12 Jan 2010
Singapore-China collaboration invests S$2 million to strengthen primary healthcare delivery in Southern China
Training programme expected to benefit up to 5,500 healthcare professionals in Fujian
Singapore’s primary healthcare system is held as the core model for China’s Fujian province in its plan to further enhance its own delivery system. As part of this initiative, Singapore’s largest healthcare provider, SingHealth has entered a collaborative partnership with the Fujian Provincial Health Bureau to equip healthcare professionals in China as "champions of change" to introduce reforms to the primary care health delivery system in the southern Chinese province. The Temasek Foundation–SingHealth Community Healthcare Clinical Leadership and Nursing Management Training Programme for Fujian is underwritten by a grant of approximately S$660,000 (CNY3.2mil) from Temasek Foundation, a Singapore-based philanthropic organisation. The programme is valued at approximately S$2 million (CNY9.8mil) in total, with the remaining value in the form of SingHealth's training expertise, and contributions from Fujian Provincial Health Bureau.
The training-of-trainers programme will build the capacities of healthcare professionals in Fujian province, some of whom are preparing for the new ‘Fujian (Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic’, the first primary care clinic and training centre in Fujian, modeled after Singapore’s primary healthcare system and slated to open by end 2010. The polyclinic aims to better serve the primary healthcare needs of 300,000 local residents in Qianpu, Fujian. The construction of the polyclinic is jointly funded by the Fujian government and Fujian-Singapore Community . The programme aims to certify 110 key healthcare professionals who will in turn train up to more than 5,500 healthcare professionals working in the polyclinic and other primary healthcare centres that benefit 35 million people across Fujian province.
Training programme with a focus on primary care medicine
The primary care training-of-trainers programme, which consists of four primary care clinical leadership programmes and one primary care nursing management programme will be held over two years for key healthcare professionals and administrators in Fujian. Experts from SingHealth Polyclinics and Fujian’s health organisations will share expertise on healthcare management, clinical knowledge, nursing management, health promotion and medical pedagogy within the primary healthcare setting. A committee comprising representatives of the Fujian Health Bureau, SingHealth Polyclinics and Temasek Foundation will ensure that certified trainers maintain the quality of subsequent training programmes by providing consultancy on further curriculum design and adapted programmes in Fujian.
Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer, SingHealth said: "We are honoured to be part of this collaboration, which enables us to share the benefits of a centralised primary care system, such as the one we have in Singapore, to better address patients’ needs and enhance quality patient care. We have put in effort to scope and customise the training programme to meet the needs of the primary healthcare sector in Fujian province. This initiative gives us a wider perspective and experience that is valuable as we continually improve our healthcare offerings in Singapore."
Attending the launch in Fuzhou, Mr Goh Geok Khim, Chairman, Temasek Foundation, Singapore said: "The training-of-trainers in the area of healthcare is a key focus area for Temasek Foundation and we are pleased to support this programme. We hope to play a catalytic role towards the reform of Fujian’s primary healthcare system to better serve the healthcare needs of the local community in the long run."
Cultivating a culture of continuous education
Dr Yang Ping, Director-General of the Fujian Provincial Health Bureau said: "While the ‘Fujian (Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic’ aims to provide local residents with quality primary healthcare, it will also serve as a Training Centre for primary healthcare professionals in Southern Fujian. With this training programme, a culture of continuous education is cultivated when trainees share their rich experiences with other healthcare professionals in Fujian. We are pleased to have our collaborative partners from SingHealth and Temasek Foundation join us in achieving these aims."
SingHealth Academy, the training arm of SingHealth and training administrator for this programme is working closely with SingHealth Polyclinics, Fujian Provincial Health Bureau and the Xiamen Health Bureau to ensure success of the programme.
The Temasek Foundation–SingHealth Community Healthcare Clinical Leadership and Nursing Management Training Programme in Fujian is the second collaboration that SingHealth has with Temasek Foundation, Singapore. The first, which was launched in September 2009, is the Temasek Foundation-SingHealth Training-of-Trainers Initiative to equip healthcare leaders in North India with evidence-based management skills in healthcare policy and practice to enhance healthcare delivery.
For media enquiries and interviews, please contact:
Ms Serene Ng
Group Communications
Singapore Health Services
DID: +65-6557 4950
HP: +65-9731 5061
E-mail: serene.ng.sining@singhealth.com.sg