It takes IT to enable teamwork to aid in delivering healthcare

IT takes a village to raise a child, says a traditional African proverb. A child can best become a healthy adult if the entire village or community takes an active role in contributing to the rearing of the child.

Likewise, it now takes a team to heal the sick, especially the chronic sick, the aged, and the infirm. The "team" should include not just doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, but also family members, caregivers and social workers. This is all the more necessary today than ever before. That's because the nature of modern sickness is transforming the nurture requirements of chronically-ill patients.

The four key ailments that commonly afflict Singaporeans are diabetes, cancer, dementia and stroke. Given the range and sophistication of treatments available, most patients diagnosed with these diseases are more likely to survive - than die - over a prolonged period. The top three leading causes of death in Singapore are cancers (about 30 per cent of all deaths), pneumonia (19 per cent) and heart diseases (17 per cent), according to the Ministry of Health.