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The National University Centre for Digestive Health heralds a new era of care through quicker cross-referrals to surgical specialties, strengthened community partnerships and patient-friendly treatment delivery
SINGAPORE, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digestive health is central to overall well-being, influencing nutrition, immunity, and quality of life. Yet common conditions, such as ulcers, liver disease, and colorectal disorders, often go undetected until they lead to serious complications. To address this, the National University Hospital (NUH) has officially opened the National University Centre for Digestive Health (NUCD), a facility dedicated to early detection, advanced treatment, and seamless patient care for digestive diseases.
Since its concept launch in 2024, NUCD has focused on consolidating NUH's digestive health services under one roof to provide greater convenience for patients. Its reach extends beyond NUH, serving as a referral hub for complex cases from other hospitals within the National University Health System, including Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, ensuring patients receive specialised care when needed.
With its official opening, the Centre is strengthening the entire care pathway by accelerating access from initial digestive consultation to surgical expertise in Upper Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic, and Colorectal, so patients can see the right specialists on the same day. This streamlined approach reduces waiting times, minimises repeated visits, and enables faster treatment decisions for better outcomes.
Strengthening prevention: From community collaborations to clinical excellence
NUCD has contributed significantly to the clinical validation and implementation of the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and fibroscan to screen for liver fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, in high-risk patients with fatty liver and other chronic liver diseases[1]. Since September 2022, a chronic liver disease screening programme for high-risk individuals has been launched in partnership with National University Polyclinics and General Practitioners (GP) clinics. Through consultations and routine health assessments done at these clinics, asymptomatic individuals identified as potentially high-risk are referred to NUCD for comprehensive screening. To date, the Centre has screened more than 12,000 high-risk patients, facilitating earlier detection and interventions. With continuing medical education and engagement, NUCD continues to expand this network to enhance preventive care for liver health.
Another key focus of the Centre is improving the detection of colorectal cancer, often called a 'silent killer' because symptoms usually appear only in later stages. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022[2], colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths locally. To tackle this, the Centre is improving colonoscopy quality by increasing the Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR), a measure of how often doctors detect and remove precancerous polyps during the procedure.
Studies[3] show that every 1 per cent increase in ADR lowers colorectal cancer risk by 3 per cent, making these improvements a vital step in prevention. Put simply, a higher ADR means that more polyps are removed early, reducing cancer risk. New initiatives such as AI-enabled and image-enhanced colonoscopy, an automated ADR calculation system, and a dashboard displaying critical quality indicators for endoscopists have helped boost ADR at NUCD from 33.5 per cent in 2022 to 42.4 per cent in 2025, well above the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline of at least 25 per cent[4].
Making IBD care more convenient and precise
Established in 2016, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre of Excellence is now a cornerstone of NUCD, delivering advanced care across all ages - from paediatric to adult patients. Among its key innovations is the home administration of intravenous biologics, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and improving convenience.
Others include point-of-care intestinal ultrasound, which enables real-time, non-invasive assessment during clinic consultations, and a translational precision medicine programme that personalises treatment and provides access to clinical trials and novel therapies, such as faecal microbiota transplantation. The IBD Centre of Excellence also aims to play a leading role in regional education, having hosted IBD training programmes for over 100 healthcare professionals from ASEAN countries in the past five years.
"The launch of NUCD marks a significant step forward in how we care for patients with digestive conditions," said Adj A/Prof Lee Guan Huei, Centre Director, National University Centre for Digestive Health. "By bringing together advanced diagnostics, specialist expertise, and cutting-edge technology, we aim to deliver care that is faster, more precise, and patient-focused. At the same time, we are driving research into new detection methods and innovative therapies, such as blood-based diagnostic tools that reduce the need for invasive procedures while maintaining accuracy. Our goal is simple - to detect problems early, treat them well, and help our patients live healthier lives." Adj A/Prof Lee is also Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, NUH.
About the National University Hospital (NUH)
The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school.
Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for.
We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country.
