Singapore - Singapore offers guidance on cloud use for the private healthcare sector

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) recently mapped cloud security standards for the private healthcare sector.

This Multi-Tier Cloud Security (MTCS) Singapore Standard aims to bring clarity to the private healthcare sector on how cloud computing can be used and applied for their enterprises, as well as trust through transparency of cloud service providers (CSPs) via certification.

The mapping guidelines show that the base tier of the MTCS, Level 1, could be used to host publicly available information such as clinical standards and terminology systems. Meanwhile, the most stringent tier, Level 3, could be used to host clinical administrative support systems such as billing and admissions data.

"Singapore must continue to lay the foundations for innovative solutions to thrive and grow in a Smart Nation, and this means bringing clarity to industry sectors to aid in their adoption. We are encouraged that the healthcare sector can now look to adopting the cloud with the clarity which our Multi-Tier Cloud Security Standard brings," said IDA Assistant Chief Executive Khoong Hock Yun.

Besides the MTCS, IDA recently called for feedback on the possibility of a data certification framework.

The agency has been driving clarity in the data landscape through various guidelines and standards, and is looking into the potential for an expanded framework to further drive adoption and use of private datasets through clarity. One such potential use case could be in exploring how a "common tongue" could be achieved between dataset owners and potential buyers to better gauge datasets.

Nurdianah Md Nur

Read more…                 and       Microsoft MTCS Singapore

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Singapore - Health warning issued against anti-itch herbal product

SINGAPORE: A health warning has been issued by Singapore authorities against an anti-itch herbal product after a woman who had taken the capsules developed Cushing’s syndrome, which causes rapid weight gain and a round “moon face”.

The consumer, who is in her 40s, had taken the Hai Leng Hai Beh Herbal Itch Removing Capsule (海龙海马止痒丸) capsules to relieve an itchy skin condition, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in an advisory on Thursday (May 5).

Although the condition improved within a day of taking the capsules, she experienced rapid weight gain and her face became puffy after consuming the product for more than two months, HSA said.

She was later diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, which is characterised by a round or “moon face”, and upper body obesity with thin limbs. The doctor reported the case to HSA.

The product was found to contain undeclared "potent Western medicinal ingredients" dexamethasone, chlorpheniramine and paracetamol, although it was labelled “100% herbal”, HSA said.

“Dexamethasone is a potent steroid that is usually prescribed for inflammatory conditions and should only be used under strict medical supervision. Long-term unsupervised use of oral steroids can cause Cushing’s syndrome, increased blood glucose levels leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, muscular and bone disorders and an increased risk of infections,” it said.

Although the consumer had purchased the product overseas, HSA warned that it does not rule out the possibility of the product being sold in Singapore.

Any sellers in Singapore should immediately stop the sale and distribution of the product immediately, it said. Offenders may face a fine of up to S$10,000 and up to two years’ jail if convicted.

Members of the public who have purchased or are consuming the capsules are advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible. They should not stop the use of the product immediately as the sudden discontinuation of steroids without proper medical supervision can cause withdrawal symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, confusion and low blood pressure, especially when it has been consumed for more than a few weeks, HSA said.

CNA/cy

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Singapore - Dengue cases in Singapore rise

The number of new dengue cases in Singapore rose to 244 with 15 new cases recorded last week, according to latest figures published by the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) on Wednesday.

Another 44 cases were reported between May 1 and 3, Channel News Asia reported.

A total of 7,370 dengue cases have been reported in Singapore since the start of the year. Four people have died of the disease.

The health ministry and NEA have warned that the number of dengue cases in Singapore may exceed 30,000 this year, higher than the record of 22,170 reported in 2013.

This is due to factors such as warmer conditions brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon, faster breeding and maturation cycles of the Aedes mosquito population and a change in the main circulating dengue virus.

There are now 61 active dengue clusters in Singapore, including 12 classified as high-risk.

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