Author: Gerald Ng

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Gerald Ng is a previous editor for Medical Channel Asia. Writing has always been his first love and he has more than a decade of journalism experience after falling in love with reading the newspapers daily growing up in Singapore. His works and interviews have appeared in various media publications including Yahoo!, Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia.

As Taylor Swift’s electrifying ‘Eras Tour’ captivates audiences in Singapore, there’s growing concern over the risk of hearing loss associated with attending high-volume live concerts.  Swift’s performances, celebrated for their dynamic sound and powerful vocals, prompt crucial questions about the auditory implications for fans. Clinical audiologists Nituna Kanodia from Lynne Lim Ear Nose Throat & Hearing Centre and Hearing Partner’s Jennifer Lee answered whether regularly attending live concerts can cause hearing loss, and they both agreed that frequent concert attendance can lead to long-term hearing loss. The Swift Phenomenon Taylor Swift’s recent shows at the Singapore National Stadium highlighted her…

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In an exclusive interview at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, the venerable Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at the ripe age of 98, shared insights into his illustrious career, the secret to a long, fulfilling life, and his views on the evolving landscape of medicine and social media in Malaysia. Dr. Mahathir, synonymous with Malaysia’s transformation over the last four decades, began the day with his routine, embodying the discipline he credits for his longevity. “The most important thing is not to grow fat,” he quipped, sharing wisdom from his mother about stopping when food tastes nice to avoid overeating. He remembers his mum saying, “When the food tastes nice, the tendency is to eat too much.”

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This initiative arrives at a critical juncture as Singapore’s healthcare sector faces challenges in retaining nurses and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs). Recent statistics reveal a slight uptick in the attrition rates of AHPs in the public sector, from 8.9% in 2018 to 11.6% in 2022, highlighting the urgent need for effective retention strategies.

In response, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has engaged in concerted efforts to enhance the attractiveness of healthcare careers, including significant salary enhancements for AHPs in 2023 and comprehensive support for salary improvements within the community care sector since 2021. These measures, coupled with the ANGEL scheme, underscore Singapore’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability and resilience of its healthcare workforce.

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Registered distributors of all dental products in Malaysia are subject to stringent inspection by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and supporting authorities to ensure their quality. Dr Mahendran raised concerns regarding dental practitioners who subscribe to online vendors and distributors to purchase medical devices and dental appliances. He added that the lower prices allowed dentists to provide cheaper services besides promoting offer packages, gifts, and discounts. Dr Mahendran also stated that many private practitioners use unethical advertisements on social media offering discounts, packages, and freebies. According to the Private Healthcare and Facilities and Services Act 2018, these advertisements are prohibited.  

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Despite its economic prowess, South Korea grapples with one of the leanest doctor-to-patient ratios among leading economies. The government’s remedy? To boost medical school admissions. However, this prescription has not gone well with the current cadre of doctors, who foresee a future where heightened competition thins their earnings.

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Research on magnesium glycinate points to several potential health benefits that support some of the claims made by its proponents. For instance, magnesium is well-known for its ability to improve sleep quality, particularly in individuals with insomnia. Its calming effect on the nervous system can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. Consequently, that promotes a more restful night’s sleep.

Moreover, magnesium plays a pivotal role in muscle function. Therefore, its supplementation can be beneficial in preventing cramps and spasms, a boon for athletes and physically active individuals. The combination of magnesium with glycine in magnesium glycinate may also have a synergistic effect. This is because glycine itself is recognised for its calming properties and may enhance magnesium’s positive effects on sleep and anxiety.

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In a startling incident in central Oregon, a pet owner has been diagnosed with the bubonic plague, a disease that harks back to the Middle Ages. Health officials believe the resident contracted the rare illness from their symptomatic pet cat, marking a rare occurrence of the plague in modern times.

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As Singapore intensifies its efforts to improve mental health services, psychologists nationwide advocate for better regulation and formal recognition of their profession. This call for change emerges in light of the government’s plans to augment the cadre of psychologists in the public sector, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the national mental health infrastructure.

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