DESIGNING A HEALTHFUL CULTURE - ahaIssue 2: March-April 2020 - NURTURING THE ROOTS OF CULTURE - Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
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aha Issue 2: March-April 2020
DESIGNING A
HEALTHFUL
CULTURE
The Yishun Health campus has been
designed to drive healthy actions,
habits and decisions
MCI (P) 065/04/2019
NURTURING THE 12 SLEEP APNOEA — GET IT 28 HEALTH IN BLOOM 30
ROOTS OF CULTURE CHECKED BEFORE SURGERY
ontents
4 HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
18 COVER STORY
Vital Spaces:
Designing a
Healthcare news and
updates
5 WHAT’S UP
Healthful Culture Community events,
outreach efforts, and more
12
The space where we
work and play can be 12 SPOTLIGHT
designed to promote Nurturing the
Roots of Culture 24 5 THINGS ABOUT…
healthy living
Profiling Yishun Health’s Mala
in-house landscaping team It may be a hot dining trend,
and their mission to cultivate but here are points to note
a healthful environment about mala
Part 3 of 3
The spaces in which we live, work and play exerts a subtle but significant influence on
the way we feel, move and behave. Yishun Health utilises this concept of placemaking to
DESIGNED FOR encourage, enable and empower patients, visitors, staff and the community to make better
lifestyle choices and, in doing so, nurtures and inculcates health further upstream.
HEALTH
2 |
PUBLISHER
Yishun Health is a network of
medical institutions and health facilities in
the north of Singapore, under the National
Healthcare Group. It comprises Admiralty
Medical Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
and Yishun Community Hospital. It also
26
includes community extensions such as
Wellness Kampung.
EDITORIAL TEAM
Hannah Wong
26 MAKAN TIME Sabrina Ng
Monkey Head Mushroom Satay Sharon Ng
Meatless satay? We say, “Mmm!” Albert Foo
28 DAILY DOSE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Sleep Apnoea — The editorial committee — made up of
clinical, nursing, allied health, population
Get it Checked health & community transformation, and
Before Surgery administrative heads of department —
Heavy snoring advises aha’s direction.
can lead to A/Prof Tan Kok Yang
a host of Bastari Irwan
serious Chia Kwee Lee
health issues Fatimah Moideen Kutty
Shirley Heng
Teresa Foong
30 MIND & HEALTH
Health in Bloom ktph.com.sg/aha
Identify the different flowers aha@ktph.com.sg
blooming around our campus
PUBLISHING AGENT
THINKFARM PTE LTD
www.thinkfarm.sg
M A N AG I N G D I R E C T O R
Christopher Tay
aha Issue 2: March-April 2020
DESIGNING A
H E A D, E D I TO R I A L
Chua Kim Beng
HEALTHFUL
CULTURE C O N T R I B U T I N G E D I TO R
Sheralyn Tay
The Yishun Health campus has been
designed to drive healthy actions,
habits and decisions
E D I TO R
Dang Hui Ling
H E A D, C R E AT I V E
Sean Lee
MCI (P) 065/04/2019
NURTURING THE 12 HEALTH IN 28 SLEEP APNOEA — GET IT 30
W
H E A D, C L I E N T R E L AT I O N S H I P
ROOTS OF CULTURE BLOOM CHECKED BEFORE SURGERY
Jessie Kek
hy aha? C O N T R I B U TO R S
Justin Loh
The name aha holds much Lee Lily
Vivienne Looi
significance for us at Yishun Health.
In part, it is a nod to our history; it aha is the official bi-monthly publication of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
also stands for ‘Advocates for Health in Action’. (Co. Reg. No. 200717564H) and is produced by ThinkFarm Pte Ltd. All
rights to this publication are reserved and no part may be reproduced
without the expressed written consent of the publishers. While every
Through these pages, we hope to empower you to effort has been made to ensure that the information in this newsletter
is accurate and up to date, the editorial team will not be responsible
take charge of your own health and discover those for errors due to information received. Opinions expressed are that of
the writers and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions
‘aha!’ moments that lead to a healthier, happier you. of the publishers. Printed by Mainland Press Pte Ltd.
MCI (P) 065/04/2019
| 3
ealth Highlights
BUDGET 2020:
Snapshots
If you missed Minister of Finance Mr Heng Swee Kiat’s
Budget 2020 that he presented to Parliament on
18 February, here are some of the goodies he announced
regarding enhancing Healthcare and Aged Care Support.
Healthcare subsidies of up to 80% CareShield Life and Long-Term
at Public Healthcare Institutions and Care Support Fund to strengthen
Aged Care Services support for long-term care
80%
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund
Pioneer Generation Package (PGP), and to provide support for assistive devices
Merdeka Generation Package (MGP) to and home healthcare items
provide greater assurance of healthcare costs
4 |
hat’s Up
Congratulations to
Dr Wong Sweet Fun,
Our Exemplary Leader!
Besides spearheading the
Population Health and Community
Transformation (PHCT) team,
Dr Wong has been part of many
noteworthy initiatives. In her work
to improve population health as
well as drive individual autonomy
and self-care, she established the
Ageing-in-Place Community Care
Team and Wellness Kampung,
which were not only novel for their
time, but have proven effective
through the years.
