FIRST HYPERBARIC AND UNDERWATER MEDICINE COURSE IN S'PORE

To raise the standard of knowledge and care in the field of hyperbaric and underwater medicine in the community, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Medical Service and Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Hyperbaric and Diving Medicine Centre (HDMC) jointly organised the Singapore Hyperbaric and Underwater Medicine Course.

The inaugural course, held in SGH from 4 to 8 Nov, is attended by 30 participants comprising doctors from the RSN, local and foreign doctors.

It follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both the RSN and SGH in October last year to further develop and advance the field of diving and hyperbaric medicine in Singapore.

Hyperbaric medicine, or treatment for illnesses caused by pressures higher than normal atmospheric pressure, is something the RSN is familiar with since the 1970s, having a wealth of experience in treating divers with decompression illnesses, and providing medical support to compressed air workers during the construction of the Mass Rapid Transport project in the 1980s.

"This collaboration has combined the Navy's knowledge and experience in underwater medicine, with the clinical expertise of SGH in critical care and multi-disciplinary approach to patient management," said Chief Naval Medical Officer, Colonel (COL) (Dr) Kang Wee Lee, who is the co-course director.

The other co-course director, Dr Rick Soh, Director of HDMC added: "The hyperbaric medicine community in Singapore is very small. Without the collaboration with the RSN, I don't think we can conduct as good a course on our own."

"Our aim is to harness the knowledge of every individual in this field so as to not only treat patients, but also train the next generation of doctors who will treat such patients," he said.

Sharing with cyberpioneer what the course will cover, COL (Dr) Kang said speakers at the course will provide participants with a better understanding of hyperbaric medicine by sharing with them how to manage diving accidents and identifying patients who require hyperbaric treatment.

In addition, participants will be given a theory and a practical test at the end of the course, and those who successfully complete the course will be able to register as a Designated Factory Doctor (Compressed Air Works), or a medical practitioner trained in occupational health, with the Ministry of Manpower.

One participant eager to benefit from this course is general practitioner (GP) Dr Chua Thiam Eng.

"This course provides me with the opportunity to learn something new that GPs hardly come across in daily practice. So I'm looking to upgrade my skills and practise medicine at a higher level," he said.

When asked about the value of being equipped with knowledge about hyperbaric medicine, Dr Chua, who practices at Cambridge Clinic in Kreta Ayer, said: "In Singapore, there are more and more people venturing into sea sports such as boating and diving, so I foresee that in the near future, I will be seeing patients who require hyperbaric treatment."

"That is why I will definitely encourage my colleagues to participate in such courses in future."