Singapore Expands Integrative Medicine Education
From 2027, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) will open its rounds to undergraduates studying traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Final-year students enrolled in NTU’s four-year Bachelor of Chinese Medicine program will shadow senior physicians, observing how Western and Eastern medical practices can work together to improve patient outcomes. This initiative reflects a broader push to explore the role of TCM as a complementary modality within Singapore’s healthcare system.
A New Model of Collaborative Care
The collaboration, named Prevention and Recovery through Integrative Medicine, seeks to align clinical care with academic research. By combining Western medical treatments with TCM approaches, the partners aim to manage pain, relieve symptoms, and support rehabilitation across patient populations. The partnership was formalized on Oct 9 during the 23rd Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress at the Singapore Expo.
Leadership and Vision
Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon highlighted the initiative’s potential to bridge disciplines and strengthen patient care. He noted that cross-training for TCM and Western medical students could accelerate the adoption of evidence-based integrative practices as demand for holistic care grows. Dr Koh, who also serves as Senior Minister of State for Manpower, emphasized the program’s dual benefits: enhanced clinical training and robust research opportunities.
Training Ground for Future Clinicians
Starting in 2027, final-year NTU TCM students will undertake clinical rotations at TTSH. They will observe how TCM modalities—ranging from acupuncture to herbal-informed approaches—are integrated with conventional Western care in real patient settings. Associate Professor Linda Zhong, NTU’s director of biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine, underscored the aim of merging biomedical science research with traditional training to benefit patient treatment.
Student Perspectives
Second-year NTU students Aw Xi Han and Chandraratne Aiko Tiranya Kumari accompanied TTSH clinicians during rounds to prepare for their impending attachments. Aw noted TCM’s history of promoting holistic balance and its relatively non-invasive nature. Aiko, who speaks fluent Mandarin and is drawn to Chinese culture, hopes to help extend healthy lifespans for the elderly through integrative care.
Current Landscape of TCM in Singapore Hospitals
Inpatient TCM treatments at TTSH are currently limited to acupuncture, available also at Renci Community Hospital and the TTSH Integrated Care Hub. Other SingHealth and NHG Health facilities have long integrated acupuncture and related therapies to support pain management, musculoskeletal conditions, and stroke/nerve recovery. A National University Hospital spokesperson described a collaboration across departments that provides acupuncture, cupping, electro-acupuncture, and TCM consultations to both referred and walk-in patients.
Experts stress that acupuncture research continues to expand, with broader collaborations across institutions. Professor Lim Shih Hui noted ongoing partnerships with centers including the National Cancer Centre Singapore and regional medical institutes to advance cancer research, dementia studies, and broader TCM education and services. The overarching goal is to translate academic findings into practical, evidence-based patient care.
Future Focus: Research, Education, and Access
Beyond training, the NHG Health collaboration with DFI Retail Group signals a commitment to making preventive care and wellness products more accessible to the public. The initiative will explore co-developed health programs, screening tools, and integrated care solutions that reach communities across Asia, expanding the reach of evidence-based TCM within everyday healthcare.
