Students pursuing the double degree programme in biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) will soon get to apply what they learn at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital (KWSH).

NTU Singapore and KWSH are launching a new internship programme and will also set up an exchange programme for physicians at both institutions.

These initiatives support the government’s efforts to develop the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry which is expected to play an increasingly important role as Singapore’s population ages. In 2017, the government invested S$10 million to support the modernisation of the industry.

A five-year agreement was inked recently at a graduation session held for graduands from the NTU biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine double degree programme by Dr Ow Chee Chung, CEO, KWSH and Prof Lars Nordenskiöld, Chair, NTU School of Biological Sciences.

Beyond the agreement, KWSH will unveil a new residency programme for fresh NTU graduate physicians at the end of the year – a first by the Hospital. Trainees will be supervised by KWSH’s senior TCM physicians for a period of two to three years.

Under the internship programme, undergraduates enrolled in NTU’s double degree programme in biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine will train in the outpatient setting, which includes day care and community services, and in inpatient care. The double degree programme is offered in conjunction with the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine.