Tag: NUH

Innovative Partnership Between ITE, NUS And NUH Is About To Change How Kidney Stones Are Being Removed

A team of staff from ITE has successfully created a solution to simplify percutaneous-nephrolithotomy (PCNL), which is the complicated process of removing large or complex kidney stones. The Percutaneous-Access-to-Kidney-Assist Device (PAKAD) is made possible through ITE’s collaboration with the National University Hospital (NUH), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Invivo Medical Pte Ltd.

Innovation to Make Complex Procedure Simpler, Shorter and Safer

PCNL is a complicated surgery technique that is usually carried out by senior surgeons. Traditionally, PCNL surgeons refer to x-ray imaging of the patient’s kidney to locate the stone(s), before inserting a long and hollow needle through the skin to reach the stone(s). An endoscope surgical instrument is then inserted through the aid of the needle passage to fragment and remove the stone(s). This is complex, as the surgeon has to use free-hand techniques to locate the stone(s) in a three-dimensional environment, while referring to a two-dimensional image. At times, several attempts may be required, which lengthens the patient’s exposure to x-ray radiation and recovery period.

The PAKAD incorporates precision engineering mechanisms to systematically adjust, guide and stabilize the needle into alignment with the targeted stone(s). Through successful trials on animals at NUH, the PAKAD has proven that it can simplify and shorten the PCNL process, hence reducing x-ray exposure, risks of complications, and recovery periods. With the PAKAD, the junior surgeons can also perform the needle insertion PCNL procedure

Multiple Parties Make Innovation Possible

ITE’s team’s research efforts were strengthened through the domain expertise of NUH and NUS. Through Invivo Medical, the device will be commercialized and a licensing agreement was signed among ITE, NUH, NUS and Invivo Medical. The team received financial support for the Applied Research through the MOE Innovation Fund, the NRF Proof-of-Concept grant, and the MOE Translational R&D and Innovation Fund.

Work on the PAKAD started in 2011. After the PAKAD was developed and a patent application was filed, the PAKAD was first showcased at a major event at TechInnovation 2013, as part of the Singapore start-up ecosystem. At the event, PAKAD was matched with an investor, who is now bringing the device to market through Invivo Medical. Over the next five years, the sales of the device is projected to hit S$25 million.

The contributions by various parties have made it possible for the innovation to benefit patients. The research team will complete clinical trials before obtaining regulatory approvals. PAKAD is expected to reach the market by the end of 2018.

“This is an excellent example of an industry-institution partnership to develop innovative and integrated solutions to improve productivity and processes. We are grateful to NUH, NUS and Invivo Medical, to enable ITE to create and patent the Percutaneous Access to Kidney Assist Device (PAKAD) for safe kidney surgery,” said Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO, ITE.

“The new technology allows for better precision during surgery and enhances patient safety and outcome. It expands on NUH’s track record of partnerships for clinical innovation and development that help raise the standard of clinical care. We look forward to more of these collaborations to bring about greater tangible benefits for our patients,” Prof Kesavan Esuvaranathan, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Urology, National University Hospital.

“NUS is delighted to have been part of this multi-party collaboration. Researchers from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine provided medical expertise, which ITE used to enhance the PAKAD. Realising the strong potential for this technology to improve clinical procedures and healthcare for kidney stone patients, the NUS Industry Liaison Office took the lead in the commercialization process, including managing negotiations for this multi-party licensing agreement. Our endeavor to bring innovative technologies closer to market is made possible with great partners who have similar goals,” said Mr Sean Flanigan, Director of NUS Industry Liaison Office.

“The new medical-device is the world’s first operational Percutaneous Access to Kidney Assist Device (PAKAD). It is the result of a successful collaboration by three institutions and the industry and made possible by a match-up at TechInnovation 2013. Beyond this, we plan to do continual product development to apply the invention to more minimally-invasive surgical and biopsy procedures,” said Dr Joseph Chai, Managing Director / Director, Invivo Medical Pte Ltd.

Source: https://biotechin.asia

September 19, 2017
Fund Raising For Ahmad Fahrin’s Medical Treatment In Taiwan

If any of you would like to help, please go to https://give.asia/story/help_fund_for_fahrins_treatment_in_taiwan.

