Seniors with low or no income will receive support for at least 8,000 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment sessions over five years, through a S$10 million donation from The Ngee Ann Kongsi to NHG Health.
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding on 30 October 2026 to establish The Ngee Ann Kongsi Programme for Integrative Medicine Excellence. Integrative medicine brings together conventional Western medicine and TCM in patient care.
Help With Treatment Costs
Eligible seniors will be able to receive TCM treatment at reduced or waived fees at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Woodlands Hospital.
The programme will initially support about 800 sessions a year, increasing to 2,400 annually by its fifth year. The five-year target counts treatment sessions, so it does not represent 8,000 individual patients.
Patients can receive treatments such as acupuncture alongside their conventional medical care. Zaobao reported that the level of financial support will depend on patients’ financial circumstances.
Training Staff and Supporting Research
The donation will fund patient care, healthcare staff education and research, with the wider programme involving NHG Health’s three hospitals and polyclinics.
An initial group of 12 healthcare professionals will receive funding to take TCM courses. Doctors, nurses, therapists and TCM practitioners will also have opportunities for overseas training and exchanges.
NHG Health will work with academic institutions and community TCM organisations on up to six research projects, including work on rehabilitation and care for older people.
The research is intended to guide treatment protocols and future decisions on integrating TCM into public healthcare.