The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore. For more information, visit www.nuh.com.sg
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| [1] Chew NWS, Ng CH, Chan KE, et al. FIB-4 Predicts MACE and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Can J Cardiol 2022 Nov;38(11):1779-1780. |
| [2] Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022, September 2024, https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/publications/cancer |
| [3] Corley DA, Levin TR, Doubeni CA.Adenoma detection rate and risk of colorectal cancer and death. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:2541. |
| [4] Song YM, Han KS, Kim BC, Hong CW, Kim B, Kim MC, Jin MJ, Sohn DK. Analysis of adenoma detection rate of colonoscopy among trainees. Ann Coloproctol. 2024 Dec;40(6):548-554. doi: 10.3393/ac.2023.00199.0028. Epub 2024 Aug 28. PMID: 39191316; PMCID: PMC11701454. |
The National University Centre for Digestive Health heralds a new era of care through quicker cross-referrals to surgical specialties, strengthened community partnerships and patient-friendly treatment delivery
SINGAPORE, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digestive health is central to overall well-being, influencing nutrition, immunity, and quality of life. Yet common conditions, such as ulcers, liver disease, and colorectal disorders, often go undetected until they lead to serious complications. To address this, the National University Hospital (NUH) has officially opened the National University Centre for Digestive Health (NUCD), a facility dedicated to early detection, advanced treatment, and seamless patient care for digestive diseases.
Since its concept launch in 2024, NUCD has focused on consolidating NUH's digestive health services under one roof to provide greater convenience for patients. Its reach extends beyond NUH, serving as a referral hub for complex cases from other hospitals within the National University Health System, including Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, ensuring patients receive specialised care when needed.
With its official opening, the Centre is strengthening the entire care pathway by accelerating access from initial digestive consultation to surgical expertise in Upper Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic, and Colorectal, so patients can see the right specialists on the same day. This streamlined approach reduces waiting times, minimises repeated visits, and enables faster treatment decisions for better outcomes.
Strengthening prevention: From community collaborations to clinical excellence
NUCD has contributed significantly to the clinical validation and implementation of the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and fibroscan to screen for liver fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, in high-risk patients with fatty liver and other chronic liver diseases[1]. Since September 2022, a chronic liver disease screening programme for high-risk individuals has been launched in partnership with National University Polyclinics and General Practitioners (GP) clinics. Through consultations and routine health assessments done at these clinics, asymptomatic individuals identified as potentially high-risk are referred to NUCD for comprehensive screening. To date, the Centre has screened more than 12,000 high-risk patients, facilitating earlier detection and interventions. With continuing medical education and engagement, NUCD continues to expand this network to enhance preventive care for liver health.
Another key focus of the Centre is improving the detection of colorectal cancer, often called a 'silent killer' because symptoms usually appear only in later stages. According to the Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022[2], colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths locally. To tackle this, the Centre is improving colonoscopy quality by increasing the Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR), a measure of how often doctors detect and remove precancerous polyps during the procedure.
Studies[3] show that every 1 per cent increase in ADR lowers colorectal cancer risk by 3 per cent, making these improvements a vital step in prevention. Put simply, a higher ADR means that more polyps are removed early, reducing cancer risk. New initiatives such as AI-enabled and image-enhanced colonoscopy, an automated ADR calculation system, and a dashboard displaying critical quality indicators for endoscopists have helped boost ADR at NUCD from 33.5 per cent in 2022 to 42.4 per cent in 2025, well above the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline of at least 25 per cent[4].
Making IBD care more convenient and precise
Established in 2016, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Centre of Excellence is now a cornerstone of NUCD, delivering advanced care across all ages - from paediatric to adult patients. Among its key innovations is the home administration of intravenous biologics, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and improving convenience.
Others include point-of-care intestinal ultrasound, which enables real-time, non-invasive assessment during clinic consultations, and a translational precision medicine programme that personalises treatment and provides access to clinical trials and novel therapies, such as faecal microbiota transplantation. The IBD Centre of Excellence also aims to play a leading role in regional education, having hosted IBD training programmes for over 100 healthcare professionals from ASEAN countries in the past five years.
"The launch of NUCD marks a significant step forward in how we care for patients with digestive conditions," said Adj A/Prof Lee Guan Huei, Centre Director, National University Centre for Digestive Health. "By bringing together advanced diagnostics, specialist expertise, and cutting-edge technology, we aim to deliver care that is faster, more precise, and patient-focused. At the same time, we are driving research into new detection methods and innovative therapies, such as blood-based diagnostic tools that reduce the need for invasive procedures while maintaining accuracy. Our goal is simple - to detect problems early, treat them well, and help our patients live healthier lives." Adj A/Prof Lee is also Head and Senior Consultant, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, NUH.