***

I am Dalilah Hani, wife of Ahmad Fahrin. We are raising funds for Fahrin to receive medical treatment in Taiwan for a spinal cord regeneration treatment at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. 3 years ago, on the 11th of August, my husband Fahrin, met with a road traffic accident while on his way home from work. The motorcycle he was riding was part of a chain collision on the Pan-Island Expressway. He collided with a car and was flung from his bike, landing on the hood of the car. As a result, he sustained a traumatic brain injury and spinal injury that left him paralysed from neck down.

At the point of the accident, we had just received the keys to our own home and I had just given birth to a 3-month old baby girl. We were just building our lives. We had loads of plans and dreams that got shattered in a blink of an eye. He wasn’t able to hold our daughter and missed out on alot of her milestones due to his long stay in the hospital. And due to the injuries, he has been certified permanently incapacitated to work leaving me as the sole breadwinner.

When Fahrin was brought to the Accident & Emergency department at National University Hospital, doctors had to perform an emergency operation and had prepared us for the worst. They predicted only a 15% chance of survival. But we took any chance we had and by God’s will he made it through. And for that, we are utterly thankful. But his road to recovery was a long and rocky one with multiple surgeries that followed to help him to stabilise. Since the accident, he depends fully on the motorized wheelchair for mobility and needs help to perform activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, transferring and toileting.

He spent approximately 12 months away from home comprising of about 2 weeks in Intensive Care Unit, 2 months in High Dependency ward and 4 months in a regular ward before being transferred out to a rehabilitation hospital where he was for about 6 months. But even then he was not spared from hospital stays as he still needed to be warded for subsequent seizures, urine infection as well as for pain management.

His main Consultant who has been giving us advice has high hopes in his recovery. However, he feels that Fahrin has not benefited much from the treatment here. We were informed that he might benefit from a spinal cord regeneration procedure (currently a study) in Taiwan. The estimated amount needed for his treatment in Taiwan is around SGD45,000 which is not covered under our insurance. Your kind donations will go towards Fahrin’s cost of treatment as well as for daily expenses and accommodation in Taiwan. We seek your kind donations and prayers to help ease our journey to recovery, God-willing. And may God bless all of you for your kind help and donations.

Source: Give.Asia

August 29, 2017
Pelawak Alias Kadir Sedang Sakit Di Hospital, Dua Jari Kaki Terpaksa Dipotong

Alias Kadir, pelawak dan penghibur Singapura yang malar segar dan ikonik, sudah seminggu dirawat di Hospital Universiti Nasional (NUH). Beliau kini masih berada di NUH kerana bahagian jari kakinya luka, bernanah dan berair akibat penyakit kencing manis. Alias juga mungkin memerlukan bantuan kewangan bagi rawatannya.

BERITAMediacorp diberitahu, atas nasihat doktor yang merawatnya, dua jari di kaki kirinya perlu dan sudahpun dipotong kerana jangkitan yang teruk.

Semasa pihak kami melawatnya pada Sabtu (15 April), Alias Kadir dilihat masih lagi kelihatan ceria dan tersenyum ketika menyambut kedatangan wartawan BERITAMediacorp dan beliau sempat berjenaka ketika diajukan beberapa soalan tentang kesihatannya.

Apa yang hakikatnya sedang berbuku dalam hatinya lantaran penyakitnya itu, hanya beliau seorang yang tahu. Namun itulah jiwa seorang penghibur sejati. Sentiasa menghiburkan orang lain. Maka tidak hairanlah, beliau cukup menarik perhatian sehingga kanak-kanak kecil berusia semuda lima tahun pun kenal soap dia Alias Kadir.

MENYAYAT HATI: ALIAS KADIR DALAM KEADAAN ‘BUTA’ TETAP HIBURKAN PEMINAT

Bagaimanapun semasa diwawancara tentang keadaan kesihatannya, Alias Kadir menceritakan perkara ini dengan nada serius.

