SingHealth Duke-NUS Unveils Two Centres to Boost Global Health

The SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre has launched two new centres aimed at enhancing global health collaboration and education in the fields of allied health and pharmacy. The announcement, made on November 5, 2025, during the Singapore Allied Health Conference, introduces the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI).

These centres will focus on strengthening healthcare practices across Asia, addressing the rising demand for specialized expertise in response to technological advancements, an ageing population, and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The initiative comes at a time when a younger workforce in the healthcare sector is seeking opportunities for international collaboration and leadership development.

Addressing Health Challenges in Asia

The establishment of these centres reflects a significant step for both SingHealth, Singapore’s largest public health cluster, and Duke-NUS Medical School, a leading graduate-entry institution. Since its founding in 2018, SDGHI has coordinated numerous global health initiatives. The launch of these centres reinforces the commitment of both organizations to advance health equity and collaborative healthcare solutions.

“Many healthcare challenges, such as an ageing population and rising costs, are common globally. There is great opportunity for us to work together to develop timely and impactful global health solutions,” stated Professor Ng Wai Hoe, Group Chief Executive Officer of SingHealth. He emphasized the importance of the new centres as a way to enhance collaboration with global health partners.

Building on a Legacy of Collaboration

Both centres draw on a rich legacy of over 120 global health projects led by SingHealth and Duke-NUS partners. Notable initiatives include an Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme in Cambodia, launched in 2017, in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. This programme aims to improve appropriate antibiotic use and combat drug resistance.

Additional collaborative efforts span across Southeast Asia, including the Physiotherapy Bachelor’s Programme Upgrade in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2012–2019), and the Occupational Therapy programme for children with special needs in Jakarta, Indonesia, which runs until 2025. These initiatives have collectively trained hundreds of healthcare practitioners and educators, enhancing allied health education in the region.

The new centres will serve as platforms for advancing allied health and pharmacy through leadership training and mentorship, promoting inter-professional collaboration to maximize resources and improve healthcare delivery. They aim to inspire professionals to contribute actively to global health efforts.

“Healthcare challenges today are increasingly complex and interconnected,” said Professor London Lucien Ooi, Director of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute. “These exchanges not only advance health equity worldwide but also bring valuable insights back to Singapore, ultimately improving care for all.”

The two centres are set to roll out initiatives in the coming months, beginning with the creation of comprehensive global allied health and pharmacy databases. These resources will connect funders, host countries, and projects, while dedicated capacity-building programmes will train the next generation of leaders in these fields.

For further information on the developments at the new centres, interested parties can visit the respective webpages for the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy.

With these advancements, SingHealth and Duke-NUS are positioning themselves at the forefront of healthcare innovation, ready to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving health landscape.