Track C2: Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance Through Policy, Projects, Research, and Innovation
Saturday, 27 September | 16:30–18:00 | Riverfront Ballroom (Level 2)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the major global public-health threats, requiring coordinated efforts across disciplines and borders. This dynamic session brings together leading experts from Singapore’s healthcare and academic institutions to delve into the multifaceted challenges and explore innovative approaches in combating AMR.
This track is structured around three focused presentations, followed by an interactive discussion to deepen dialogue and cross-sector knowledge exchange through policy framework, practical multidisciplinary collaboration, and innovative research.
Presentations
Antimicrobial Resistance: What Are the Strategies to Preserve and Resuscitate Our Magic Bullets (Antibiotics)? by A/Prof Andrea Lay Hoon KWA
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, undermining our ability to treat common infections and perform routine medical procedures. This synopsis outlines key strategies to combat AMR through an integrated approach combining research, clinical practice, and innovation.
Research initiatives focus on developing novel antimicrobials, understanding resistance mechanisms, and exploring alternative therapies such as bacteriophages and immunomodulators and theranostic strategies to guide treatment. Advanced innovations and technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, are used to co-pilot with physicians to optimise antimicrobial therapy. Clinical practice enhancement centres on implementing robust antimicrobial stewardship programmes that promote evidence-based prescribing and include relevant rapid diagnostic testing to guide timely appropriate prescribing. This multifaceted strategy aims to preserve antimicrobial effectiveness while developing new solutions for future challenges. Continuous adaptation and refinement of approaches ensure long-term sustainability in addressing the evolving threat of AMR. A/Prof Kwa will present her AMR innovative management strategies, deployed from her research and innovation endeavours.
The Current Policies and Research at the National and Global/Regional Level to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance by Professor Li Yang HSU
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to health, not just in Singapore but worldwide, with serious implications for healthcare, food security, and economic stability. This presentation explores Singapore’s multisectoral response to AMR, highlighting key policies, the national strategy, and institutional efforts. It will outline the development and impact of Singapore’s “One Health” National Strategic Action Plan on AMR, supported by coordinated efforts across the human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Case studies of both successful and failed implementation, including antimicrobial stewardship in public hospitals, surveillance systems, and public education campaigns, will be shared.
The talk will also examine research initiatives led by local institutions and the role of regional collaboration and innovation in diagnostics, surveillance, and clinical trials. By attempting to integrate policy, research, and innovation, Singapore offers one model for pragmatic action against AMR in the region and beyond.
Building Value in Antimicrobial Stewardship Teams: Current and Future Roles of Pharmacists by Dr Tat Ming NG
This session will explore the essential and evolving roles of pharmacists within antimicrobial stewardship teams. Attendees will gain insights into how pharmacists drive value and improve patient outcomes through current services such as prospective review and feedback, guideline development, and implementation of computerised decision support systems. Looking ahead, we will discuss emerging opportunities and how pharmacists can continue to build value in stewardship teams of the future. Join us in examining how pharmacists are shaping the present and future of antimicrobial stewardship and enhancing multidisciplinary collaboration.
Panel Discussion moderated by Dr Tat Ming NG
Panelists:
• Professor Li Yang HSU
• A/Prof Andrea Lay Hoon KWA
Speakers and Moderator
A/Prof Andrea Lay Hoon KWA
Associate Professor
Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme
Duke-NUS Medical School
Deputy Director (Research & Innovation)
Pharmacy
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore
Dr Andrea Kwa, a distinguished pharmacist clinician–scientist, has had a remarkable journey fuelled by her curiosity, passion, resilience. She excels in translational science, where she conducts evidence-based research and translates discoveries into practical applications, ensuring top-tier patient care. She specialised in critical care medicine, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance research, specifically in in-vitro wet bench translational (phage therapy, antibiotics combination testing), population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies, molecular diagnostics in antifungal and antibacterial resistance, epidemiology/outcomes studies, and health services research (specifically artificial intelligence/machine learning for antimicrobial resistance management) to guide antimicrobial stewardship. To date, she has authored more than 140 publications.
Professor Li Yang HSU
Director
Asia Centre for Health Security
Public Health
Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health
National University of Singapore
Singapore
Professor Li Yang Hsu is an infectious disease physician and Director of the Asia Centre for Health Security at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore. He leads regional collaborations with universities and government agencies, and he previously served as Head of Infectious Diseases at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the inaugural Clinical Director of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases. His research focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and health security, contributing to national stewardship policies and Singapore’s One Health AMR plan. Passionate about public education, he has co-authored books on infectious disease history with historian Dr Kah Seng Loh, and he has created comics on AMR and COVID‑19 with renewed graphic artist Mr Sonny Liew. He is also President of the Singapore Chess Federation.
Speaker
Title
Affiliation
Country
Bio
Dr Tat Ming NG
Principal Pharmacist (Specialist)/
Research and Innovation Lead
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Singapore
Dr Tat Ming Ng is an infectious disease pharmacist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital with an interest in advancing clinical care through research and innovation. He headed the pharmacy team of the antimicrobial stewardship team from 2008 to 2022 and was the previous unit head of pharmacy clinical services from 2015 to 2020. He also actively trains clinical pharmacists nationally by serving as preceptor and residency advisory committee member at the national pharmacy residency program. He currently serves as the research and innovation lead of the Division of Pharmacy. His research interests are in pharmacokinetics, antimicrobial stewardship, and value in healthcare.