Dr Wong has also played
a crucial role in shaping
organisational culture. She
respects new ideas, encourages
honest conversations, and
creates a safe space for her
team. By challenging people to
ask questions and use Design
Thinking, she has helped give rise
to Goldlympics, Tri-Generational
Home Care @ North West Project,
and Mobile Community Nurse Post.
As CTO, Dr Wong oversees
the KTPH Rapid Prototyping
Grant, which supports staff
innovation and funds prototypes.
But she also encourages the
use of low-cost, everyday tools
and methods. This includes the
Share a Pot® and Able Studio
Dr Wong Sweet Fun (left) being congratulated by Mrs Chew Kwee Tiang, programmes, and using the arts to
Yishun Health CEO, after receiving the Exemplary Leader Award broach topics such as death and
at the Public Sector Transformation Awards 2020 Advance Care Planning.
More recently — highlighting
her resourceful, knowledge-driven
A t the Public Sector Transformation Awards 2020
on 8 January 2020, Dr Wong Sweet Fun, Chief
Transformation Officer (CTO) and Deputy Chairman,
mindset — she supported staff in connecting with
the American author of the Omaha System, a care
documentation tool, to explore collaborations. It led
Medical Board (Population Health), received the to a rippling effect that influenced Community Nursing
Exemplary Leader Award in recognition of her leadership, practices from Yishun Health to other clusters and
innovation and nurturing heart. even non-nursing staff.
| 5
hat’s Up
Our Rainbow Connection:
Coming Together to Support
Inclusivity
E very Tuesday and Thursday,
melodious piano music can be
heard from the mezzanine of the
KTPH lobby. The pianist, 18-year-old
Chang Xun, has been performing
for KTPH staff and visitors since
2017. Chang Xun, who is on the
autism spectrum, has gained self-
confidence through this platform,
which has helped him to self-regulate
his emotions and behaviour. Chang
Xun’s performances have been
made possible under a partnership
between Yishun Health and the
Rainbow Centre, of which Chang Xun
is a graduate.
Rainbow Centre is a special
education school for children and
youths with autism, developmental
delay, and intellectual disabilities. It
creates opportunities to make the
most of their abilities and participate
meaningfully in society through
support, practical education, and
training programmes.
The Rainbow Centre has been
one of Yishun Health’s adopted
charities for many years, and is part
of our CSR outreach and commitment a total of $22,080, surpassing the
to build an inclusive workforce. We $18,000 target.
offer internships and on-the-job Rainbow Centre’s Deputy Director
work training for students from the for Communications, Partnership
centre, equipping them with practical & Engagement, Mr Josh Lye, was
skills needed to gain employment in heartened by the effort. Beyond
the future. the money raised, he praised the
The Operations Department also meaningful collaboration between the
organises an annual fundraising two organisations. “The effort Yishun
Top: Yishun Health Senior Management
event. This year, we ramped up Health put in to do a great job and to
presenting the cheque to Ms Jessica Wee
efforts to contribute to the building include our Rainbow Centre students, and Mr Josh Lye from the Rainbow Centre
of Rainbow Centre’s third campus, Unity Primary’s students and your Middle & bottom: Yishun Health’s
located in Woodlands. Staff across staff, was clear. Thank you for your Operations Department organised the
Yishun Health rallied behind this deep and abiding partnership; thank Charity Concert to raise funds for
cause and put up a Charity Concert you for showing us what an inclusive Rainbow Centre’s upcoming third campus
on 17 January 2020. The event raised community can look like.”
6 |
Light Up, Light Up:
With Art from Our
Patients’ Hopes and Dreams
F rom 29–31 December 2019,
iconic landmarks, such as the
Merlion, Fullerton Hotel and the
ArtScience Museum, were adorned
with dazzling animated light
projections, reflecting the hopes
and dreams of our community.
Top right: These light projections were
Kassie and Yan
adapted from artworks created
are volunteers
who run the by the beneficiaries of four
Japanese pastel organisations, including YCH.
art classes for This initiative was part of the Build
YCH patients. a Dream campaign, a joint effort
Some of the
by the Marina Bay Singapore
artworks created
during those Countdown and the National
therapy sessions Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre
were replicated to support those in need.
on a larger scale
Build a Dream is a collective
on the Merlion as
light projections effort to support the underserved
in fulfilling their dreams and
personal development. Artwork
on the Merlion — featuring familiar
scenes from our patient volunteer
programmes, such as gardening,
ukulele, befriending and Japanese
pastel art — were created by
YCH patients and volunteers.
| 7
hat’s Up
Bringing the Christmas
Cheer to One and All
E ach year, as Christmas draws near,
Yishun Health rolls out myriad
programmes to bring the spirit of the
season to patients, visitors and staff,
from joyful jingles to festive foods.
Several performances were held to
Top: The Hwa bring the gift of song and friendship to
Chong Choir, rioHC, patients, and these were held at public
performing carols on
lobbies as well as inpatient wards.