About the National University Hospital (NUH)
The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school.
Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for.
We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country.
The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore. For more information, visit www.nuh.com.sg
Follow us on
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
[1] Chew NWS, Ng CH, Chan KE, et al. FIB-4 Predicts MACE and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Can J Cardiol 2022 Nov;38(11):1779-1780.
[2] Singapore Cancer Registry Annual Report 2022, September 2024, https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/publications/cancer
[3] Corley DA, Levin TR, Doubeni CA.Adenoma detection rate and risk of colorectal cancer and death. N Engl J Med. 2014;370:2541.
[4] Song YM, Han KS, Kim BC, Hong CW, Kim B, Kim MC, Jin MJ, Sohn DK. Analysis of adenoma detection rate of colonoscopy among trainees. Ann Coloproctol. 2024 Dec;40(6):548-554. doi: 10.3393/ac.2023.00199.0028. Epub 2024 Aug 28. PMID: 39191316; PMCID: PMC11701454.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
NUH INAUGURATES NEW CENTRE TO ADVANCE PREDICTIVE AND ACCESSIBLE CARE FOR DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Major Retail Event for Greater Bay Area Residents
Following "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" Scheme
HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Organized by Exhibition Group, the "Grand Sale Bazaar 2026" opens today and runs until January 19 (Friday to Monday) at Hall 5,7,9 of AsiaWorld-Expo, marking a new annual mega event combining shopping and entertainment in Hong Kong. The "Grand Sale Bazaar 2026" has become one of the major retail events for Greater Bay Area residents following the implementation of the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" scheme, poised to become a new hotspot for mainland visitors shopping in Hong Kong, further promoting economic integration and consumer market development between the two regions.
The opening ceremony was officiated by Dr Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ms. Jackie Ng, Deputy Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Mr. Dennis Wong, General Manager, Business Development of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited; Mr. Sam Hui, Council Member and Past Chairman of The Chamber of HK Computer Industry; Mr. Allen Kwong, Chairman of Hong Kong Furniture and Decoration Trade Association (HKFDA); Mr. John Wong, Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Brands; Ms. May Leung, Chairman of The Professional Validation Council of Hong Kong Industries; Ms. Emily Cheung, Director of MameShare; Ms. Christine Lo, Director of Business Development, Marketing & Branding of The Payment Cards Group Limited; Ms. Teresa Ho, Senior Business Development & Marketing Manager of LBuy; Mr. Andy Wong, Founder of HK Singer Channel and Mr. Carl Wong, Chairman of the Exhibition Group.
The "Grand Sale Bazaar 2026" brings together local and international fashion apparel, beauty products, home appliances, jewelry, outdoor sports equipment, baby products, health foods, and trendy merchandise, creating an ideal shopping and leisure destination for consumers. The Bazaar has attracted over 400 booths with merchandise valued at approximately HK$100 million, offering discounts of up to 90% off original prices, providing an excellent opportunity for citizens to purchase New Year goods at exceptional value. The venue features up to 350 DGG by LBuy gachapon machines and various entertainment programs, including the "Retro Hits Concert," bringing citizens a consumer extravaganza that combines exceptional warehouse sales and shopping entertainment.
Exhibition Group Chairman Carl Wong stated: "Following the implementation of the "Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles" scheme, we hope to establish the "Grand Sale Bazaar 2026" as a shopping event that Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area consumers look forward to every year. We have strategically chosen AsiaWorld-Expo, taking full advantage of its proximity to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, making it convenient for mainland visitors to drive here. We hope that through this annual event, we can promote consumer market exchange in the Greater Bay Area and inject new momentum into Hong Kong's retail market."
Eight Major Themed Warehouse Sale Zones
The inaugural event features eight major themed warehouse sale zones, covering fashion apparel, home appliances, trendy merchandise, personal care, health foods, jewelry and watches, baby products, and outdoor sports—all popular categories among citizens. This aims to provide consumers with different needs a one-stop warehouse shopping experience. Major brands offer unprecedented warehouse sale discounts, with some items discounted up to 90% off original prices, allowing citizens to snap up their favorites at exceptional value and purchase New Year goods early.
