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SINGAPORE : Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said healthcare institutions and professionals need to continually innovate and enhance their delivery of services.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Mr Lee said such efforts are needed to push healthcare forward in Singapore.
It is all systems go for Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Yishun as it officially opens its doors to the public.
The hospital, which started operations in March this year, offers a comprehensive range of medical and health services.
It is the first public hospital to open in Singapore in the last 10 years.
Built to serve more than 700,000 residents living in the North, the hospital has 550 beds. Since November 1, the hospital has seen an average bed occupancy rate of 80 per cent.
Minister Mentor Lee said: "I visited the hospital a few weeks ago, and was impressed by the 'hospital-in-a-garden' concept. With Yishun Pond next door and plenty of natural greenery, fruits and vegetables within the hospital compound itself, it is a well-designed hospital in Singapore.
"It does not have the antiseptic look of a hospital and looks more like an airy and open resort hotel. I congratulate the architects and the hospital's planning committee on the design of the hospital."
The hospital had cost the government S$700 million to build. It had also received a donation of S$125 million from the estate of the late tycoon Khoo Teck Puat.
Mr Lee said that the Khoo family is donating S$50 million to support paediatric education, research and patient care at the National University of Singapore and National University Health System.
It will also be used to set up the Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute.
Mr Lee said that he hoped Singaporeans could follow the Khoo family's example, and play their part in supporting philanthropy.
On healthcare, Mr Lee said that there will be more pressure on the healthcare system with an ageing population.
He said the government can build new hospitals, and train more doctors and nurses, but such efforts to improve healthcare will not be enough - healthcare professionals need to continually innovate, while healthcare policies cannot remain static.
Mr Lee said: "In this century, we will need to actively apply new technologies and knowledge to push healthcare forward. Improvements in healthcare come about not just because there are new drugs, new devices or new procedures.
"They require healthcare institutions and professionals to continually innovate and enhance their delivery of health services. This means collecting data, reviewing work processes, and applying research and new technologies to reduce costs and improve performance."
Mr Lee also said there is a need to study the best of international health systems and adapt best practices to suit Singapore's local context.
- CNA/al
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