Menurut pelawak yang bakal berusia 54 tahun pada Jun nanti, ketika membuat pementasan komedi Geng Pecah Perut Kembali pada bulan lalu, beliau tidak nampak atau dapat melihat dengan jelas. Hanya samar-samar, umpama “buta” katanya, ketika beraksi di pentas!

“Mungkin kerana penyakit kencing manis ini, penglihatan saya semakin teruk walaupun telah menjalani pembedahan katarak lebih empat bulan yang lalu. Saya rasakan seperti orang buta beraksi di atas pentas pada bulan lalu. Hanya cahaya samar-samar sahaja yang saya dapat lihat, dan perlu dipimpin lagi untuk berjalan.

“Namun, Alhamdulliah saya masih lagi boleh beraksi dan membuat para penonton gembira dengan persembahan kami semua. Kerja mesti jalan terus, itu amanah yang telah diberikan untuk saya.”

Demikian luahan kata-kata seorang yang layak dijunjung sebagai penuh professional dan berdedikasi. Jika ini terjadi ke atas kebanyakan orang lain, mereka mungkin akan membatalkan sahaja peranan mereka dalam pementasan tersebut. Bagaimanapun, terbukti tidak begitu bagi Alias Kadir, yang nama sebenarnya ialah Mohd Osman Ahmad.

ALIAS: REDA, “BERUNTUNG KERANA MASIH LAGI BERNYAWA”

“Merasakan kesihatan makin terjejas dan teruk, dan saya pun segera mendapatkan rawatan. Atas nasihat Dr Aziz yang merawat saya di NUH, dua jari di kaki kiri perlu dipotong untuk mengelakkan jangkitan yang lebih parah lagi.

“Sebelum ini, jari di kaki kiri memang bengkak, bernanah dan berair. Walau apapun saya reda dengan ketentuan ini, dan merasakan diri saya masih lagi beruntung kerana masih lagi bernyawa. Dan setidaknya pun, kaki saya tidak kudung. Hanya dua jari sahaja yang hilang,” kongsi Alias kepada BERITAMediacorp penuh semangat. Sememangnya, semangatnya itu patut dijadikan teladan.

Menurut bapa kepada lapan orang anak dan 10 cucu ini lagi, segala kos rawatannya di hospital belum diketahui jumlahnya, kerana satu lagi pembedahan Angioplasty bakal dilakukan ke atas kakinya pada 19 April nanti, di hospital yang sama. Ini bertujuan memudahkan dan mempercepatkan pemulihan dua jari kaki kirinya yang dipotong itu.

ALIAS KADIR PERLUKAN BANTUAN

“Saya jangkakan segala rawatan dan pembedahan mungkin memakan ribuan dolar. Saya tidak mempunyai kecukupan wang, baik di CPF atau Medisave juga. Saya mengharapkan bantuan ihsan dari Pekerja Sosial Perubatan di NUH untuk membantu dan melunaskan segala kos dan bayaran yang perlu dilangsaikan.

“Saya berharap pihak hospital dan pekerja sosial di NUH dapat membantu saya untuk meringankan beban, dan semua pembayaran rawatan saya di hospital ini dapat diselesaikan dengan baik. Maklumlah saya berkarya mengikut projek dan pendapatan tidak menentu. Saya amat berharap moga selepas berehat seketika nanti, ada lagi tawaran untuk saya berkarya.

“Saya ingin ‘all out’ (sepenuh hati) menghiburkan para peminat dan penonton yang banyak menyokong kerjaya seni saya selama ini. Ini juga mata pencarian utama saya. Jadi jangan risau, saya masih boleh bekerja, berkarya dan akan terus menghiburkan dan menghangatkan areana seni di Singapura, Insya Allah,” jelasnya dengan penuh kesungguhan dari katil hospital.

Alias Kadir juga amat bersyukur kerana selain anggota keluarga, ramai lagi rakan-rakan artis dan para peminat datang melawatnya di wad 54, NUH. Beliau dijangka akan terus mendapat rawatan lanjutan di hospital sehingga akhir minggu hadapan.

