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Joyce Teo

Senior Health Correspondent

Joyce is senior health correspondent at The Straits Times. She has been on the health beat for more than a decade, covering everything from mental health and population health to health policies and palliative care. She is also host of the ST Health Check podcast. Having written extensively about mental health, she believes that talking openly about it can help reduce stigma. She is a member of Singapore’s Bioethics Advisory Committee and a fellow of the Temasek Foundation-IPS Asia Journalism Fellowship. 

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TTSH to extend care programme to all wards as patients benefit from power of touch

ST20260415-202640000187-Lim Yaohui-Joyce Teo-jtnamaste15/

Madam Wong Lai Quen, 68, part-time IT advisor and caregiver who attended the Namaste Care workshop and actively applies the skills - such as leg massage - for her husband, Mr Steven Lau, 69, who has dementia, at home on April 15, 2026. 

Namaste Care uses individualised activities such as gentle hand massage, aromatherapy, calming music, guided reminiscence and familiar tastes, tailored to each patient's cognitive and physical abilities. These interventions help bridge communication barriers, build trust between patients, healthcare teams and caregivers, and foster a calmer environment that supports recovery and daily care.


(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)
ST20260415-202640000187-Lim Yaohui-Joyce Teo-jtnamaste15/

Madam Wong Lai Quen, 68, part-time IT advisor and caregiver who attended the Namaste Care workshop and actively applies the skills - such as leg massage - for her husband, Mr Steven Lau, 69, who has dementia, at home on April 15, 2026. 

Namaste Care uses individualised activities such as gentle hand massage, aromatherapy, calming music, guided reminiscence and familiar tastes, tailored to each patient's cognitive and physical abilities. These interventions help bridge communication barriers, build trust between patients, healthcare teams and caregivers, and foster a calmer environment that supports recovery and daily care.


(ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI)

Should you buy a health insurance rider, downgrade your old rider or drop it?

Navigating Singapore’s evolving health insurance landscape.
Navigating Singapore’s evolving health insurance landscape.

Singapore must rethink work, support systems to help individuals in a ‘longevity’ society: Indranee

Currently, one in about five Singaporeans are aged 65 and above. By 2030, this will rise to one in four.
Currently, one in about five Singaporeans are aged 65 and above. By 2030, this will rise to one in four.

Growing number of liver transplant patients linked to obesity and diabetes, instead of hepatitis B

Lian Pooh Kim, 60, who underwent a liver transplant in 2024, pictured at their home on March 27, 2026.
Lian Pooh Kim, 60, who underwent a liver transplant in 2024, pictured at their home on March 27, 2026.

NTU, NHG Health launch work-study programme to boost number of clinical psychologists in S’pore

The three-year programme will start in August 2026, with its first batch of students expected to graduate in 2029.
The three-year programme will start in August 2026, with its first batch of students expected to graduate in 2029.

Medical cost inflation in Singapore set to hit record 16.9%; insurers’ body urges collective action

For a start, all seven Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers have to launch new riders by April 1 to meet the Ministry of Health’s new requirements.
For a start, all seven Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers have to launch new riders by April 1 to meet the Ministry of Health’s new requirements.

NKF steps up push for home-based peritoneal dialysis amid rising kidney failure cases

Supported by a $3 million gift from the estate of Khoo Teck Puat, the programme aims to support 300 patients in adopting this form of treatment. 
Supported by a $3 million gift from the estate of Khoo Teck Puat, the programme aims to support 300 patients in adopting this form of treatment. 

Over 630 GPs in Singapore now part of scheme that empowers them to treat mental health

Most of the participating GPs are from clinics under preventive health initiative Healthier SG, which supports primary care doctors with guidance for patient care and information on community resources.
Most of the participating GPs are from clinics under preventive health initiative Healthier SG, which supports primary care doctors with guidance for patient care and information on community resources.

Alexandra Hospital transforms Parkinson’s care with bi-monthly clinic-cafe

ST20260318_202613600123/jtcafe18/Jason Quah

Dr Venugopalan Menon Preetha, Parkinson's Cafe@AH Lead Consultant, Geriatric Medicine, Alexandra Hospital working with patients at Parkinson's Cafe@AH on March 18, 2026. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
ST20260318_202613600123/jtcafe18/Jason Quah

Dr Venugopalan Menon Preetha, Parkinson's Cafe@AH Lead Consultant, Geriatric Medicine, Alexandra Hospital working with patients at Parkinson's Cafe@AH on March 18, 2026. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH

S’pore study links positive maternal well-being to stronger cognitive abilities in pre-school children

Mothers with a positive sense of mental well-being tend to adopt healthier parenting styles, a study has found.
Mothers with a positive sense of mental well-being tend to adopt healthier parenting styles, a study has found.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.