MINDEF, NUS LAUNCH CENTRE TO STUDY INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Singapore may boast an advanced health care system, but the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and H1N1 outbreaks in the last decade are poignant reminders that it is not immune to infectious diseases.

To develop the capability and expertise in dealing with infectious diseases, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) established a Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER) in February 2011. The centre is currently housed in the DSO National Laboratories building within NUS.

Epidemiology is the study of disease trends and the application of the study to the control of diseases.

At the official launch of CIDER on 27 Jul at NUS, MINDEF's Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Quek Tong Boon, noted that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) was not spared from the SARS and H1N1 outbreaks, and had to develop measures to ensure continued operational readiness.

On the reason behind the establishment of CIDER, Prof Quek said: "As infectious diseases respect no borders, organisations or entities, a coordinated approach is necessary for us to effectively respond to any outbreak."

He added: "We see CIDER playing a pivotal role in enhancing the SAF's early warning disease surveillance system."

According to Chief Naval Medical Officer Colonel (COL) (Dr) Tang Kong Choong, who also commands the SAF Force Medical Protection Command (FMPC), the Biodefence Centre (BDFC) within FMPC is directly involved in this collaboration with the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in NUS.

He went on to elaborate that the BDFC manages the SAF's medical and infectious disease policies and vaccinations. It also provides the ground responses should there be an infectious disease outbreak in the SAF.

When asked how the SAF will benefit from CIDER, COL (Dr) Tang cited the SAF-wide influenza vaccination programme implemented last year as an example of a tangible result of the partnership.

He said: "Working with CIDER, we refine our policies and tap on the models that they develop for us to do trending of diseases.

"It helps us to develop analytical tools for disease surveillance and prediction, and provides the SAF with subject matter expertise on infectious diseases. These translate to better force medical protection for our SAF personnel," he added.

In conjunction with the launch was a series of lectures by local and international experts based on the theme Integrative strategies in infectious disease control and outbreak management.

Among the speakers was Head BDFC Major (MAJ) (Dr) Victor Ho, who also serves as the Operations Manager of CIDER for the SAF. MAJ (Dr) Ho spoke on the SAF's multi-pronged approach in mitigating the impact of acute respiratory illnesses.

More than 100 health-care professionals from Singapore attended the launch and lectures.