17 December 2019 to
patients who were Last year, we continued the tradition
wheeled down from of serving a delicious and healthy
their wards Christmas meal. On the menu at KTPH
Above & right: and YCH were dishes such as Christmas
Members of the Chicken Roulade with Apricot Sauce,
KTPH Christian
Turkey Bacon-Chicken Roulade with
Fellowship roved
around various wards Orange Sauce, and Cream of Spinach.
to sing Christmas These thoughtfully planned meals,
carols to the patients prepared by our Food Services
colleagues, gave inpatients a taste
of the festive season even as
they recover.
8 |
Disabled Does Not
Mean Unable!
Y ishun Health’s Rehabilitation
Services marked Occupational
Therapy (OT) Day on 9 January 2020
at the KTPH Lobby. This year, the
team highlighted that disability does
not mean total inability. Instead, it is
possible to achieve independence
and continue in activities again
with the guidance of Occupational
Therapists and other available The OT team organised
quizzes and exhibited
resources. In partnership with ABLE OT equipment that
Studio and Horticulture Therapy are used during
volunteers, they showcased mobility rehabilitation
aids and therapeutic activities that
enhance function and quality of life.
| 9
hat’s Up
Huat a Way to Celebrate
Chinese New Year!
Above & left: Yishun
Health volunteers and
T o ring in the Year of the Rat,
Yishun Health — supported
by staff, volunteers, community
staff gathering for a
festive luncheon and
lo hei to kick-start the
Year of the Rat
partners and residents — held
Below: Ms Eileen Cheah,
a range of fun and meaningful
Assistant Director,
engagement activities. Nursing, was among the
Senior Management staff
Volunteer appreciation lunch, who served lunch to our
lo hei, and Lunar New Year volunteers
shopping excursion
On 8 January 2020, more than 50
Yishun Health volunteers and staff They were treated to a delicious
came together at YCH’s Level 2 meal prepared by YCH Kitchen
Open Plaza for a New Year’s party. Services, and served by Yishun
2020: Time to CelebRATe was Health Senior Management and
a special occasion organised to staff as a way of expressing thanks
show our appreciation to all our and appreciation for their service
valued volunteers from different and dedication. After their hearty
programmes and activities. It was lunch, they went on a Lunar New
also a time for them to meet and Year shopping trip to Woodlands
make new friends. Terrace Wholesale Market.
10 |and Sunshine Buddies delivered
the origami fishes to more than
800 KTPH and YCH patients. As
an added reminder, the Patient
Experience Office collaborated
with the Nutrition & Dietetics
department to attach a card
with healthy eating tips to each
Happy Fish, nudging the patients
to eat wisely.
Wishing one and all a ‘mice’
Lunar New Year
This festive period also saw our
Human Resource colleagues
continue their Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) tradition for
the fourth year. Our HR team
conducted a fun and meaningful
art-and-craft session for the Above: KTPH and YCH Food Services
residents. They handfolded cute came up with a healthier version of
popular Lunar New Year dishes, such as
angbao mice and pandan roses
pencai (盆菜).
specially for Singapore Christian
Each Happy Fish came with a personal Home (SCH) residents and Wellness
touch and a healthy nudge. Together
Kampung participants. Cooking Up a Feast for Our
with the Sunshine Buddies, Mrs Chew
Kwee Tiang, Yishun Health CEO (top), Patients
and Dr Lee Kok Keng, Medical KTPH and YCH Food Services
Director, YCH (above), gifted Happy whipped up traditional meals
Fishes to patients, wishing them specially for patients during the
abundant health and happiness
Chinese New Year festive period,
including a version of the reunion
seafood dish, pencai. This version
Bringing well-wishes of of the popular dish was healthy and
abundant good health tasty — minus the calories, excess
to inpatients salt and MSG! Over at YCH Food
Our Sunshine Buddies, volunteers Services, wholesome double-boiled
who regularly engage with patients chicken soup was served, paired with
in the wards, initiated the idea a green apple chicken roll with citrus
of gifting hand-folded angbao peach and plum sauce, and side
fish, or ‘Happy Fish’, as way to servings of broccoli and mushroom.
cheer up patients spending their
Chinese New Year away from
home. Over two weeks in January,
patients, caregivers, staff and
volunteers took part in the fish-
folding activity, which was held
at the YCH lobby. Many were in
between appointments or visiting
loved ones, and found this to be
a meaningful way to spend their
time. The target of 800 Happy
Fishes was quickly surpassed — a
total of 1,200 cute origami fishes
were made!
The Yishun Health CSR team and volunteers joined the HR team to visit SCH on
On 22 and 23 January 2020, 16 January 2020
Yishun Health Senior Management
| 11potlight NURTURING THE ROOTS Mrs Rosalind Tan, Mr Simon Chan and Mr Mark Lim lead Yishun Health’s in-house landscaping team 12 |
OF CULTURE Sustainable growth
starts with deeply
rooted foundations.
This is where gardens
and organisational
culture dovetail. A
dedicated in-house
landscaping team
leverages greenery
as a platform for
healthful engagement,
supporting Yishun
Health’s mission of
healing and health.
T
he signature greenery of
KTPH and YCH is a nod to
Yishun Health’s heritage
from its Alexandra Hospital
(AH) beginnings. It was there that
Mrs Rosalind Tan, then a veteran
Occupational Therapist, was tasked
to beautify the grounds.
