Mr S. Iswaran at the ACOH 2008, HOSPIMedica Asia 2008 and OS+H ASIA 2008

WELCOME REMARKS BY MR S ISWARAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE ACOH 2008, HOSPIMEDICA ASIA 2008 AND OS+H ASIA 2008 ON 17 SEPT 2008 AT 9.30 A.M., SUNTEC SINGAPORE

Werner Dornscheidt, CEO and President of Messe Duesseldorf Group of Companies,

Dr Lee Lay Tin, President of Asian Association of Occupational Health,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good morning to you.

I am pleased to be here today for the opening of this year’s HOSPIMedica Asia, Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition for Asia or the OSHA, and the 19th Asian Conference on Occupational Health, ACOH 2008.

Introduction

I would like to welcome all our overseas delegates and also to congratulate Messe Düsseldorf Asia on organising this biennial event for the healthcare, medical-related and occupational health and safety professionals and industry players, both in Singapore and around the region. I would also like to thank the Occupational and Environmental Health Society for organising this year’s ACOH 2008 Conference. International events such as HOSPIMedica help to build synergistic links between public and private sector industry players in a bid to jointly create and enhance industry standards and practices.

Singapore – Living Lab for Health & Wellness

According to a report by the United Nations, Asia’s combined population is expected to increase to 5.3 billion by the year 2050. The same report also projected that 1.2 billion people in Asia will be above 60 years in age by 2050. Coupled with the increasing affluence in Asia, there will be a greater demand for new healthcare solutions and higher quality medical services.

Singapore’s urbanised, affluent and ageing population reflects the future of Asia. This presents an opportunity for us to be a future-ready life laboratories, where companies and scientists can design, develop, test and launch innovative healthcare solutions for Asia and beyond.

As Singapore adopts an integrated-care approach to tackle the future challenges of an ageing population and sustain affordable quality healthcare, we seek to partner companies from industries such as IT systems, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and consumer lifestyle. With these companies, we can develop and test-bed solutions that will help transform our healthcare systems with improved clinical outcomes at greater operational and cost efficiencies. I understand that some companies are already working with partners here to test-bed their technologies in hospitals and even within residential homes. Beyond test-bedding, companies can also tap on the existing body of research conducted at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in healthcare technologies, electronic healthcare or e-health, and translational and clinical sciences to complement and further their own R&D efforts.

We believe that this pro-innovation environment will further bolster our efforts in developing world class healthcare services and clinical excellence, strengthening Singapore’s position as a location of choice for medical travellers globally.

Excellence in Workplace Safety and Health

Singapore is also committed to raising the standards of Workplace Safety and Health, or WSH - an important component of sustainable growth and development. Since 2005, when we introduced a new WSH framework based on three principles to reduce risk at source, promote industry ownership and impose higher penalties for poor safety management, there have been significant developments in Singapore. In 2007, a 10-year national WSH strategy was launched with a target of reducing the work-related fatality rate from 4.9 per 100,000 in 2004 to 2.5 per 100,000 by 2015. These initiatives coupled with the support of the industry, have resulted in work-related fatality rates decreasing to 2.9 per 100,000 by the end of 2007.

Despite the low work-related fatality rates in 2007, we have continued our efforts to improve WSH in Singapore. In March 2008, the WSH Act was extended to cover six new sectors, including the healthcare sector. In April 2008, the new Work Injury Compensation Act expanded coverage to almost all employees.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) exchange

Singapore serves as an excellent exchange capital where people, ideas and technology converge. Our commitment to improving WSH and our position as a leader in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the region will hopefully provide a platform for all OSH delegates to share ideas, network and develop new business relationships at the Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition and at the Asian Conference on Occupational Health.

Today, we have speakers from key international organisations in OSH such as the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH), the SafeWork, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA) to share with us the latest developments in the field, as well as the new challenges facing the OSH industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, quality healthcare, sound occupational health and safety standards and practices, and a good work-life balance will be essential for the general wellbeing and the productivity of employees. This exhibition and conference will serve as an excellent platform for the exchange of ideas and sharing of best practices in these fields.I wish all of you a very successful and fruitful time and an enjoyable stay in Uniquely Singapore.

Thank you.