Singapore honors pioneering doctors with apex title
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Seventeen doctors and dentists in Singapore, including Venkataraman Anantharaman and Phua Kong Boo, received the Eminent Academician title, the country’s highest medical honour, on September 12.
The Academy of Medicine, Singapore, awarded the title to recognise clinicians who have significantly contributed to the nation’s healthcare system over their careers. Venkataraman Anantharaman, known as the “father of emergency medicine” in Singapore, worked to improve emergency care standards beginning in the 1970s.
He established the National Resuscitation Council and developed disaster medical response plans, training approximately 180,000 people annually in life-saving skills like cardiopulmonary resuscitation. He also advocated for immediate treatment of emergency patients, rather than waiting for them to reach a hospital ward. Paediatrician Phua Kong Boo led successful trials for a rotavirus vaccine in the early 2000s, impacting the treatment of gastroenteritis in children.
He also identified a rare genetic disease, PKB syndrome, named after him, after observing unusual symptoms in a young patient. Phua encourages future paediatricians to prioritise treatable conditions and address growing health concerns like childhood obesity and mental health. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the title aligns Singapore with international best practices found in countries like the US and UK.
He also outlined future challenges for Singapore’s healthcare system, including an aging population and the threat of future pandemics, emphasising the need for collaboration among medical professionals.