At the time, in 2002, she
had already served 39 years in
healthcare and was approaching
retirement. Taking up the unique
challenge, she began to integrate
plants, flowers and even fruit
orchards into the landscape. In
the beginning, she did not know
very much about plants, but was
unfazed. “I had no horticulture or
botany training, just an interest and
willingness to work and do hands-on
work,” she shares.
Since then, Rosalind has spent
close to two decades tending to the
| 13potlight
“We act as
champions to
ensure that
the culture of
greening, healing
and sustainability
is carried on and
nurtured.”
MRS ROSALIND TAN
plants, shrubs and gardens of AH,
then KTPH and YCH. Today, she and
her small but efficient team oversee
the landscaping needs across KTPH
and YCH. Not surprisingly, Rosalind is
fondly known as Yishun Health’s
‘Chief Gardener’.
The team has done extensive
work. Although the hospital
grounds are a third the size of AH,
it has achieved a similar extent
of greenery. “We went upwards,
utilising the rooftops and walls,”
explains Mr Simon Chan, who
works closely with Rosalind in the
landscaping team. From rooftop
farms, window boxes, vertical
greening and pocket gardens,
the development has achieved an
impressive green plot ratio of 3.92*.
There are 13 gardens across the
hospital campus, including eight
rooftop gardens, where more than
50 varieties of fruit trees and 51
types of vegetables and herbs are
grown. Upon harvesting, some of
14 |The fruit of the
landscape team’s
labours
A volunteer tending
to her vegetables
these are used in meals served to THE GREEN CULTURE
patients, while the rest is sold, with CONNECTION
the funds channelled back to Simon, who used to volunteer at AH
the gardens. and now works for Yishun Health,
sees the connection between his
A COMMUNITY EFFORT work and passion for gardening
To keep all this greenery cost- and the larger operational mission
efficient and sustainable, the team of the hospital. While his primary
has made the distinct move to role in the team is in administration
engage volunteers. While manual and procurement to keep things
and heavy-duty work is done by running smoothly, it is more than just
contractors, a dedicated group of paperwork or planting to him; it is an
some 20 community volunteers effort that aligns with the big picture
work almost daily to tend to crops. of driving healing, sustainability
Mr Mark Lim, who is in charge of and wellness.
ground operations and volunteer
management, ensures that
these volunteering sessions are *A green plot ratio is the
meaningful so that the hard work amount of greenery in relation
of keeping the gardens going to the built environment.
Greenery is not confined to the
can be sustained over time. “Our At 3.92, KTPH has nearly gardens in Yishun Health
volunteers are a critical part of
four units of
green area for
our operations,” he says. “Their
each unit of
service and dedication to this
ground area.
programme help us be as self-
sustainable as possible.”
| 15potlight
“The community
engagement of
volunteers in the
maintenance of
the gardens is a
healthy physical
and social activity
that also supports
the hospital’s
health-promotion
efforts.”
MR SIMON CHAN
He notes, “The community the entire hospital. “We act as This idea of integration has led
engagement of volunteers in the champions to ensure that the to a campus-wide ecosystem
maintenance of the gardens is a culture of greening, healing and that has become home for birds,
healthy physical and social activity sustainability is carried on and butterflies, fishes and other animals.
that also supports the hospital’s nurtured,” she explains. “As an The ponds are teeming with more
health-promotion efforts.” in-house team, we understand than 100 species of fish, while more
As Rosalind puts it, the team the history of our greening than 99 species of butterfly and 88
does more than oversee the efforts and support the whole species of bird have been spotted
landscaping maintenance of integrated picture.” within the hospital grounds.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Rare insects have been spotted at KTPH, much to the delight of nature enthusiasts.
In December 2019, two species of In October 2017, the Influent Royal (Tajuria
dragonfly were seen at KTPH: locally extinct Clipper dominus dominus) has
Sultan (Camacinia gigantean) and Spoon-tailed (Parthenos sylvia been spotted frequently
Duskhawker (Gynacantha basiguttata) lilacinus) was seen in the
Medicinal Garden
16 |Mark, a bird enthusiast, points out
that birds such as the Peregrine Falcon,
Common Kingfisher, Blue-winged Pitta,
as well as Herons and Egrets can be
frequently spotted. Recently, a Dusky
Warbler — last seen in Singapore in
1995 — landed in the KTPH gardens,
attracting hordes of bird enthusiasts
and avid photographers.
GREEN AND GREEN
“We want to bring nature to the
Yishun Health’s greening efforts are designed
doorstep of our patients. It helps to be as self-sustaining and cost-efficient as
support their overall wellness,” Rosalind possible. Apart from recruiting volunteers,
says. “Our greenery attracts not only the following are other ideas that have
wildlife, but people who come for been implemented:
leisure. It is all part of placemaking.” • Water from the pond is used for irrigation,
Adds Mark, “It is rewarding to bring thereby saving resources
nature to patients and people, and • Native plants across the hospital have been
connect them with not only the beauty selected for their hardiness and their ability to
of nature, but its benefits.” form symbiotic relationships with each other and
reduce the need for maintenance
• Urban farming innovations, such as aquaponics
and hydroponics systems, have been integrated
into the gardens to ramp up agricultural output,
with the goal of growing more vegetables
for patients
• Composting and food digesters are used to
produce in-house fertilisers
• Recycling is prevalent: banana trunks are used
to make strings, disposable pillow cases are
turned into bags, plastic bottles are upcycled
to house seedlings
• A portion of the harvest from the gardens is sold
to the public at a mini fruit and vegetable market
held along the KTPH link bridge three times a
week, with proceeds channelled back to the
green fund for the maintenance of the gardens
“It is rewarding to bring
nature to patients and
people, and connect them
with not only the beauty of
nature, but its benefits.”
