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Co-operation in health sector: MoU signed with Singapore

ISLAMABAD: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday between the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSPs) and KK Women's and Children's Hospital Singapore to promote development of high-standard medical education, research and medical practice.

Pakistan High Commissioner to Singapore Toheed Ahmad signed the MOU on behalf of the college, whereas Medical Board Chairman Prof Chen Heng Kock signed on behalf of the hospital, says a message received here.

The High Commissioner highlighted the significance of the MOU in promoting cooperation between Pakistan and Singapore in the field of medicine.

The agreement was finalised by the two sides in a short period. This was the first institutional linkage established by the CPSP in Southeast Asia, he observed.

He said, "traditionally our doctors were having advance training from the western countries but after signing this MOU, we hope to benefit from Singapore's world class excellence in health care".

Medical Board chairman, in his address said the MOU is a small step towards achieving the goal for mutually beneficial cooperation between KK Hospital and the CPSPs.

He expressed the hope that doctors of both the countries will learn from each others experience and gain greater exposure.

Both sides shall encourage and seek to facilitate one or more fellowships each year for postgraduate training in any of the various disciplines.

Besides visits of experts shall be arranged to participate in clinical updates, consultations, development of education programmes, demonstration of skills, wards rounds and clinics.

The new first integrated KK Women's and Children's Hospital in Singapore, was completed in 1997. The hospital the constructed at the cost of Sing $390 million, has 898, beds and 24 wards. However, its history traces back to 1924, when the former Kandang Kebau Hospital began its operation as the only medical facility in Singapore to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Neonatology.

The old hospital earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world's largest number of babies, delivered in a single maternity hospital, i.e. 39,835. In 1983, it witnessed the delivery of the first-test tube baby in Asia.

The hospital has played a pivotal role in the training of obstetricians and gynaecologists in Singapore and the Southeast Asian region."ÑAPP