Health Systems Strengthening

Clinical

Our focus areas

Enhancing global health systems and services

Our global health systems and services programmes are dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare through evidence-based, interdisciplinary strategies.

By collaborating with local health system stakeholders, we develop and implement innovative solutions that address the specific challenges of communities across Asia and the Pacific.

This includes strengthening the foundations of health systems—such as policy, governance, and human resources—as well as improving clinical services through designing new care models, interdisciplinary training, and enhancing patient care capacity.

These efforts are made possible through the collaboration of our expert teams and leveraging the collective expertise across the SingHealth Duke-NUS ecosystem to ensure a holistic approach to healthcare improvement.

Advancing maternal and child health

In collaboration with the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Global Health Office, our maternal and child health initiatives are designed to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates across Asia.

We develop and implement comprehensive healthcare strategies that span the range of care from complex obstetrics to early childhood development.

These programs focus on interdisciplinary simulation-based training to equip healthcare workers with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality care, ensuring healthier futures for families.

Improving access to surgery

The Global Surgery Programme aims to enhance regional surgical capabilities and improve patient outcomes through capacity strengthening initiatives.

These include surgical skills exchange, training programs, and the establishment of regional networks to facilitate knowledge sharing and transfer.

Our efforts focus on expanding safe and affordable surgical care in resource-limited settings to improve surgical outcomes and contribute to sustainable development in Asia.

Improving access to eye care

The Global Ophthalmology Programme, led by the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC), is committed to combating preventable blindness and visual impairment worldwide.

Leveraging SNEC's expertise, we provide training to local ophthalmologists, develop advanced AI solutions for eye diagnostics, and design community outreach programmes to ensure eye care services are accessible to all.

Our initiatives not only restore sight but also prevent blindness, improving overall well-being and productivity in communities.

Key Programmes

Enhancing cardiac arrest response systems in Cambodia

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in Cambodia, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cardiac arrest care and emergency response systems. Our initiative developed in collaboration with Cambodia's Ministry of Health aims to transform cardiac arrest care throughout the country. We are establishing a national cardiac arrest data registry and standardizing resuscitation and life support training for healthcare workers and students. This holistic approach not only strengthens local healthcare capacity but also aligns with international standards. By integrating seamlessly with Cambodia’s existing healthcare infrastructure and making life support training a staple of medical education, this initiative is set to boost survival rates from cardiac emergencies and could become a blueprint for similar health system enhancements globally.

Strengthening stroke care in Southeast Asia

Stroke is a major health concern across Southeast Asia, driving the need for advanced stroke care and comprehensive emergency response systems. In partnership with the World Stroke Organization, our initiative seeks to elevate stroke care by developing stroke centers to meet international standards. This holistic approach involves enhancing acute care quality, standardizing post-stroke rehabilitation, and establishing a continuum of care that aligns with global best practices. By implementing these improvements within the existing healthcare frameworks of the region and integrating systematic training for healthcare professionals, this initiative is poised to significantly reduce stroke morbidity and mortality, potentially setting a benchmark for stroke care globally.

Asia Health Systems Atlas

The Asia Health Systems Atlas is a comprehensive repository that amalgamates past and current healthcare initiatives across Asia. Designed as a dynamic resource, the Atlas provides in-depth analyses and insights into the health systems of the region from primary and secondary research — identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities. It supports our mission to enhance health care by informing policy decisions, guiding resource allocation, and fostering targeted interventions. This pivotal tool aids in the development of scalable, sustainable health solutions tailored to the specific needs of diverse Asian populations.

Our current projects include:

Early Breast Cancer Diagnosis in Indonesia: An Action-Oriented Landscape Analysis of Experiential and Systemic Responses
Building Allied Health Capacity in Cambodia: A Workforce Projection Study

Get in touch

For more information about our health systems strengthening initiatives or to get involved, please contact us at sdghi@duke-nus.edu.sg.