23 October 2003

On 23 October 2003, a milestone was established when the STL was officially opened by Mr. Tan Tee How, CEO of the National Healthcare Group (NHG) and Professor Chong Chi Tat, Provost of the National University of Singapore (NUS).

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the two parties to promote simulation training, to optimize the use of resources, and to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to training.

The Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre (MISC) is an important part of the STL. The MISC was founded in 1993 and is now the first multidisciplinary STL in Singapore to involve surgical subspecialties such as General Surgery, Urology, Cardiothoracic, Paediatric, Orthopaedic, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, and Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery.

The facilities of the MISC include not only Laparoscopic Virtual Simulator and Human Simulators, but also high technology educational facilities like interactive CD-Rom, dynamic website, 3D-graphics software, and telebroadcasting.

Studies have shown that laparoscopic virtual simulator training for surgical trainees are significantly beneficial and basic skills achieved by systematic training with a computer-based laparoscopic simulator can be transferred to the operating room.

The NHG College, MISC, NUH, and NUS have organized a series of basic and advanced laparoscopic courses for 2003-2004 for training local and regional surgeons. A dedicated software for E-training and Online Proctoring of the laparoscopic trainee will also be started in December 2003.

Channel NewsAsia and the Strait Times covered the opening, and Professor Michael Li from the Pamela Youde Hospital in Hong Kong posted a congratulatory note.