MR MARK LIM
| 17Cover Story 18 |
DESIGNED FOR
HEALTH
PART 3 OF 3
VITAL SPACES:
DESIGNING
A HEALTHFUL
CULTURE
From our genes and lifestyle to accessibility and
affordability, health stems from a multiplicity of
factors. Even the environment we live in can support
healthy choices in more ways than we think. At Yishun
Health, we have created intentional spaces that drive
healthy actions, habits and decisions, nurturing a
culture of wellness that goes beyond medicine.
| 19Cover Story
H
ealth stems from the The cornerstone of a of health.” (Turn to page 12 to
spaces and places in which preventive approach had to read more about Rosalind and her
we live, work, play and encompass education and landscaping team’s work in keeping
interact. As a hospital, it engagement, and the right our grounds green).
was only natural to build a place that environment to support this. To Apart from the emotional well-
supports health in all its facets — from be a Health-Promoting Hospital, being that comes from being in
seamless, integrated care to engaging we had to start from the ground up. nature, this greenery draws in the
multipurpose public spaces that In designing for sustainability and community, making the hospital
facilitate exercise, offer sanctuary and the environment, we design for more than a place for the sick.
drive social connections. communities and for health. To maximise the shared value of
This is what led to the vision of a public spaces and the opportunity
multifaceted Healthropolis, which the FROM PLANTS TO to engage the community, subtle
pioneering team conceptualised as a PLACEMAKING messaging and passive design have
healing environment designed not just Mrs Rosalind Tan, Yishun Health’s been used to promote health and
for quality healthcare, but also overall ‘Chief Gardener’, notes that the well-being. These attract residents
health of individuals, organisation and hospitals’ gardens and landscaping to make use of the hospital grounds
community. Since the early planning is greenery with a purpose. “It and benefit from the space as well.
stages, Yishun Health has aimed to build has always been planned and Take Yishun resident, Mr Daniel
more than just a healthcare facility that integrated into the development Chan, 58, a former patient who
treats disease reactively. from Day 1 as part of our mission returns to KTPH for more than
20 |DESIGNED FOR
HEALTH
PART 3 OF 3
been thoughtfully designed to
“We use behavioural
facilitate an active lifestyle. The
site of the hospital, located next
economics to add to a storm pond, was deliberate.
What was an unattractive body of
more layers to water — once filled with rubbish and
what we can do
surrounded by sparse vegetation
— has been transformed and
as a healthcare integrated into the development as
a lush, enticing promenade with a
organisation. This running track and an exercise corner.
is where the idea
“We encourage staff to be
positive role models in encouraging
of stealth health and motivating healthy habits,”
says Dr Wong. This role-modelling
comes in, nudges builds social norms, she elaborates.
that subtly remind
“When they saw people exercising
around the promenade, residents
and reinforce positive began to join in; now there is a buzz
of activity around the pond.” Across
and healthy choices.” the hospital, a similar approach is
seen in health messages, which
encourage people to take the stairs,
DR WONG SWEET FUN make healthier food choices, and be
CHIEF TRANSFORMATION OFFICER & mindful of one’s weight.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, MEDICAL BOARD Other touches come in the
(POPULATION HEALTH) form of subliminal design. For
example, to nudge people towards
medical treatment. He frequently Deputy Chairman, Medical Board healthier choices, beverages with
has breakfast at Foodfare@KTPH (Population Health), points out that the Healthier Choice symbol are
after his morning exercise around Yishun Health’s person-centred placed prominently at eye level,
the pond. “It’s a nice area. And it’s approach is applied to not just while higher-sugar and lower-
convenient for me to grab a bite healthcare delivery, but also in the fibre items are priced higher than
after my walk,” he says. promotion of health. “Patients are at their healthier counterparts. The
Another visitor, Mr Ahmad Farid, the centre of what we do and how menu boards also highlight the
loves the “healing oasis that heals we develop processes that make a calories of dishes for customers
everyone who enters”. “Who says difference to their care,” she says. to make more informed choices.
hospitals can’t feel like gardens or This also means looking at how to These efforts shift behaviour
resorts?” he challenges. “This is so keep people healthy when they in small but significant ways,
much more than a hospital. It is for are not sick. “We use behavioural augmenting the health-promoting
people to relax, pursue passions economics to add more layers to initiatives that Yishun Health
and be healthy.” what we can do as a healthcare does as a healthcare provider.
organisation. This is where the idea “Championing a healthy lifestyle
USING SPACES TO SHIFT of stealth health comes in, nudges has always been part of NTUC
FROM HEALTHCARE that subtly remind and reinforce Foodfare’s DNA. We are pleased to
TO HEALTH positive and healthy choices.” partner Yishun Health in providing
Dr Wong Sweet Fun, Chief For example, the environment a wider range of healthier food
Transformation Officer and and physical infrastructure have options for the hospital staff,
| 21Cover Story
patients and visitors in a clean and the most obvious marks of
sustainable environment,” reveals a Yishun Health’s commitment, the
spokesperson for NTUC Foodfare. effort stems from the ground up, HOW CAN YOU GO
and is built into our very operations,
GREEN WITH US?
