KKH visionary trialblazers are establishing new standards in clinical, innovation and academic excellence to advance women’s and children’s health.
Associate Professor Ng Kee Chong
Chairman, Medical Board, KKH
Senior Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, KKH
| In 1997, a young resident took up the challenge to lead the establishment of Singapore’s first dedicated 24-hour acute care facility for babies and children – KKH Children’s Emergency.
Over the course of a 26-year career as a paediatrician, Associate Professor Ng Kee Chong became Singapore’s first paediatrician-turned paediatric emergency medicine specialist, and played a key role in the national development of paediatric resuscitation and trauma life support, mass casualty and pandemic preparedness. Assoc Prof Ng also spearheaded the SingHealth Duke-NUS Maternal and Child Health Research Institute in 2021 to transform intergenerational population health.
In recognition of his visionary leadership and dedication to the advancement of women and child health, Assoc Prof Ng was conferred the National Outstanding Clinician Award at the National Medical Excellence Awards 2022.
Leading paediatric trauma, resuscitation and crisis preparedness
Assoc Prof Ng played a pivotal role in the national paediatric response to significant disease outbreaks including SARS, H1N1, Zika and COVID-19.
A member of the Ministry of Health (MOH) National Trauma Committee, Assoc Prof Ng strengthened the Singapore Civil Defence Force’s paediatric pre-hospital protocols and established key national guidelines and training for paediatric mass casualty and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) response. A passionate educator, Assoc Prof Ng holds key roles in academic centres and organisations for paediatric health. He is currently the first in Asia to chair the Pediatric Life Support (PLS) Taskforce of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation.
Supporting the development of every woman and child
For Assoc Prof Ng, the health of every person and future generations begins with laying the foundations of transformation at the start of the life cycle.
“We continue to advance the health of the mother, the child and the family throughout their life course, starting from the womb and all the way to adulthood – this work never ends,” said Assoc Prof Ng.
|
Ms Julia Eng
Deputy Director of Nursing, Division of Nursing, KKH
| One of Singapore’s first Advanced Practice Nurses (APN), Ms Julia Eng has been a driving force in the evolution of the nursing profession. For her contributions to shaping clinical innovation and excellence, Ms Eng was among six nurses who were conferred the President’s Award for Nurses in 2022, the highest accolade in Singapore’s nursing profession.
Advanced Practice Nurse-led clinics for gynaecological oncology
With a special interest in oncology care, Ms Eng led the creation of the Gynaecological Oncology APN clinic and the APN pre-operative assessment and evaluation clinic at KKH. For the first time, APNs who were trained in advanced health assessment, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology led consultations and prescribed medications to prepare patients for surgery.
Safer cancer care for women
Committed to creating a safer treatment journey, Ms Eng initiated the use of needleless connectors in central venous catheters while maintaining a closed system for enhanced safety during drug or liquid infusions, a mainstay in cancer therapy. This technique reduces the risks of bloodstream infections and is now implemented as a standard practice at KKH.
Top-of-license nursing practice
With a Master’s Degree in Nursing from the National University of Singapore (NUS), Ms Eng lectures at Singapore Institute of Technology and Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Health and Social Sciences. She is also a lead education associate at Duke-NUS Medical School.
A member of the MOH APN Development committee, Ms Eng saw the restructuring of the NUS Master of Nursing Programme to emphasise the clinical application of advanced skills. She implemented changes to MOH’s Integrated APN Internship Programme to support deeper integration of skills and knowledge into clinical practice.
“The role of nursing continues to evolve alongside emerging and ever-changing needs. Our key role is to
better the health of our population and empower the next generation,” said Ms Eng.
|
