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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Latest articles

NUH to introduce smartwatches for inpatient vital signs monitoring

Data from the smartwatches will be fed into the hospital’s electronic medical records system, allowing automatic documentation.

Is there really a ‘three-seconds rule’ when it comes to dropped food?

While tables in hawker centres and food courts are cleaned regularly, they are not sanitised to the same standard as plates or food preparation surfaces.

When back pain turns out to be cancer – and something more

Cancer survivor Ranald Lai, who has also Li-Fraumeni syndrome - a rare genetic disorder that increases a person’s cancer risks - with his doctor, senior medical oncologist Valerie Yang.

TB screenings in Bedok part of more proactive infectious disease surveillance: Tan Kiat How

In May the CDA conducted mandatory TB screening for some 700 tenants and employees at three locations in Bedok linked to three clusters with 13 genetically similar cases.

Biotechnology could revolutionise human life. Should it be allowed to?

As science pushes the frontiers of what is known about cancer and other diseases – allowing for new medicines to be developed – digital technology too, is pushing boundaries

‘Diving suits’ developed to assist cyborg cockroaches in underwater search-and-rescue efforts

Equipped with infrared cameras, sensors and electrodes, cyborg cockroaches can help to locate survivors in disaster-hit areas.

Man dies after lightning strike in waters off Pasir Ris Beach

A police vehicle seen at the beach near Carpark D at Pasir Ris Park at 6.30pm on July 5, after a lightning strike incident was reported earlier.

22,000 cicadas caught in Tampines Changkat since March; other towns to learn from bug control effort

Deployed across 18 Housing Board blocks, the traps were used to attract cicadas which had moulted and were supplemented by the capture of the insects at the affected blocks.

Life sciences investment giant to give Singapore medtech start-ups international boost

Dr Tan See Leng, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in MTI delivering a speech during the Singapore Medical Device Showcase on June 29, 2026.

‘Diseases, unfortunately, do not sleep’: How CDA is using AI to lead S’pore’s infectious diseases fight

CDA chief executive Vernon Lee stresses AI could help free up staff for more analytical and policy-making activities, tapping data provided by the technology.

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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.