Fireside chat with Minister Ong Ye Kung. // Image credit: Duke-NUS Medical School
The session offered students a rare opportunity to engage directly with the Health Minister on some of the most pressing challenges shaping the nation’s healthcare landscape.
During the discussion, Mr Ong highlighted the need for our healthcare system to stay ahead of the curve by not only increasing capacity through technological advancement and infrastructure expansion, but also through alleviating healthcare demands with a robust primary care network and strong health education campaigns. Students in the audience were excited hear about efforts to boost the efficiency and quality of care, such as the ongoing integration of Singapore’s electronic medical record systems, , the roll-out of the hospital clinician scheme, as well as the Healthier SG and Nutri-Grade Mark campaigns.
“The dialogue reminded us that issues affecting at-risk youth—whether vaping, mental health well-being or emerging public health threats—do not exist in isolation. They sit at the intersection of lived experiences, healthcare delivery and policy.”
Mr Ong also spoke candidly about how healthcare professions are set to evolve amid rapid technological advances and demographic change, and encouraged students to embrace these changes.
The conversation resonated with many in the audience, underscoring the interconnected nature of modern health challenges.
“It was a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation,” said Foo Chuan De, a Duke-NUS Class of 2027 student, organising committee member and founding member of the Duke-NUS Global and Population Health Student Interest Group.
“The dialogue reminded us that issues affecting at-risk youth—whether vaping, mental health well-being or emerging public health threats—do not exist in isolation. They sit at the intersection of lived experiences, healthcare delivery and policy.”
“As medical students, this reinforces the importance of thinking beyond the clinic and recognising our future roles not only as clinicians, but also as advocates, educators and partners in shaping healthier communities.”
By bridging policy and practice, the session offered a glimpse into the evolving responsibilities of tomorrow’s doctors—where adaptability, collaboration and a broader view of health will be essential in meeting the needs of a changing society.