A Gold Coast first in robotic rehabilitation launch at Robina Private

More than $450,000 of state-of-the-art robotic rehabilitation equipment – including gaming and virtual reality devices – is being trialled at Robina Private Hospital, in a Gold Coast-first program aimed at enhancing results for patients by stimulating both their mind and muscle.

The six, high-tech rehabilitation machines, developed in Austria, arrived this week and are being offered to patients at the Healthe Care-operated hospital for the next six weeks now being trialled until 15 June 2021, with a view to officially introducing a full-scale program prior to the end of 2021.

 

Healthe Care chief executive officer of specialty hospitals, Julia Strickland-Bellamy, said the inclusion of the robotic equipment at Robina Private Hospital comes following the successful implementation of robotic rehabilitation at Healthe Care’s Eden Private Hospital on the Sunshine Coast, late last year.

The innovative equipment uses robotics, sensors, virtual reality and gamification to engage patients physically and cognitively, allowing for more intensive rehabilitation. It is used to benefit a wide range of adult and adolescent rehabilitation patients, helping to improve functional deficits associated with stroke and other neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's, as well as musculoskeletal and spinal conditions.

 

OncoCare supported “Hair for Hope Children's Cancer Foundation”

Our OncoCare Cancer Centre in Singapore joined the “Hair for Hope Children's Cancer Foundation” campaign this year as Satellite Partner and Event Sponsor. From May to June, our medical staff motivate children of our patients to shave to support their parents; some doctors and nurses shaved hair and made donations to Hair for Hope (HfH), the only head-shaving event in Singapore that serves to raise funds and awareness of childhood cancer.

Through this symbolic gesture, we aim to create awareness of childhood cancer, show children with cancer and their families that they are not alone in their fight against cancer, tell children with cancer that it is OK to be bald, raise funds to help children with cancer and their families, build a community of support for children with cancer and their families.

 

Mindfront Health co-organized China's first exhibition on body shame and eating disorders

China's first exhibition on body shame and eating disorders opened at the Shanghai Himalayas Museum on 14th  May, bringing into spotlight modern Chinese women's anxiety on appearance, what the worst consequences it could cause, and possible solutions. Mindfront Health was the only mental health group invited to the exhibition, and our psychological consultant Zhao Lu explained why eating disorders happen, and how to deal with such problem, hoping to raise the participants’ awareness of eating disorders and encourage them to embrace healthy life and positive attitude. The exhibition drew an overwhelming amount of media attention, bringing positive energy to individuals, organizations and society.

The exhibition was emotional because the curator Zhang Qinwen, who stands 1.64 meters tall, weighed just 28 kilograms when she battled with the eating disorder. Now, one year into recovery, she has launched and curated an exhibition with over 40 items, including installations, paintings, photographs and poems by eating disorder patients and care givers. Through the form of "Art x Interaction x Market", the exhibition intuitively and emotionally simulates the inner world of patients with eating disorders; while it was also science-based with Mindfront’s professional participation.

Eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, are among the most lethal psychiatric disorders. Anorexia nervosa is the deadliest mental illness, with an estimated mortality rate of 5 to 15 percent. Some die from starvation, impairs physical health problems or complications that it brings while others commit suicide. Young females between 12 to 35 are most at risk.

Eating disorders began attracting significant attention in the 1970s and '80s in the West, but such mental health issues are only just gaining traction in China as the country undergoes rapid modernization. As Chinese society starts to focus more on personal well-being and higher standards of living, more women are speaking out about their struggle with obsessing over weight loss and a flawless body image. However, medical journal The Lancet reported in March last year that only around 20% of individuals with eating disorders seek treatment, and presentation is often late in the disease course—after many months or even years of untreated symptoms—leading to entrenched illness that is more difficult to manage.

Mindfront Health is committed to popular science education, advocating the public to pay attention to various mental health problems, and supporting patients to seek treatment and regain confidence.

 

 

Novena Heart Centre opens a new clinic in Mt Alvernia Hospital

On 1st June 2021, Novena Heart Centre opened a new clinic in Mt Alvernia Hospital, with two cardiologists working fulltime at the new clinic.

Founded in 2007, Novena Heart Centre (“NHC”) is one of the largest and fastest growing multi-disciplinary cardiology group practices in Singapore. It currently operates 3 clinics in Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Mt Alvernia Hospital. NHC covers five major cardiology disciplines: coronary intervention, heart rhythm management, heart failure, cardiac imaging, and cardio thoracic surgery. 

 

Healthe Care Australia celebrated National Volunteer Week

In the spirit of National Volunteer Week (NVW), Healthe Care Australia recognised the contribution of the many volunteers across our hospital network. We are always committed to provide a calm warmth, a friendly smile, and a supportive ear to our patients, relatives and staff.

NVW is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteers, and the theme for NVW 2021 is “Recognise, Reconnect, Reimagine”. From Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd May, NVW celebrated the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers, who dedicate over 600 million hours to help others each year.

 

Yantai hospitals offered volunteer medical consultation to elderly villagers

On 23rd June, a group of 7 doctors from 4 hospitals in Yantai arrived early in Zhengjiazhuang Village, a revolutionary base area located 2-hour drive away from the city, offering free medical services to over 200 local and surrounding villagers. In addition to measuring the villagers’ blood pressure and blood sugar, the expert team also provided health care knowledge. Based on one-on-one consultation, they also introduce some individualized medical care tips, which were warmly welcomed by local people.

According to Jiang Pingyin, Deputy Dean of Yantai Huayi Rehabilitation Hospital and Amy Zhang, Director of Operation, Luye Medical, this event is one of the series of "Medical Tour in Old Districts" organized by the Revolutionary Old District Construction and Promotion Association of Yantai City, Shandong Province. Yantai Huayi Rehabilitation Hospital (High-tech Zone Rehabilitation Branch, Yuhuangding Hospital), Yantai Ailimei Maternity Hospital (High-tech Zone Maternity Branch, Yuhuangding Hospital), Goodwill Dental and Ai Limei Plastic Surgery Hospital jointly organized volunteer medical consultation in Jiazhuang Village, Gecheng Village and other places with aging problems. The team gave medical advice for the elderly with frequently-occurring, chronic and common diseases, and suggested some healthy eating and living habits to them.