Computing systems and technologies have become increasingly essential for modern practice of medicine, pharmaceutical and clinical research, efficient and effective management of health care and health professions education.
Lun Kwok Chan, Ph.D, associate professor of medical informatics at the National University of Singapore, who also is president-elect of the International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA) quoted that,
Although Singapore is small, including 50 islands that are connected by a causeway to the tip of the Malay Peninsula, it is "probably the only fully wired country in the world"
He stated, government IT initiatives in all public sectors of the country are quite forward thinking, and one project, Singapore ONE (One Network for Everyone), is bringing "a new level of interactive, multimedia applications and services to homes, businesses and schools throughout Singapore." He also predicts that another government program, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) 21 Master Plan, will transform Singapore into a vibrant global IT capital with an Internet-based economy by 2010.
The government has made medical informatics a priority by establishing the Medical Informatics Programme (MIP) at the National University of Singapore. Developed through joint funding from the country's National Science and Technology
Board and the Ministry of Education, the MIP provides an environment for developing further research capabilities in medical informatics.
Last Updated:
03/23/2006
