Tan I K, Jacob E
Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital.
Ann Acad Med Singap. 1989 Jul;18(4):477-89.
During the period from 1982 to mid-1989, there has been very significant changes and improvement in the practice and application of clinical biochemistry in Singapore. This paper highlights recent developments in the repertoire of biochemical analyses, utilisation of laboratory tests, biochemical screening in preventive health care, handling and delivery of patient specimens, advances in analytical techniques, automation, computerisation, quality assurance, training of laboratory personnel, and professional activities. It also draws attention to the restructuring of the Singapore General Hospital and the government Department of Pathology which frees these government institutions from the constraints of the civil service so that they would be sufficiently flexible to respond readily to the changing needs and expectations of the patients and users of laboratory services. This is the most prominent event and policy change in the history of health care services in Singapore that is expected to result in more cost-effective utilisation of resources and greater improvement in the quality of health care.
