SingHealth Duke-NUS Establishes New Global Health Centres

The SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre has unveiled two new health centres aimed at enhancing allied health and pharmacy practices across Asia. Announced on November 5, 2025, during the Singapore Allied Health Conference 2025, the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy will operate under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute (SDGHI). This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening health collaboration and capacity building in the region.

The launch of these centres responds to an urgent need for specialised healthcare expertise. With Asia experiencing rapid technological advancements, an ageing population, and a rise in chronic diseases, the demand for trained professionals in allied health and pharmacy is increasing. Additionally, a younger healthcare workforce is seeking opportunities for international collaboration and leadership development, making the establishment of these centres particularly timely.

Advancing Health Equity Through Collaboration

The new centres build on a long-standing commitment to global health shared by SingHealth, Singapore’s largest public health cluster, and Duke-NUS Medical School, the nation’s premier graduate-entry medical institution. Since the inception of SDGHI in 2018, these institutions have coordinated numerous health initiatives, including a Centre for Global Nursing launched in July 2024, which has achieved notable success.

The Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy will leverage over 120 global health projects led by SingHealth and Duke-NUS partners. Noteworthy initiatives include an ongoing Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme in Cambodia, executed in partnership with Singapore General Hospital and the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health since 2017. Additional collaborative projects with the Singapore International Foundation have enhanced allied health education across Southeast Asia, training hundreds of healthcare practitioners and educators.

These new centres will focus on leadership, training, and mentorship, fostering inter-professional collaboration. By doing so, they aim to inspire health professionals to take on greater roles in global health and demonstrate their critical contributions to advancing health equity.

Professor Ng Wai Hoe, Group Chief Executive Officer of SingHealth, emphasized the global nature of contemporary healthcare challenges. “Many of the healthcare challenges such as an ageing population and rising costs are common across the world; hence there is great opportunity for us to work together to develop timely and impactful global health solutions,” he stated.

Immediate Initiatives for Lasting Impact

The two centres are set to make an immediate impact with a series of initiatives scheduled to launch in the coming months. This rollout will start with the creation of comprehensive global databases for allied health and pharmacy, serving as essential resources for connecting funders, host countries, and projects.

These databases will be complemented by capacity-building programmes aimed at training and mentoring the next generation of leaders in these fields. To create a supportive community, the centres will also host webinars and briefings designed to engage stakeholders and empower advocates for these critical healthcare initiatives.

Professor London Lucien Ooi, Director of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary and global solutions in addressing complex healthcare challenges. He noted that the centres will enhance networks across borders to share knowledge and build capacity, ultimately benefiting health systems worldwide.

The establishment of the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy showcases a strong commitment to advancing healthcare in Singapore and beyond. This initiative not only aims to improve health outcomes but also reinforces the collaborative spirit essential for tackling global health issues. For further details on these developments, interested parties can visit the respective webpages of the Centre for Global Allied Health and the Centre for Global Pharmacy.