in Singapore is divided into two operative clusters--the Singapore Health Services Group (SingHealth), which is made up of three hospitals, four specialist centers, and a number of primary-care clinics; and the National Healthcare Group (NHG), which has in its wings four hospitals, one national center, three specialty institutes, nine polyclinics, and five business divisions. Private hospitals support the public health-care system.
National University Hospital
The only university hospital in the city-state, the National University Hospital (NUH) is part of the NHG. A 951-bed, acute-care, tertiary hospital founded in 1985, NUH offers a wide range of clinical services. NUH is the first Singaporean hospital to receive JCI accreditation and three ISO certifications--giving proof to the hospital's commitment to safe and high-quality care.
Always at the forefront in research and technology, the NUH is home to a highly successful IVF clinic, which has witnessed many "firsts" in reproductive endocrinology and the treatment of infertility. At present the IVF clinic makes use of extended embryo cultures, which has led to a clinical pregnancy rate of 38 percent per embryo transfer. About 400 fresh cycles of IVF are handled in the hospital every year.
The NUH is also home to a minimally invasive surgical center (MISC), which is involved in the education and training of surgeons from Singapore and other parts of Asia in laparoscopic skills. Also, NUH houses the Cancer, Eye, and Heart Institutes, which provide state-of-the-art services for cancer, eye, and cardiac care.
The NUH has an International Liaison Center that takes charge of the needs of foreign patients, such as accommodations and transport, medical referrals and appointments, and even translation. Information may be requested at iplc@nhg.com.sg.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
A part of the SingHealth group, KK Women's and Children's Hospital is the only integrated women's and children's hospital in Singapore. Founded in 1924, it has almost 900 beds, offering tertiary services in obstetrics and gynecology, neonatology, and pediatrics. For successfully ensuring the safety of women giving birth and their infants, it became the first hospital in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the Asian Hospital Management Award.
KK Hospital delivers about a third of the babies born in the city-state. There was even a time in the early 1950s when the hospital attended to over 1,000 deliveries in a month. Its IVF Center is the largest in the country, attending to about 600 cycles of assisted reproductive technique every year. It is the hospital that saw the birth of Asia's first IVF and GIFT baby.
Its Gynecological Cancer Center is a recognized training center for gynecologic oncology by the Royal Australian-New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. It is the first hospital in Asia to introduce a state-of-the-art digital colposcopy system.
Meanwhile, the KK Urogynecology Center sees itself as a one-stop shop for the diagnosis and management of urinary problems among women as well as disorders of the pelvic floor. It is the first Asian institution to use a tension-free vaginal tape-obturator system for women with stress urinary incontinence.
KK Hospital also has an international help desk. More information may be requested at international@kkh.com.sg.
Thomson Medical Center
Thomson Medical Center aims to be the leading provider for women's and children's health-care needs in the private sector. Established in 1979, this 190-bed hospital is the recipient of a number of awards. In 2004 it was given the Most Promising Brand of Singapore Award by the Association of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises. In the same year, Thomson's executive chair Dr. Cheng Wei Chen was named Top Entrepreneur of the Year by ASME and the Rotary Club of Singapore.
The Thomson Fertility Center is the private sector's leader in fertility services. Established in 1988, it also has its share of "firsts": in 1989 it successfully delivered Asia's first surviving IVF quadruplets; in 2000, it was considered the first fertility clinic in the world to produce twins from frozen egg and sperm cells.
Since its establishment it has treated more than 2,000 couples with fertility problems, and has seen the birth of more than 600 babies through assisted reproduction techniques. The success rate (30 percent and above) is comparable to international standards.
Aside from fertility management, Thomson also offers prenatal diagnostics and fetal assessment. Its services for women's health are also among the most comprehensive in the city-state. International patients may get in touch with the hospital's international patients' desk at
ipd@tmc-sin.com.sg.
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