I.T MEGA Winter Sale - Largest-Ever Warehouse Sale
Key exhibitor I.T (Booth 5-C19) occupies over 6,600 square feet, featuring over 8,000 selected trendy apparel and accessories from Europe, America, Japan, and Korea, with discounts of up to 90% off storewide. Citizens can enjoy multiple offers: an extra 10% off the total bill when purchasing 2 designated items, or an extra 20% off the total bill when purchasing 4 designated items; spend a net amount of $800 and receive an additional $100 off the total bill. Limited lucky bags are available daily at just HK$299 (valued at over HK$1,000), available in limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.
DGG by LBuy Gachapon Bazaar - 350 Gachapon Machines Adding Surprises
DGG by LBuy Gachapon Bazaar is participating in this event for the first time, featuring 350 gachapon machines offering a variety of surprise products and premium items suitable for all ages. Providing over 200 gachapon options in total, adding shopping surprises for families and young people.
Unmissable Warehouse Sale Offers
Bringing together warehouse sale offers from numerous well-known brands, the venue offers a large selection of products at half-price and 90% off exceptional values. This covers multiple categories including home electronics and audio, furniture and bedding, personal care, and food and beverages, allowing citizens to shop for everything they need in one go. The home appliance zone offers kitchen appliances, smart TVs, and home audio systems and other practical products; the home living area features quality furniture, memory pillows, and branded mattresses, with some items reduced by tens of thousands of dollars; beauty and skincare essences, imported wines, and specialty fruit liqueurs are also available at 10% off prices. Many unmissable offers are available in limited quantities while stocks last, allowing citizens to purchase their favorite items at the best prices and enjoy New Year shopping pleasures.
Shopping and Entertainment Combined - Retro Hits Concert Relives the Classics
In addition to warehouse shopping, the inaugural Bazaar has also arranged diverse stage programs and on-site experiences, including the "Retro Hits Concert," featuring Bill Ng, Edward Pao, Willie, Li Lung Kay, and other renowned singers/guests performing classic songs live, reliving the good old days and combining nostalgic and modern elements to bring unforgettable musical experiences to audiences of all ages. Citizens can grab warehouse sale bargains while enjoying spectacular performances, experiencing the dual pleasure of shopping and entertainment.
The inaugural Bazaar combines exceptional warehouse sales, shopping, entertainment, and family experiences, allowing citizens to purchase New Year goods in a relaxed manner all at once and experience the festive atmosphere of the New Year early, ensuring that every visitor has an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Grand Sale Bazaar 2026
Date
16 to 19 January 2026 (Friday to Monday)
Time
16 to 18 January (Friday to Sunday)：11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
19 January (Monday)：11:00 AM to 5:00PM
Venue
Hall 5, 7, 9, AsiaWorld-Expo
Website
https://www.exhibitiongroup.com.hk/exhibitions/grandsale2026
About Exhibition Group
Exhibition Group is one of Hong Kong's renowned exhibition companies. Our core team has been assembled since 2003, bringing together a group of innovative, experienced, and professional exhibition talents. As a leading event management company, specializing in the planning and operation of world-class public exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs, covering a wide range of industries. With years of industry experience, we are committed to the development of exhibition and marketing businesses, gaining a prestigious reputation within the exhibition industry.
Our company organizes a variety of themed exhibitions and marketing projects, which not only receive substantial support from the business community and exhibitors but also effectively attract a large number of public participants. Each event has garnered rave reviews, resulting in a win-win situation for exhibitors in both product promotion and sales. Notable exhibitions include the Pet Show, In-Home Expo, Premium Pet Supplies Expo, Hong Kong Cat Expo, Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo, Extracurricular Activities Festival cum Teaching Materials and Supplies Expo, and Hong Kong Outdoor & Sports Expo, among others. In recent years, our company has been honored with several awards, including the "Outstanding Award for Pandemic Resilience," "ESG Commendation Awards," and "Innovative Exhibition Planning," recognizing our business development achievements across various sectors.
This press release is distributed by Market Hubs Holdings Limited.
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** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
"Grand Sale Bazaar 2026" Officially Opens
