Providing quality medical support to our national athletes

Question

Dr Benedict Tan: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what is being done to ensure that our national athletes receive adequate medical support, given that the Singapore Sports Institute has been without any full time Sports Physician for the past two years.

Response

1. Minister Lawrence Wong: The Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) runs a sports medical centre supported by visiting sports physicians and consultants as well as a team of in-house physiotherapists and trainers. In addition, it has tie-ups with three public hospitals – Changi General, Khoo Teck Puat, and Tan Tock Seng. Under this tie-up, experienced visiting Sports Physicians provide quality medical support and specialist care to our national athletes.
   

2. I agree with the member that it is important for the Singapore Sports Institute to have a resident Medical Director to ensure a robust system is in place to oversee the medical needs of national athletes. Sport Singapore has intensified the search for such a full-time Sport Physician and we hope to find a suitable candidate soon.