FALSAFAH DAN ‘SEDEKAH’ ALIAS KADIR UNTUK ORANG RAMAI

Apabila ditanya kenapa beliau masih lagi nampak gembira dan terus tersenyum, walaupun semasa dirawat di hospital? Alias dengan yakin menjawab bahawasanya dirinya mesti tetap terus bersyukur kerana, banyak lagi orang lain yang menderita dan mempunyai penyakit yang lebih kronik daripada diri beliau.

“Saya tetap bersyukur kerana diri saya masih tidak seteruk orang lain. Ada yang lebih kronik dari saya. Walaupun saya mempunyai masalah kesihatan lain seperti darah tinggi, kolesterol tinggi dan sakit buah pinggang yang ‘mild’ (ringan) saya mesti tetap bersyukur pada Allah. Saya juga bersyukur kerana walaupun berkeadaan tidak begitu sihat, tapi saya masih berupaya untuk menggembirakan orang lain, dan membuat mereka tersenyum melihat lakonan dan jenaka saya.

“Saya percaya, tiga amalan yang tidak terputus pahalanya, iaitu bersedekah, ilmu yang bermanfaat dan doa anak soleh. Bersedekah bukan hanya wang ringgit dan harta benda. Tetapi memberikan senyuman dan membuat orang lain tersenyum dan juga gembira, juga satu sedekah, dan pasti mendapat ganjaran dariNya juga,” cerita Alias kepada BERITAMediacorp dengan penuh berfalsafah dan terasa keikhlasannya.

Beliau juga berharap para peminat dapat terus mendoakan kesihatannya untuk beliau kembali mewarnai dunia komedi tanah air Singapura ini.

Pelawak Alias Kadir, yang pernah memenangi Anugerah Pelakon Komedi Terbaik Pesta Perdana pada tahun, 2000, 2001 dan 2002, mungkin sedang sakit di hospital. Yang pasti, keinginannya untuk menggeletek anda hari ini dan hari esok, tidak pernah terusik.

Rilek1Corner

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

April 17, 2017
Miracle Baby: Cancer Survivor Conceives And Gives Birth To Healthy Baby

She may be the first Singaporean to undergo a ground-breaking medical procedure called ovarian tissue cryopreservation.

But all Madam Siti Nurjannah Sapiee, 32, is grateful for is that it enabled her to be a mother.

Her journey to motherhood began with a devastating roadblock.

Just three months before her planned wedding, in November 2009, Madam Siti, who was then 26, was shaken by two diagnoses – cancer and infertility.

The former primary school teacher was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma of the thigh, a rare cancer of the soft tissues that typically occurs near the large joints of the arms or legs.

INFERTILITY

To make matters worse, she was told that chemotherapy might render her infertile.

Madam Siti, who is now a housewife, said: “The most heartbreaking thing to me was remembering that my fiance wanted three kids and I felt I couldn’t give him what he wanted.”

So she postponed her wedding to November 2010 and focused on battling her illness to pursue her chances of having children.

Madam Siti was referred to Dr Anupriya Agarwal, a consultant at the National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, by her oncologist, Dr Andrea Wong.

Before the start of her cancer treatment, the doctors discussed how to sustain her fertility.

They suggested ovarian tissue cryopreservation, a procedure that involves the removal of ovarian tissue from Madam Siti’s body and keeping it in frozen storage until after her recovery.

In-vitro fertilisation, an alternative procedure, was not an option as Madam Siti was engaged, but not married at that time.

“You don’t know how much you want a baby until somebody tells you that you can’t have one,” she said tearfully.

In December 2009, Madam Siti underwent the ovarian tissue cryopreservation procedure, which cost $5,000. Soon after, she underwent chemotherapy.

About three years later, in March 2013, Madam Siti was confirmed to be cancer-free and was ready for the ovarian tissue to be reimplanted into her body.

EXTREMELY CONCERNED

Her husband, Mr Raihan Haji Rajin, 32, told The New Paper that he was still extremely concerned.

“Even though she was cancer-free, I didn’t want her to neglect her health just so that she could conceive my child. I wanted her to raise it with me,” said the primary school teacher.

Madam Siti’s menstrual cycle returned three months after the ovarian tissue was reimplanted.