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, where environmental responsibility • Bring your own bags to
HEALTHY BODY is emphasised in daily actions collect your medicines or
This conscious effort to create a and mindsets. purchases from the pharmacy
welcoming environment for our This is exemplified in the Yishun • Go straw-free and drink
residents and design public spaces Health concept of the ‘sustainability straight from the cup
as health-promoting platforms is Rs’ [see illustration below].
• Bring your own cups or
strongly linked to Yishun Health’s Apart from ‘reduce’, ‘reuse’ and take-out containers to
sustainability efforts. There is an ‘recycle’, the organisation strongly receive a discount from
intimate relationship between emphasises a fourth R: ‘refuse’. most eateries on campus
environment and human health. There is a waste hierarchy that takes • Refuse paper receipts
We have — since our early days — a preventive approach to waste. By
• Donate carrier bags to the
endeavoured to nurture a culture that first refusing non-biodegradable or
Pharmacy or ABLE Studio
sees health and environment as one. single-use items, it addresses the for others to reuse
While the greenery and root of the problem, consuming less
biodiversity in the campus are right from the start.
YISHUN HEALTH’S WASTE HIERARCHY: SUSTAINABILITY Rs
Refuse
1ST Reduce
• Refuse the
consumption of 2ND Reuse
things we do not
need, especially
single-use
and/or non-
• Reduce the
consumption of 3RD Recycle
resources and
biodegradable
utilities through
consumables.
frugality.
• Reuse items to
maximise their 4TH
lifespan.
• Reduce the • Recycle
volume of • Repair items, whenever
items disposed if required, and wherever
through prudent to continue possible instead
consumption. reusing them. of discarding
into general
waste streams.
Most Least
Frequent Frequent
22 |DESIGNED FOR
HEALTH
PART 3 OF 3
Besides medical appointments, the open and healing environment of KTPH encourages the community to visit for leisure!
This approach paints a larger visitors and staff are reminded to make bags. All our F&B partners have
picture about how being green is sustainability a way of life through come aboard our straw-free initiative,
a way of life and a part of culture- awareness campaigns, posters, as which began in September 2018; this
building. This means driving well as various 4R initiatives. Such means more than 800 plastic straws
sustainability from the ground up in initiatives include reusing plastic bags a month are saved from ending up as
everyday actions and reinforcing it and the reducing of single-use plastic waste after one use. On the back-end,
actively across organisational practices. consumables. A small charge for even our linen laundering partner,
At the institutional level, for plastic bags has been levied since 2010 Zero Spot, has implemented various
example, Yishun Health’s Green and, in 2017, the hospital’s pharmacy energy- and water-saving measures
Philosophy is formalised in began encouraging patients and to reduce its carbon footprint.
internal procurement practices visitors to donate carrier bags for These actions, taken daily in
and tenancy contracts. There reuse. Hearteningly, many of these ways big and small, all add up.
are policies in place to ensure initiatives are being driven by our And it is an ongoing journey to
that environmentally hazardous vendors, who have taken ownership inculcate a culture of sustainability
consumables are neither purchased and implemented their own sustainable and appreciate its link to health
nor used in the hospital. Tenants, practices, showing how Yishun Health’s and well-being. Ultimately, says
too, are encouraged to adhere to culture of sustainability has expanded. Mrs Chew Kwee Tiang, CEO, Yishun
the hospital’s Green Policy, which In solidarity with our efforts, Health, these efforts not only
sets out guidelines for sustainable, our tenants, Subway and FairPrice reduce operating cost and carbon
resource-efficient practices. Xpress, charge $0.10 for a plastic footprint, but also profoundly
bag to discourage the use of non- impact the quality of care for
GROUND-UP SUPPORT biodegradables. Ollo, the automated patients. “We do all this not to take
Green behaviour is also encouraged laundromat service, has replaced away from the clinical work we do,
throughout the hospital. Patients, plastic bags with reusable woven but to drive healthcare value.”
| 23Things About...
5 Things About...
Mala The hottest food trend
has been, well, a hot
one. But go easy on
the mala, especially
if you are watching
your weight or have a
sensitive tummy.
In consultation with Ms Seow Vi Vien,
Dietitian, Nutrition & Dietetics, KTPH
T
he addictive tingle and
burn of the Szechuan
pepper can be found in
everything from hotpot
to potato chips these days. While
the spice can add an intoxicating
kick to your meal, Ms Seow Vi Vien,
Dietitian, KTPH, highlights five
important things to note even as
you get your mala (麻辣) on.
1 SPICY FOOD IS
GOOD FOR YOU…
Spicy foods such as chillies are
concentrated sources of fibre,
vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Capsaicin, the chemical compound
that gives spicy food its punch, is
also associated with small increases
in temperature and metabolism.
