Here are five of the top health stories of 2024, and what can be expected in 2025:
1 PREPARING THE POPULATION FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC
Changes to the Infectious Diseases Act were passed in March, with the aim of allowing the Republic to address public health threats of varying severity.
A new intermediate state called the Public Health Threat was introduced, in addition to the more dire Public Health Emergency.
These changes effectively replace the earlier colour-coded Disease Outbreak Response System Condition, or Dorscon, framework.
In September, the country also stepped up measures to protect against mpox, previously known as monkeypox, after the World Health Organisation declared the disease a global public health emergency for the second time in two years.
These include free vaccinations for healthcare workers at highest risk of exposure to mpox, as well as close contacts of confirmed cases, in addition to immediate contact tracing for close contacts of confirmed mpox clade I cases.
On Dec 21, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said Singapore was watching four diseases as part of pandemic preparedness efforts - H5N1 bird flu, Covid-19, mpox clade I, and a mystery disease in Congo, which its Health Ministry has since identified as a severe form of malaria.
2 TELEMEDICINE UNDER GREATER SCRUTINY
Gaining popularity amid the safe management measures of the Covid-19 pandemic, telemedicine came under greater scrutiny in 2024.
On Dec 20, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced it was revoking the licence of MaNaDr Clinic, whose services include teleconsultation, citing "an entrenched culture of disregard for the applicable ethical and clinical standards".
MOH cited many cases involving very short teleconsultations, with the shortest lasting just one second.
Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2024 de The Straits Times.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 28, 2024 de The Straits Times.
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GRANNY LIFTS THE BAR ON KEEPING FIT
Ms Cheng Chen Chin-mei beamed broadly as she hoisted a 35kg weightlifting bar to her waist, dropped it and waved confidently to the enthusiastic crowd in a competition in Taipei.
Youth rewrite social norms
It has always been the case that young people drive societal change.
Zoo pygmy hippo adored by internet
For users scrolling through TikTok, X and Instagram, one animal has emerged as the undisputed star of 2024: Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.
Warabimochi gives snack lovers much to chew on
Singapore was mad for mochi in 2024, the craze sparked by the arrival in February of popular Japanese brand Warabimochi Kamakura.
Virtual Travel Tools Take Off
Virtual tools reshaped the travel landscape in 2024, driving innovation and transforming experiences for travellers worldwide.
X factor behind pop princesses' reign
From Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter to Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, women ruled the airwaves in 2024.
Ugly shoes stand out
In an era when fashion trends come and go faster than you can lace up your sneakers, one movement has proved its staying power: ugly shoes.
TikTok's very mindful, very demure influence
You see how TikTok continued to foster the exchange of ideas and philosophy between borders and cultures in 2024? Very mindful, very demure.
Quitting the F&B scene
La Dame de Pic, Tippling Club, Gemma, Art di Daniele Sperindio, Sushi Kimura, Beni, Chef Kang's, Sommer and Braci are all restaurants that fine-dining fans might recommend as must-visit places in Singapore.
Rising mercury shifts seasons
The year 2023 was recorded as the hottest in history, and 2024 is on track to surpass it.
