Research integrating Western medicine and TCM gets boost under new collaboration

Research integrating Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is set to gain momentum following a new collaboration between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and healthcare provider OUE Healthcare (OUEH). The partnership, signed on August 17 at NTU’s Nanyang Lake Pavilion, marks a significant step toward advancing integrative medicine in Singapore. The collaboration focuses on sleep disorders, chronic diseases, and women’s health, aiming to develop structured clinical pathways and translate research findings into practical care models within OUEH’s network of integrative clinics. OUEH, through its affiliated company Healthway Medical, currently operates two clinics in Hougang and Aljunied that offer an integrative medicine approach combining Western and TCM treatments. Plans are underway to expand this model with additional clinics in the coming months. The partnership will also facilitate joint scientific research projects, scholarly publications, and specialized clinical training for TCM practitioners. These professionals will have opportunities to attend international healthcare conferences, seminars, and academic workshops, enhancing their exposure and expertise. The collaboration aligns with the Singapore Health Ministry’s ongoing exploration of incorporating TCM into the nation’s preventive health initiative, Healthier SG. Linda Zhong, director of biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine at NTU’s School of Biological Sciences, emphasized the value of merging NTU’s strengths in biomedical sciences and Chinese medicine with OUEH’s clinical insights. This synergy, she explained, ensures that research directly addresses clinical challenges while contributing to improved patient care and the broader adoption of integrative medicine. NTU has recently introduced a master’s degree program in Chinese medicine, set to begin in 2026, making it the first postgraduate program of its kind offered by a local university. This educational initiative underscores the institution’s commitment to cultivating experts in the field and supporting the integration of traditional and modern medical practices. In addition to the research collaboration, the event marked the launch of the Stephen Riady Professorship in Healthcare and Technology, funded with a $3 million endowment from OUE, the parent company of OUEH. The professorship aims to drive interdisciplinary research focused on personalized, preventive, and technology-enabled healthcare. It will span fields such as biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and wearable sensors, reflecting a forward-looking vision for the future of medical innovation. Christian Wolfrum, NTU’s deputy president and provost, serves as the inaugural holder of the professorship. A leading figure in metabolic research and executive chairman of AI Singapore, he highlighted the importance of bridging technology, medicine, and clinical practice to deliver holistic patient care. Stephen Riady, OUE’s executive chairman and group CEO, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to integrate modern and traditional medicine to shape a more comprehensive healthcare landscape. NTU president Ho Teck Hua underscored the transformative potential of interdisciplinary collaboration, stating that breaking down barriers between different fields and investing in top-tier talent could enable Singaporeans to live not only longer but better. The university expressed confidence that these partnerships would serve as catalysts for meaningful progress in healthcare delivery and research.