Zhaki Abdullah

Correspondent

Zhaki first joined The Straits Times in 2015, where he was a transport journalist and regular columnist writing about millennial and parenting issues. Following a three-year stint with CNA, Zhaki rejoined ST in 2022 and now covers the health beat, with occasional forays into the environment, science, tech and Muslim affairs sectors.

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Tele-dentistry programme helps kids from lower-income families improve oral health

(From left) A/Prof Catherine Hong, Vice Dean (Research, Innovation and Enterprise), NUS Dentistry and Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Dentistry, NUCOHS, Mdm Peggy Tan and her granddaughter Rhianne Lee, HEADS-UPP tele-dentistry programme participant, Dr Ishreen Dhillon, Associate Consultant, Division of Paediatric Dentistry, NUCOHS and Academic Fellow, NUS Dentistry, Adj A/Prof Chong Shang Chee, Head of Division and Senior Consultant, Division of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, NUH, and programme lead of HEADS-UPP pictured April 22, 2026.

S’pore-led studies make breakthroughs in treating cancers in women

Associate Professor David Tan and Dr Natalie Ngoi, from the haematology-oncology department at the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, are researchers involved with the Lara trial.

More durable dental implants, cheaper fuel cells with launch of industry research lab at NTU

(Left to right) CEO National Dental Centre Singapore Professor Goh Bee Tin and Professor Ng Kee Woei, Chair, School of Materials Science & Engineering holding up a model of a dental implant and a sample of a nanocomposite coating during the opening of the NTI-NTU corporate laboratory on April 20, 2026.

Lung cell bank aims to help Singapore breathe easy in case of outbreak

Dr Conrad Chan (left) of the Communicable Diseases Agency and Prof Sanjay Chotirmall, vice-dean of research at NTU LKCMedicine, at LKCMedicine's cell tissue culture lab on Apr 14.

New chip can use genetic markers to speed up disease detection

The device combines a specially designed nanophotonic chip with artificial intelligence-automated image analysis.

Land to be released for private not-for-profit hospital in the east: Ong Ye Kung

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, flanked by chief executive James Lam and deputy director of nursing Kathleen Low, touring an upgraded ICU at Mount Alvernia Hospital on April 9.

Singapore develops contingency plans in case of disruptions to 2026 haj pilgrimage

Preparations for haj are proceeding as planned and MUIS will continue to monitor the latest developments in the region.

New surgical procedure shown to improve symptoms of moderate Alzheimer’s disease

Clinical Assistant Professor Vincent Tay (left) and Clinical Assistant Professor Jeremy Sun hope to recruit an additional six patients this year as part of the trial’s next phase.

Singapore study reveals role of different brain regions in regulating impulsive behaviour

Assistant Professor of Systems Neuroscience Tsukasa Kamigaki (seated) and research fellow Dr Malcolm Ho are part of a team from the Nanyang Technological University's Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine who have uncovered how different brain regions work together to enable self-control. Their findings, published in the journal Science Advances, could help advance the understanding of conditions such as ADHD and addiction.

New NUHS centre to expand genomics testing efforts

National Research Foundation chairman Mr Heng Swee Keat (centre left) and Professor Chong Yap Seng, deputy chief executive (Education and Research) of National University Health System (NUHS) and Dean of the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, shaking hands to mark the launch of the National University Centre for Genomic Medicine by NUHS during its biennial Scientific and Innovation Summit at Shangri-La Hotel on April 2, 2026. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM azgenome02

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