Over a year later, in October 2014, the moment she had been dreaming of finally came.

Mr Raihan said: “She woke me up one morning and showed me a pregnancy test that showed a positive result. I told her to try two more times and all three tests were positive.

“At that time, she was already excited, but I didn’t want to raise our hopes, to be disappointed in the end. That’s why I was still quite hesitant and wanted to wait until we received confirmation from a doctor.”

Madam Siti said it was not until the third month of her pregnancy, when the gynaecologist showed them a sonogram of their baby, that she and her husband really believed they would be having a child.

She recalled having an easy pregnancy. Once, she had a craving for belacan that could be bought only in Malacca.

“The funny thing is I didn’t even want to eat it, I just wanted to smell it,” she said with a chuckle.

On May 21 this year, Madam Siti gave birth to Nur Hannah A’qiylah.

Weighing 2.7kg at birth, baby Hannah is reportedly one of only 21 babies worldwide who was conceived naturally following ovarian tissue cryopreservation, according to NUH.

Her birth is reportedly the first in Asia.

Madam Siti said: “If I could advise anyone who is going through the same thing I did, I would tell them to have faith and not give up. Hannah is proof that miracles still exist in this world.”

She now faces a time limit: Her reimplanted ovaries are viable for only five years. Otherwise, she will have to go through the entire procedure all over again.

She said: “I am very happy and contented right now. But I hope to try again for another child in the next five years.”

You don’t know how much you want a baby until somebody tells you that you can’t have one.

– Madam Siti Nurjannah Sapiee

OVARIAN TISSUE HARVESTED & FROZEN

HAPPY MUM: Madam Siti hopes to try for another child as her reimplanted ovaries are viable for only five years.

Soon after her cancer treatment, Madam Siti Nurjannah Sapiee was also put on hormone replacement therapy to ease the effect of premature menopause, which had been brought about by the temporary removal of her ovarian tissue.

In the ovarian tissue cryopreservation procedure, doctors harvested tissue that stores the eggs from both of Madam Siti’s ovaries.

A special freezing technique was used to preserve that portion of tissue, also known as the cortex.

Ms Joyce Mathew, chief embryologist in NUH’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, said: “The most crucial part of the freezing procedure in the laboratory was to ensure that there would be no freeze damage to the egg cells in the cortical tissue.”

By March 2013, Madam Siti had recovered from cancer and was ready to have children.

The frozen tissue was thawed and rinsed with a special thawing solution, then reimplanted into her body via a mini laparotomy.

The surgical procedure involves making a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity and it was done with the use of extremely fine sutures.

Source: www.tnp.sg

December 14, 2015
Amboi Susan Mariam: NUH Doctors Unprofessional And Heartless In Treating My Father, Nurses Were Apologetic

Pls Share!!!

My Dad was having “SHINGLES”. As in the beginning

Which my family and I brought him to “NUH” Emergency. At about 7.18pm and make a payment of $108.00. And he also have fever..

Wait for the Q number, after which the nurse mentioned have to isolate my dad.

A few hours later, he is admitted to Ward 61 Bed 9. He was craving for roti parta… Which I get for him… When I reach to the ward.. I was greet by a malay care taker(Malay man) he show us the room which my dad was isolated.. At that time my dad was in the toilet. While waiting the nurse who is a foreigner from China.. Explain to us the procedure to meet my dad in the room.. And also ask some questions.. She was nice and friendly..

After which, we when to the room.. To meet my dad as he is hungry.. After 10 mins a night shift doctor namely DR Julian loi came and ask the normal questions and ask us to leave the room as he would like to speak privately with my dad.

While talking another doctor came by which she is sighing away.. Wash her hands.. Not happy looks.. Her name is DR Tay Yi Hang.. She go in to the room and speak to my father..

5 mins later, both came out.. Remove their gloves and wash their hands.. And are away from us about 5 to 10 steps away.. As we keep on standing directly outside my dad isolation room from the beginning..

So I ask both of them.. Do you have anything to explain to us? As we need to explain about my dad conditions. She gave a look.. And a hand signal.. Wait…

So we keep on looking at them for few mins.. And we ask again, and told them.. Is already very late.. And we would not want to wake the other patients up.. So we can leave and visit him again.

