IPS Update Issue August 2020

In the latest IPS Online Forum on Senior Care in the Age of Pandemics, four experts on ageing and health policy discussed the role of technology in supporting healthcare for seniors, and healthcare management during COVID-19.

The session featured Ms Pang Sze-Yunn, Council Member, World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Longevity, and Former Head, Population Health Management, Philips ASEAN Pacific; Mr Karthik Tirupathi, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Napier Healthcare Solutions; Professor Helen Sanderson, Founder, Wellbeing Teams; and Dr Ng Wai Chong, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, NWC Longevity Practice. It was moderated by Ms Yvonne Arivalagan, Ageing and Health Policy Researcher and Fellow, World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Longevity.

Panellists agreed that COVID-19 has accelerated the development and widespread use of technology in healthcare. Restrictions of movement due to the Circuit Breaker and fears of viral spread have increased the use of telemedicine, especially teleconsulting. At the same time, they emphasised the importance of retaining the human touch in the deployment of technology in healthcare. Read our summary of the event here.

Commentary — “How COVID-19 shaped this Singapore Cabinet line-up?” 
(CNA)
By Gillian Koh
• 5-min read

IPS’ Deputy Director (Research) Dr Gillian Koh analyses the recent Cabinet line-up. She notes that medical expertise to bolster the health and manpower ministries, coupled with experience in communications and outreach in engagement-related ministries, can address perception gaps about the Government’s management of COVID-19. The new Cabinet line-up also sends a strong signal of continuity in the leadership transition journey.

Commentary — “The NCMP scheme: still relevant?”
(IPS Commons)
By Teo Kay Key and Tan Ern Ser
• 4-min read

Despite its critics, the NCMP scheme has helped usher Singapore into a new phase of its political development, argue IPS researchers. As opposition parties continue to grow and be seen as credible alternatives, they may not need alternative routes to enter parliament. Whether the NCMP scheme continues to be relevant will be clearer in the coming years leading up to the next GE.

Summary — “IPS-Nathan Lecture 3 — Singapore in a Time of Flux: Optimism from the Jaws of Gloom by Professor Chan Heng Chee” 
(IPS Commons)
• 5-min read

In her final lecture as IPS’ 7th S R Nathan Fellow, Professor Chan opined that “gloom is not destiny” for Singapore. She spoke of the need for the government to be more open to and accommodate alternative views, lessons learnt from the COVID-19 crisis, support for local SMEs and how Singapore could respond in the face of intensifying US-China rivalry.

Commentary — “Younger Voters: Warming more than the cockles of their hearts beyond GE2020”
(IPS Commons)
By Dhevarajan Devadas
• 5-min read

Younger voters are an increasingly important demographic. Former IPS researcher Dhevarajan Devadas examines how they approached the 2020 General Election, the importance of promoting greater political literacy among younger voters, and argues that there is a need to accommodate the reality that politics may no longer be confined to political parties and Parliament. 

Commentary — “How the Workers’ Party won big this General Election”
(CNA)
By Gillian Koh
• 5-min read

Voters returned People’s Action Party candidates in 83 out of 93 seats in Parliament, but the Workers’ Party (WP) stole the show. IPS' Deputy Director (Research) Dr Gillian Koh outlines several factors, such as its track record of providing an alternative voice in parliament and social media strategy, which accounted for WP’s success in claiming its second GRC in GE2020.