Some studies indicate a positive
correlation between spice-heavy
diets and longevity. A 2015 study
by a group of researchers for
China Kadoorie Biobank observed
that spicy food consumption was
inversely associated with the risks
of death due to cancer, ischaemic
24 |heart diseases, and respiratory
diseases. Another study in 2017 by
the University of Vermont found
3 THERE MAY BE
MORE CALORIES
THAN THE SPICE
4 TOO HOT
TO HANDLE
If you have gastritis, irritable bowel
a 13% lower risk of death among IS WORTH syndrome, acid reflux or stomach
chilli lovers and lower rates of The nutrition and benefits of spicy ulcer, excessively spicy food can
inflammatory disease. food can also be outweighed by make the problem worse. While
the way that mala food is prepared. spicy foods do not cause ulcers or
2 …TO AN EXTENT
However, it is important to note
that more research is needed to
Many of such dishes are cooked
in a sauce that contains a large
quantity of sugar, salt and oil.
refluxes, they can irritate the stomach
and gut, increasing the severity of
symptoms. Over-spicy foods can also
confirm the benefits of spicy foods Compared to fresh chilli, this spicy cause diarrhoea in those not used to
such as mala. Many of the benefits sauce is a lot more calorie-laden — eating such dishes.
do not translate in realistic terms. a typical meal can easily exceed the
For instance, spicy foods alone are
not significant sources of nutrients,
and have to be eaten in substantial
recommended daily sodium intake.
In addition, the spicy sauce may not
be as healthful compared to fresh
5 SPICE THINGS UP –
IN MODERATION
There are ways to spice up your meal
amounts to confer meaningful chilli [refer to sidebar]. The China without going overboard. Use fresh
benefits. And although there are Kadoorie Biobank study compared chillies and low-sodium soy sauce in
qualitative reports suggesting that the disease rate of fresh chilli and moderation, or use mala spices in soup
spicy foods may boost metabolism non-fresh chilli eaters, and found rather than in a sauce. You can also add
and support weight loss, the that death due to cancer, diabetes a dash of hot sauce, or sprinkle chilli
evidence to date is insufficient and heart disease was lower among flakes or ground cayenne pepper for a
to warrant eating spicy food as a the group who predominantly ate lower-calorie option to sodium-, sugar-
feasible way to lose weight. unprocessed chillies. and oil-laden sauces.
Mala Xiang Guo Chilli sauce Fried sambal Fresh-cut
seasoning with oil with oil chilli
(per 100g) (per 100g) (per 100g) (per 100g)
Calories Calories Calories Calories
670 kcal 864 kcal 280 kcal 40 kcal
Fat Fat Fat Fat
79 g 75 g 21.2 g 0.4 g
Sodium Sodium Sodium Sodium
2,627 mg 2,592 mg 73 mg 0 mg
| 25akan Time Monkey Head Mushroom Satay Make this tasty vegetarian satay as a healthy starter or snack. Recipe provided by Chef Muazzin Shah Bin Mohd Shah, Sous Chef, Food Services, KTPH, in consultation with Nutrition & Dietetics, KTPH 26 26 |
cut
& keep Monkey Head
Mushroom Satay
INGREDIENTS
SERVES 10
Satay sauce
• 300g raw peanuts
• 100g blue ginger paste
• 250g lemongrass paste
• 250g ginger paste
• 100g garlic paste
• 200g shallot paste
• 1tbsp soybean oil
• Salt and sugar to taste
Mushroom
• 700g monkey head mushroom
• 30g turmeric powder
• 30g cumin powder
• 60g coriander powder
• 30g brown sugar
METHOD
Satay sauce
1. Pre-heat the oven to 110°C
2. Roast the peanuts for 15–20 minutes
till golden brown, then crush them
coarsely using a blender
3. In a medium pan, pre-heat the oil, add
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION in all the spice paste and fry till fragrant
(PER SERVING) 4. Add the crushed peanuts and continue
to stir-fry for another 15–20 minutes
Energy 452kcal
5. Season the sauce with salt and sugar.
Carbohydrate 21g
Protein 22g Grilled mushroom satay
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the turmeric,
Fat 30g
cumin, coriander and sugar, then toss
• Saturated 3g in the monkey head mushroom and
• Polyunsaturated 3g marinate for 3 hours
2. Thread 3 or 4 pieces of mushroom
• Monounsaturated 10g
onto each skewer
Cholesterol 0mg 3. Grill on medium heat till mushrooms are
Dietary Fibre 15g golden brown
4. Serve with cucumber, shallots and
Sodium 173mg
satay sauce
| 27aily Dose
Sleep Apnoea —
get it checked
before surgery
Untreated sleep apnoea is linked to an increased risk of
heart problems and other health conditions. A recent KTPH
study has revealed other significant implications for the condition,
underscoring the need for more awareness, diagnosis and treatment.
In consultation with A/Prof Edwin Seet, Senior Consultant, Anaesthesia, KTPH
I
n the first large-scale, multi- population have sleep apnoea —
country study of its kind, severe most of whom are unaware of it.
obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) “It is very well known that patients
has been linked with with severe and untreated OSA are OSA, which underscores the need for
cardiovascular complications from more likely to die from a heart attack pre-surgery assessment. At KTPH, a
surgery. Those with severe OSA or stroke in the long term, but this is risk-assessment tool for OSA called
were twice as likely to suffer from the first robust study to show that STOP-Bang is mandatory for all
complications such as heart failure, even a short surgery period will make surgical patients. Those with OSA are
damage to the heart muscle, as well a difference to adverse outcomes,” more carefully monitored; doctors
as an irregular and rapid heart rate. says A/Prof Seet. He adds that can also opt for shorter-acting
The Singapore cohort — led by anaesthetics during surgery can anaesthetics and/or fewer opioids.
