Innovative medical technology and integrated care services to raise quality of life for people with disabilities in the region

 

 

 

 

Singapore, 29 January 2013 – For the first time in South East Asia, an exhibition dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities, will be held in Singapore this February. Organised by Singex Exhibition Ventures Pte Ltd, RehabTech Asia[1] will be held in conjunction with the 2^nd Singapore Rehabilitation Conference and the 1^st Asia Pacific NeuroRehabilitation Symposium from 27 February to 1 March 2013 at Singapore EXPO Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Fundamentals in Assistive Technology course will be held on 1 and 2 March 2013.

 

Conference and Symposium to raise standards of rehabilitation care in the region

 

The two-day Conference, jointly organised by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH), features two plenary lectures, 24 concurrent conference sessions and multiple scientific paper presentations by a select group of renowned international experts and leading local practitioners[2]. The one-day Symposium, a sister event of the International NeuroRehabilitation Symposiumheld in Switzerland since 2004, is a series of presentations on robot-aided gait training, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation after spinal cord injury, and stroke rehabilitation technologies among others[3].

 

Says Dr Kong Keng He, Conference Chairperson and Senior Consultant at TTSH’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, “The organising committee has lined up a Conference programme that is both enriching and value-adding to the professional development of our delegates across various fields of rehabilitation. With the aim to restore or improve patient’s quality of life, it will be a significant knowledge exchange platform for participants to present their research and discuss acute and rehabilitation treatments meaningfully. We strongly believe that this Conference will serve to raise the healthcare standards of rehabilitation in Singapore and the region.”

 

Adds Dr Ng Yee Sien, Conference Co-Chairperson, Head & Senior Consultant at SGH’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, and a Symposium speaker, “In 2012, SGH joined hands with TTSH to launch this landmark Conference to gather all local stakeholders in the rehabilitation field on a common platform to discuss ways to deliver comprehensive rehabilitation for patients. This year, we enhanced the programme to include new areas of rehabilitation as well as more global best practices and perspectives. In light of vast technological advances, a new addition to the programme is the Symposium that spotlights on neurorehabilitation.”

 

Exhibition to provide dynamic platform for rehabilitation industry professionals

 

RehabTech Asiawill be an international showcase of the latest assistive devices, homecare & nursing aids, mobility solutions, orthotics & prosthetics, and rehabilitation robotics.  Against a backdrop of a rapidly ageing population in Asia, and growing demand for special needs care services, Singex is expecting 4,000 visitors to converge at the exhibition.

 

Says Mr Aloysius Arlando, Chief Executive of Singex, “RehabTech Asia is the Asian extension of the ReaTech brand, a series of successful exhibitions serving the disabled communities in Europe and South America. We’re delighted to partner Fiera Milano, the organiser of ReaTech, to deliver the Asian edition, which together with concurrent thought leadership and educational events, will be an exceptional platform for all stakeholders in the regional healthcare, medical and social work arenas to gather, exchange knowledge and network.  We envision meaningful discussions to take place at RehabTech Asia, thereby maximising the health and well-being of people with disabilities, care requirements and chronic conditions.”

 

Hocoma, a Swiss-based globally active medical technology company and leader in robotic rehabilitation therapy for neurological movement disorders, is one of the 100 international exhibitors at RehabTech Asia. Mr Zen Koh, Managing Director, Hocoma Asia Pacific says, “The integration of advanced technology and rehabilitation has unlocked new possibilities for neurological patients, such as those with stroke, spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. We are committed to driving innovation and serving the needs of patients, and are proud to showcase our therapy solutions and discuss current trends in rehabilitation with the many relevant stakeholders at RehabTech Asia.”

 

Another exhibiting company, Wearnes Automotive Pte Ltd, will be showcasing the Renault Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) at RehabTech Asia. Says Mr Victor Kwan, Wearnes’ Managing Director, “In view of the limited public transport options available to disabled commuters and the growing ageing population in Singapore, Renault is thrilled to be part of RehabTech Asia 2013. This serves as an excellent platform for Renault to present a perfect solution, the Renault WAV. ”

 

Supporting the elderly and persons with disabilities in Singapore

 

As our population ages and the profile of our society undergoes an irreversible change, where one in five Singaporeans will be above the age of 65 by 2030, there is a growing interest in self-determined living and long-term healthcare. RehabTech Asia, with the rehabilitation conference and symposium, is a timely platform providing solutions and support for the increasing care requirements of the nation. These events also ensure that persons needing care have better access to opportunities for personal growth and overall quality of life through technological advances and latest medical findings.

 

Reiterating this, Mr Henry Quake, Chief Executive, Centre of Enabled Living, says,“We tend to take ability for granted in able-bodied people, but focus on the disability when it comes to the less abled and the frail elderly. RehabTech Asia showcases one way in which we can change this paradigm. With technology and rehabilitation medicine, we can start talking about abilities instead – on what is possible. This is one of the many steps we must take to build an inclusive society where everyone are integral and contributing members leading dignified lives.”

 

Besides Centre for Enabled Living, Ministry of Social & Family Development, MOH Holdings, SPRING Singapore, and TTSH are also Strategic Partners ofRehabTech Asia.