Southeast Asia Launches New Healthcare Simulation Certifications

The first healthcare simulation certification programmes tailored for Southeast Asian professionals were launched during the S3 Conference 2025 in Singapore on November 6, 2025. These programmes, known as the Certified Educator in Healthcare Simulation (CEHS) and the Certified Technologist in Healthcare Simulation (CTHS), aim to enhance training standards for healthcare providers across the region.

Attended by Mr. Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, the launch addresses critical gaps in the professional development of healthcare simulation professionals in Southeast Asia. Current international certifications, largely based on American frameworks, have shown low pass rates for regional participants, with only 14.6% and 15% success rates for the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist programmes, respectively.

The CEHS and CTHS programmes are designed to provide rigorous training that is contextually relevant to Southeast Asian healthcare environments. This new approach includes content that reflects local practices, schedules accommodating Southeast Asian time zones, and lower costs compared to existing international certifications. Both programmes aim to begin training by the end of 2026, with a target of 50 participants in the first year, and plans to expand intake over five years to meet increasing demand.

Benefits of the New Certification Programmes

Professor Lim Soon Thye, Deputy Group CEO (Research, Education & Innovation) at SingHealth, highlighted the importance of healthcare simulation in training for various clinical conditions. He stated, “Healthcare simulation has become an essential aspect of training… I am confident that the new CEHS and CTHS programmes will support the growth of the use of healthcare simulation in medical education in Singapore and the region.”

The CEHS and CTHS programmes were developed through collaboration with the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Medical Simulation, the Pan Asia Simulation Society in Healthcare, and the Malaysian Society for Simulation in Healthcare. They aim to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing the integration of simulation into medical education.

About the S3 Conference 2025

The S3 Conference, hosted by the SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Medical Simulation and co-organized with the Society for Simulation in Europe and the Gathering of Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialists, took place from November 5 to 7 at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium in Singapore. This significant event brought together experts to discuss advancements in healthcare simulation, aiming to elevate training standards and patient care across the region.

For further information about the certification programmes and the conference, visit the SingHealth Duke-NUS website.