A collaborative initiative between KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), and Temasek Foundation has been recognised for its innovative approach to maternal and child health within the Muslim community. Project Achieving Resilient and Inspiring Families (ARIF), launched in September 2020, received the National Community Care Excellence Team Award at the National Medical Excellence Awards held on September 17 at Conrad Singapore.
Project ARIF was developed to address notable gaps in knowledge about maternal and child health among young Muslim couples identified through a prior study. It is Southeast Asia’s first programme designed to guide couples from marriage through preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and child health, by integrating clinical support within faith-based marriage ecosystems. According to Suzanna Sulaiman, deputy chairman of the obstetrics and gynaecology division at KKH, the programme’s creation was driven not by cost concerns but by recognising the central role of religion in health decision-making within the community. She noted that mosques and marriage solemnisers serve as natural access points for preventive healthcare initiatives.
Since its inception, Project ARIF has reached over 12,000 individuals, including more than 5,000 couples who have received education and support aimed at fostering healthier families. The programme places equal emphasis on fathers’ involvement, recognising their vital role in preparing for parenthood, supporting their spouses during pregnancy and childbirth, and actively participating in their children’s health and development.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who is also the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, commended the ARIF team for extending healthcare beyond traditional clinical settings to better understand the needs of patients and families. He highlighted how the project aligns with Singapore’s broader healthcare policies that focus on social prescribing, as seen in national initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG. Ong underscored the programme’s potential to strengthen families and communities, contributing to the nation’s goal of building a caring and compassionate society.
The National Medical Excellence Awards represent the highest honour in Singapore’s healthcare sector, recognising exemplary clinicians and teams for their contributions. Among the other recipients was Teo Eng Kiong, chief executive officer of Sengkang General Hospital, who received the National Outstanding Clinician Award. Teo, with more than 30 years of experience, has been pivotal in advancing gastroenterology and hepatology, particularly through his work in developing a minimally invasive technique known as direct endoscopic necrosectomy for severe pancreatic infections. He also played a significant role in shaping Singapore’s national response to viral hepatitis and contributed to treatment guidelines for hepatitis B and C.
In the research category, N. Gopalakrishna Iyer, head of the department of head and neck surgery at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, was honoured with the National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award. His work focuses on identifying exceptional patient responses to therapies to develop new treatments. One of his projects involved creating a bioengineered hydrogel to preserve lymph nodes outside the body, facilitating studies on immune responses to vaccines and immunotherapy. Iyer emphasised the importance of nimble, well-supported research, particularly for head and neck cancer, which he noted tends to receive limited funding despite its prevalence in Asia. He stressed the need for affordable new therapies to improve treatment accessibility for patients in the region.
The awards ceremony acknowledged seven clinicians and two teams for their outstanding contributions to advancing healthcare and research in Singapore.