TriMedSoc Alliance renews collaboration, uniting Singapore medical students

The alliance of Singapore’s three medical schools represents the voice of the local medical student community through ongoing dialogue and collaboration with external stakeholders, including the Singapore Medical Association and Ministry of Health.

Student bodies from Singapore’s three medical schools renewed their partnership on 17 August 2024, three years after the TriMedSoc Alliance was first established. The alliance unifies Singapore’s medical student community, enhancing cooperation and advocacy through a formal platform for collective action.

The presidents of the three medical societies pose for a photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to renew the Alliance and reiterating their intention to collaborate closely, together with the signatories of the first MoU signed virtually in 2021 // Credit: Courtesy of TriMedSoc Alliance

Comprising elected Student Council and Medical Society members from the National University Singapore (NUS) Medical Society, Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) Students’ Medical Society and the Duke-NUS Student Council, the Alliance serves as the sole unified voice for medical students in Singapore, engaging in policy discussions and decision-making processes with school administrations. 

Mr Lim Rong, Chairperson of the 3rd TriMedSoc Alliance and 11th President of the LKCMedicine Students’ Medical Society, described the Alliance’s impact in solidifying close ties between the student bodies, as well as formalising a commitment to collaboration:

“The TriMedSoc Alliance has provided the three medical schools with a platform for closer collaboration. Over the past year, we have worked closely to represent the interests of medical students in Singapore to external stakeholders, and support events that foster learning and collaboration across the medical schools.”

The agreement aims to develop programmes supporting the holistic development of medical students in Singapore, while also bolstering student-led initiatives in the wider community. A major development in this renewal is the formation of an advisory board, comprising senior doctors, administrators and faculty from all three schools. The board, selected for their depth and breadth of expertise in local medical education and healthcare, will provide valuable long-term continuity and guidance for the Alliance.

Dr Chen Qin Ting (purple lanyard), Associate Chief Resident, National Healthcare Group (NHG) Internal Medicine Residency Programme, teaches participants how to perform a lumbar puncture on a task trainer as part of a TriMedSoc Alliance workshop for Track I: Internal Medicine // Credit: Courtesy of TriMedSoc Alliance

The MoU Renewal Ceremony, held during the Opening Ceremony of the National Medical Students’ Convention 2024, was witnessed by Guests-of-Honour from the three schools, including Associate Professor Shiva Sarraf-Yazdi, Vice-Dean of Education at Duke-NUS, as well as Professor Benjamin Ong, Chairman of the Health Sciences Authority.

Since their inception, these student bodies have remained steadfast in their service, actively contributing to various initiatives in the fields of arts and culture, and sports. Noteworthy examples include the annual “Peanut Butter and Jam” talent showcase by LKCMedicine Students’ Medical Society, as well as the Duke-NUS-led inter-school sporting event, the University Healthcare Games, first held in 2022. Other more academic and research-based initiatives include NUS Medical Society’s career symposium.

Complementing these activities are student-led community service projects, which uphold the spirit of generosity embodied by generations of doctors through organising community health screening initiatives both locally and overseas. For instance, the annual Camp SIMBA, jointly held between the three medical schools, aims to provide a space for the emotional needs of children with cancer. In addition, Duke-NUS Student Council-organises “Healthy to Thrive” in collaboration with My Brother SG, which started in 2023, under which students have served 300 migrant workers by providing health screenings and medical counselling—and the Blood Donation Drive, an annual call for blood donations held in conjunction with the Health Sciences Authority to support collecting blood for medical and research use.

Part of medical students’ guided training is a masterclass organised by the TriMedSoc Alliance, where participants of Track I: Internal Medicine practice performing a lumbar puncture on task trainers // Credit: Courtesy of TriMedSoc Alliance

Mr John Joson Ng, President of the 16th Duke-NUS Student Council and Chairperson of the 2nd TriMedSoc Alliance, hopes that the TriMedSoc MoU’s renewal will catalyse further opportunities for interaction:

“We are witnessing a growing trend of close collaboration between the student bodies of the three medical schools, not only in academic student interest groups (SIGs) but also through joint community service initiatives and advocacy efforts.”

With the renewed MoU, the Alliance aims to strengthen its commitment to representing medical students and enhancing community bonds. Through engaging with key stakeholders, including medical schools, the Designated Institutional Officials of the three healthcare clusters and the Ministry of Health, the TriMedSoc Alliance will continue to address critical issues such as school learning facilities, financing medical education and clinical rotation experiences. Notably, the annual flagship event, the National Medical Students’ Convention, remains a highlight in the roster of activities organised to foster a close-knit community of local medical students.

Mr Aravind Madabhushi, President of the 75th NUS Medical Society, emphasised:

“The Convention offers a platform for our student members to experience the broader landscapes of medicine, beyond what we see in our lessons and clinical postings. We hope our participants will get a better idea of what awaits them after graduation, and in so doing,  work towards developing their extracurricular interests and experiences.”

Dr Yap Hong Wan from the College of Radiologists, Singapore, demonstrates the use of ultrasound to visualise key organs and structures in the abdomen as part of a workshop for the Track C Radiology Masterclass // Credit: Courtesy of TriMedSoc Alliance

The 2024 Convention, which was held over two days, was the largest yet, boasting 40 expert speakers and around 170 medical students. This year’s event also featured an expanded programme of workshops catering to diverse healthcare interests, with a central theme of exposing students to various career tracks and inculcating a spirit of lifelong learning.

In his opening remarks at the Convention, Prof Ong underscored the importance of the Alliance’s spirit of service:

“A career in medicine should not be thought of as a job or a means to advance yourself materially, academically or professionally. It is best thought of as a lifelong journey of discovery and learning, a means to be of service to others in whatever role or combination of roles the needs of our people lead you to take on. I would savour every part of this lifelong experience, as likely none of it will be a waste of time if we seek to benefit patients, the public and each other.”