Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic

Navigating Singapore's National Immunisation Schedule (NCIS): Essential Vaccines for Your Child

September 10, 2024

Why childhood vaccination still matters

For most parents, the world of childhood vaccinations is something you encounter in the haze of new parenthood: hospital discharge summaries, reminder letters, and a series of clinic visits with tiny thighs and big tears. It can be tempting to think of vaccines as just “more injections”, especially when your child looks perfectly healthy.

In reality, childhood vaccination is one of the most powerful and proven ways we have to protect children from serious illness, disability and death. Diseases such as measles, whooping cough, meningitis, severe pneumonia and polio are thankfully rare in Singapore today largely because of high vaccination coverage. When vaccination rates fall, these infections come back – as we have seen in other countries.

Managing High Blood Pressure: When Lifestyle Changes Aren't Enough

August 15, 2024

Why high blood pressure deserves your attention

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is common, silent, and serious. Most people feel perfectly well even when their readings are high, yet over time raised blood pressure quietly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage and even problems with vision and memory. In Singapore, surveys now suggest that roughly one in three adults has hypertension, and a substantial number either do not know they have it or are not well controlled. The encouraging news is that even small improvements make a difference: large studies show that lowering the upper number (systolic blood pressure) by just about 5 mmHg can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events by around 10%. That is a significant benefit from a relatively modest change.

Beyond the Jab: Navigating Flu Season in Singapore with Confidence

July 1, 2024

Why influenza deserves more respect than “just a bad cold”

Influenza, or “the flu”, is often underestimated. Many people think of it as a slightly worse version of the common cold, something to be endured with a few days of rest and over-the-counter medication. In reality, influenza is a different virus with very different consequences. It can flatten even healthy adults for a week or more, and in older adults or people with chronic medical conditions, it can lead to pneumonia, hospitalisation and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.

Health Screening: More Than Just a Package

June 7, 2024

Why do we screen for disease in the first place?

Health screening is about looking for early signs of disease before you feel unwell, with the aim of changing the course of that disease for the better. A good screening test should not simply throw up “abnormalities” on a report; it should help us prevent strokes and heart attacks, pick up cancers at an earlier stage, protect your kidneys, and reduce the risk of serious complications. In other words, the goal is not just to find things, but to make a real difference to your future health.