A/Prof Edwin Seet, Senior Consultant, worsen OSA because it increases The study, which was published
Anaesthesia, KTPH — studied more the obstruction. in the Journal of the American
than 1,200 patients from Singapore, In the study, cardiovascular Medical Association in May 2019, will
Malaysia, Hong Kong, Canada and complications typically happened be followed up to look at possible
New Zealand for a few years. within a week for patients with severe interventions.
It revealed that, compared to
those who did not have the condition,
adult patients with severe OSA were OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA (OSA)
more than twice as likely to suffer In OSA, breathing Normal Sleep Obstructive Sleep
from cardiovascular complications repeatedly stops and
after surgery, and 14 times more likely starts during sleep
to die within a month of surgery. This because the airway
strongly points to the need for OSA muscles intermittently
assessment before any major surgery, relax, blocking the flow
and for necessary precautions during of oxygen. It causes
and after surgery. loud snoring, excessive
However, OSA is a condition daytime sleepiness, and Normal breathing, open Fully blocked airway
airway, tongue relaxed
that is underdiagnosed. A/Prof Seet high blood pressure. In (falling slightly back)
points out that the study found Singapore, the condition
that 60% of the participants had affects about one in four
undiagnosed OSA and 10% had men and one in 10 women.
undiagnosed severe and significant Scan the QR code to check your STOP-Bang score
OSA. In Singapore, about one-third and learn if you have OSA — then consult your doctor to
of Singaporeans in the general learn how to manage your condition.
28 |COVID-19
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
Remain vigilant, adopt good personal hygiene practices
and exercise the following precautions at all times
Do
Observe good Practise frequent hand Wear a mask if you have Cover your mouth with
personal hygiene washing with soap a cough or runny nose a tissue paper when
coughing or sneezing
PAS
SPOR
T
Dispose soiled tissue Seek medical Travellers should Inform your
papers and masks in attention promptly monitor their doctor of your
the rubbish bin if you are feeling health closely travel history
immediately unwell
Avoid
Contact with live Consumption Crowded areas or close
animals, poultry of raw and contact with people who
and birds undercooked meats are unwell
For the latest updates on the situation, you may refer to MOH’s website at
https://www.moh.gov.sg/ind & Health
HEALTH
IN BLOOM
1
Yishun Health has, since its earliest days,
incorporated design — particularly landscaping —
as part of the healing process. The campus provides
fertile ground for many flowering plants. Can you
name them by sight? There are clues to help you
along. Try to spot them the next time you visit KTPH!
1 Bu er yP
2
2 F gipa
3 L t
4 ate L y
30 || 31
4
3
ANSWERS
1 Butterfly Pea / 2 Frangipani / 3 Lotus / 4 Water Lily /
5 Red Hibiscus / 6 Ixora / 7 Torch Ginger / 8 Heliconia /
5 9 Balsam Flower / 10 Lantana
an 10 La
6
7 isc s ed H 9
ra 8 I
ing ch 7 T
8
9
ia lic 6 H
er ls m Fl 5 B
10Community
Nurse Post
Wellness Kampung
Wellness Kampung is an initiative comprising three wellness and care centres for residents in the north. They
provide a suite of health and social programmes, creating a support network for residents to inspire each other to
adopt healthier lifestyles in a close-knit 'kampung' setting.
Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8.30am to 5.30pm (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all Public Holidays)
115 Chong Pang 260 Nee Soon East 765 Nee Soon
Blk 115 Yishun Ring Road Blk 260 Yishun Street 22 Blk 765 Yishun Street 72
#01-495, Singapore 760115 #01-87, Singapore 760260 #01-366, Singapore 760765
6257 4702 6257 4802 6257 4842
Admiralty Medical Khoo Teck Puat Yishun Community
Centre (AdMC) Hospital (KTPH) Hospital (YCH)
AdMC is a one-stop medical centre for KTPH is a 795-bed general and acute YCH provides intermediate care for
specialist outpatient consultation, day care hospital serving more than 800,000 recuperating patients who do not require
surgery, rehabilitation and diagnostic people living in the north of Singapore. the intensive services of an acute care
services, as well as community health It combines medical expertise with high hospital. Situated beside KTPH, the two
outreach activities. standards of personalised care in a hospitals provide an integrated care
healing environment, to provide care experience for patients.
good enough for our own loved ones.
676 Woodlands Drive 71, #03-01 90 Yishun Central 2 Yishun Central 2
Kampung Admiralty, Singapore 730676 Singapore 768828 Singapore 768024
6807 8000 6555 8000 6807 8800
www.admiraltymedicalcentre.com.sg www.ktph.com.sg www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg
www.fb.com/admiraltymedicalcentre www.fb.com/khooteckpuathospital www.fb.com/yishuncommunityhospitalYou can also read