Again ask to wait, will a roll eyes.. I was thinking to myself.. What’s wrong with this doctors.. Thru out, was having a very bad attitude.. Rude.. Showing a unpleasant face.. With a look… Hmmmm…

Again I ask them with a little high tone, so they quickly came over. So I explain my dad conditions.. And ask them, do you have anything for us to know about my dad.. Again, I am not a doctor.. They are.. They should explain to us… But they said, there’s nothing for us to tell you.. And walk away just like that.. I was pissed with their behavior…

So I when back to my dad room which in the isolation room.. And told my dad, we have to leave and not to worry.. We will come back tomorrow.. My dad was tearing and he look stress.. I ask him.. ” ok dad, we going off” he said” the guy doctor said I got HIV” I told him wat?? Why they didn’t explain to us??

So I came out from the room and look for the doctor and ask them why u do not explain to us.. And how come you told my dad he is having HIV???

So he explain, he was telling my dad.. Maybe he would have.. So I ask him.. Which is which.. As a doctor, you should not said that.. You should check his blood test first.. Not just said you have or maybe you have..

So I told them, is better for you to explain.. Both of them came in to my dad room.. I told them.. You should explain to ur patients properly and tactfully.. If the patient don’t understand get a Malay nurse or caregiver to explain or one of the family members whom is there at the moment.

So the doctor Tay Yi Hang… Use her pointer fingers and pointing to my dad shoulder which near to the chest.. And said loudly” uncle no HIV ok.. And roll her eyes and dash to door to go off.. I said” that’s all?? She said, anymore question?? I said you are being rude… As her tone was grumpty thruout.. Showing sacastics body language movements.. So I told her.. In that case I guess my dad is not safe to be in this hospital with your attitude.. Worst still you are the doctor.. And the nurse is better than you… So sad to see a Singapore doctor to have this kind of attitude which embarrass the country which the government have set a high expections when come to Medicals in Singapore .. Both the doctor walk away just like that.. And I ask them discharge my dad.. She said ok.. Will get the nurse to do it… And I said, ok… The reason why my dad left this hospital is because of the both of you.. And roll her eyes and walk away..

Again I am shock… They allow that to happen when the patient is a isolated client.. And walk off…

And another Malay nurse, Chinese nurse and a senior staff Chinese nurse came.. And talk to us.. They also agree, that the doctor can’t do that… And they were very sorry of wat had happen.. After which their senior doctor which is a young lady name DR NOH.. She was talking so fast and I guess she is tense up.. Again I explain to her.. And told her get the 2 doctors to apologize not to me but the patient which is my dad… She keep quiet awhile.. So I ask her, can or not?? She shake her head.. So I told her, cannot right?? So I do not want to waste my time.. I need to rush my dad to another hospital fast due to his conditions.. The nurse bring us to the lift.. Keep on apologies of wat happen… All the nurse in ward 61 night shift.. Thumbs up to you guys… But too bad your doctor is not.. But again, they did not give us any memo for us to pass to the next hospital at all..

So we left, straight to emergency back.. Where my father was in the beginning… And get the staff that we would want to speak to the most senior doctor in the emergency department. His name was DR Victor.. He was calming and listen to us of wat happen. And advice my dad to put on the mask.. And call the ward 61 doctor to settle the issues.. He also understand the situation.. He said, he will give us a memo for the next hospital for the next doctor to review my dad case… That’s call a responsible doctor which think for the patience than his pocket… Not like the doctors in ward 61 (2 of them) whom don’t think of the patient.. But just work for the sake of the salary instead.. We still demand for the 2 to apologies for another last chance for them but did not still… So we have no choice but to take the memo from emergency and off to another hospital instead.. And we also mentioned we will viral it to the public to see what have happen for a patient which been isolated… Will like to take this opportunity to tell everyone… We have to ensure our elderly parents in a good hands when admitted to the hospital.. And must not ill treat the elderly when they are in the hospital…

Source: Amboi Susan Mariam

September 14, 2015