MASTER'S MESSAGE

15 August 2019

Dear Fellow Academicians

Happy National Day. Let us reflect on a quote by our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew: “A nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people and the quality of their leaders which ensure it an honourable place in history.”

Our pioneers have honoured his legacy and brought his vision to life.  In our profession, we must embody the same values, spirit and beliefs as our pioneers and be inspired by their insatiable appetite for continuous learning, striving to be better tomorrow than we are today.

In my Master's Message end of March, I shared that several key Academy Council members met and engaged Ministry's senior management to discuss the suggestions and concerns raised by our Fellows on the fundamental issues arising from the sentencing against LLA and SSC. 

Since then, the 12-member MOH Workgroup have had numerous meetings and dicsussions to review and make appropriate recommendations to the Ministry in response to the two issues tasked to the Workgroup: (1) the taking of informed consent by doctors; and (2) the Singapore Medical Council's (SMC) disciplinary process.

As a member of the Workgroup representing the Academy and Fellow Academicians, I am pleased to update that, in the coming weeks, the Workgroup will engage the Academy Council, College Presidents and Chapter Chairs.

It is important for the views of our specialties to be heard and represented.  This is how we can contribute towards the development of a clear and balanced guidelines that will benefit both patients and doctors.  We look forward to the Workgroup's release of the guidelines after it has obtained the views of medical practitioners across diverse practices and the public.

I am also pleased to give some updates of the 41st Annual General Meeting of the Academy held on 1 June 2019.  The House passed the resolution on the formation of the Chapter of Pain Medicine Physicians under the Academy to provide advisories and opinions on the training and credentialing requirements needed for pain medicine physicians to perform competently; general pain management options; and specific interventional procedures.  The Chapter will also provide expert opinions on matters related to pain management, as and when the need arises, to the Ministry of Health and other government agencies and organisations.

The new Chapter is key in leading the Ministry's Joint Committee for Opioids Control to advise on the development of a 'National Guidelines on the Safe Prescribing of Opioids'  to guide healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing of opioids, together with the active participation of the Colleges and Chapters.

Another important announcement released on 16 July 2019, is the election of Professor Teo Eng Kiong as the Master-Elect (2019-2020) of the Academy.  He will assume the leadership as Master from June 2020 for a two-year term.  We look forward to his leadership and direction as he works together with the new Council.

Last but not least, I wish to record my sincere thanks and profound gratitude to both elected and appointed retired Council members who have served the Academy and the Colleges/Chapters, as well as the profession, with dedication and commitment.  And my deepest appreciation to all Fellows for contributing their time, effort and expertise to advance our profession and improve patient care.

Best Wishes

Dr S R E Sayampanathan
Master
Academy of Medicine, Singapore

The Academy's Office of Professional Affairs, together with Singapore Medical Association, Singapore Academy of Law and The Law Society of Singapore, had successfully conducted the 5th Annual Medical Expert Witness Training Course on 4 May, 29 June and 6 July 2019 with the common aim of training medical practitioners to be competent and skilled medical expert witnesses in Court and write effective and clear medical expert reports.

A total of 58 practitioners from 25 medical and dental specialties attended the training course this year. Graduates of the Medical Expert Witness Training Course will be invited to be part of the Faculty of Medical Experts. The aim of the Faculty is to provide continuous training opportunities for the members so as to build and maintain a pool of effective and skilled medical experts.

The Academy's Induction Comitia took place on Saturday, 6 July 2019, at the Academia@SingHealth. Mr Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary for Health, graced the event as the Guest-of-Honour.

In his address, Mr Chan highlighted the dynamic diversity as the core strength and essence of the Academy, one that is fundamental to the Academy's fulfilment of its mission. Through the regular dialogues and discussions with the Academy's Council, one aspect which he values dearly in the Academy is its 'Unity in Diversity'. He also commended the Academy for its excellent work and valuable support to the Ministry.

A total of 81 Fellows were formally admitted into the Academy that afternoon. Dr Tan Yia Swam from the College of Surgeons, Singapore, led her fellow inductees for the pledge-taking.

The Induction Comitia also witnessed the graduation of candidates from the Master of Health Professions Education - Singapore and Staff Registrar Scheme Diploma programmes.  That afternoon also saw the presentation of awards for Annals' Gold Reviewer and Best Publication Awards 2018.

The 4th AMM-AMS-HKAM Tripartite Congress cum 53rd Singapore-Malaysia Congress of Medicine and Hong Kong Primary Care Conference 2019 will be held on 6-8 December 2019 at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building.  Themed 'People-centred Care: Towards Value-Based Innovations', the Congress is organised by the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia (AMM), Academy of Medicine, Singapore (AMS), Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) and Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP).

This Congress will be an opportunity for medical practitioners to share their knowledge and experience with friends and colleagues from Asia, particularly Hong Kong and Malaysia, and a great platform for networking for future collaborations.  Please mark the dates in your calendar and we look forward to your participation at the Congress.

We are pleased to announce that the 24th Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration will be delivered by Mr George Yeo, Singapore's former Foreign Minister, on 7 August at the 4th AMM-AMS-HKAM Tripartite Congress cum 53rd Singapore-Malaysia Congress of Medicine.  The Oration was established in 1970 to perpetuate the ideals, teachings and legacy of Sir Professor Gordon Arthur Ransome, who is the legendary pioneer in medicine in Singapore and also the Academy's founding and first Master.  Luminary person invited to the Gordon Arthur Ransome Orator may espouse on topics relating to medicine, education, research, philosophy, politics or ethics.

- End of Report -