KWSH and NTU pen MOU to Drive TCM Collaboration

As KWSH continuously seeks to contribute to the development of Chinese medicine in Singapore through training, research and collaborations with other institutions, we have entered into a partnership with Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) School of Biological Sciences, an institution that shares our scientific and research interests in TCM. A Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was inked on 30 July at a graduation session held for graduands from the NTU biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine double degree programme.

With eldercare being the core of our operations and us being the first healthcare institution in Singapore’s history to offer both TCM and western medicine treatments, KWSH has always been committed to combine the best of Western and Chinese medicine in our delivery of care for the elderly. Potential research areas under the MOU could therefore include a look into an “east-west integrative approach” for geriatric healthcare as well as studies on the role of TCM in common ailments such as stroke and dementia. Beyond research, there will also be collaborative case management with western medicine doctors for our nursing home residents.

To facilitate wider exposure and encourage learning for TCM physicians, the collaboration will also see physicians from KWSH and the NTU Chinese Medicine Clinic undergo exchange programmes where physicians are rotated between the two organisations on a regular basis. In addition, with NTU’s School of Biological Sciences offering a double degree programme which grooms TCM physicians-to-be with an edge in the knowledge of human biology’s physiology and anatomy, KWSH’s like-mindedness in the school’s “east meets west” approach will provide a favorable platform for student internships and staff attachments for the school’s faculty and physicians.

For the undergraduates, a holistic three-week attachment has been planned for them. The students will observe the work of KWSH’s senior physicians and learn from the cases under supervision from their NTU lecturers. Comprising two weeks of outpatient service that includes day care and community services, and a week of inpatient care, the attachment will allow students to apply their knowledge in a range of TCM services.

Beyond the scope of the MOU, KWSH will be introducing a programme for new TCM physicians who graduate from NTU. This initiative will involve employment for successful applicants under a residency programme who will be guided by KWSH’s senior physicians as well as visiting lecturers from NTU. This residency programme is expected to be officially launched at the end of the year.