The Laboratory Medicine department at Changi General Hospital (CGH) organised the 12th Annual Laboratory Medicine Symposium on 6th July 2019. Since the year 2008, our Senior Consultant and Chemical Pathologist, Prof Aw Tar Choon had conceived the idea of a Lab Symposium to bring the local lab medicine community together (i.e. pathologists, medical technologists, phlebotomists, lab admin staff, biomedical science educators, diagnostic vendors and other healthcare professionals) It is this tightly knit community that has made the 12 years of CGH Lab Symposium possible.

The programme is a reflection of the many varied fields of expertise that exist within the world of laboratory medicine. In view of current interests and advances in lab medicine, prominent experts like Dr Wong Moh Sim, Head and Senior Consultant from KTPH who shed some light on what’s new in HbA1c and Dr Leslie Lam, Director of Chemical Pathology from NTFGH who elaborated on the challenges of PTH testing. Our very own CGH Chemical Pathologists, Prof Aw and Medical Officer Dr Michael Lau shared on the clinical applications of thyroid function assessment and electrolytes testing respectively. Our Consultant Microbiologist, Dr Crystal Wong delivered a presentation on the “success of flu” particularly, influenza and its evolution. Additionally, CGH’s very own Consultant Dermatologist Dr Ong Suyin shared her expertise on 'Mohs' surgery for skin cancer.

The symposium has also given insight into local specialised laboratories. Mr Michael Ng from HSA shared on his speciality in pre-transfusion testing, while Forensic Pathologist A/Prof Cuthbert Teo engaged the participants with some intriguing forensic case studies from Singapore.

Built on the concept of training the mind to think, the Symposium challenged the minds of participants with its line-up of talks. We look forward to what the Symposium may offer in the future and we hope for the betterment of diagnostic healthcare.