Glorious Era or Cost Dilemma?

Prof Arthur Lim, MD (Hon), FRCS

Director, Eye Clinic Singapura, Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore

Clinical Professor, Dept of Ophthalmology, National University of Singapore

Chairman, Lions SaveSight Centre (Singapore)

Founding Director, Singapore National Eye Centre

Founding Chairman, Singapore Eye Research Institute

Glorious Era or Cost Dilemma? Health Cost: The Trillion-Dollar Crisis of the 21st Century (click to download full paper)

Most things and situations change all the time. In the 19th century, Europe dominated the world. In the 20th century, the Americans developed outstanding research centres.

The 21st century will see the emergence of Asian doctors competing with the best in the world.

The escalating healthcare costs are related to advanced technology, ageing issues and more patients demanding the best. With quality care for all and changing ethical issues, can we still enjoy glorious medical advances?

Never has it been more important for governments, investors, doctors and patients to address the cost dilemma. Will the glorious era in medicine ever emerge again? In January 2001, top leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos argued that research development will belittle the billions made by Bill Gates because the dollar value will be in the trillions. The good news is, research doctors will be the creators of the trillion-dollar advances.

Let us be reminded that success in this area depends on good doctors and not on administrators. Roosevelt of USA stated: “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena whose face is marred by blood, sweat and dust”.

Two important ethical principles must prevail: "Do no harm" and "The interests of patients must always be foremost". As we embrace the knowledge era, will the power of large institutions shift to individuals with knowledge? Will this create wonderful opportunities for the agile mind? Doctors need to examine the principles that elevated the profession to honour and high esteem and ask themselves: "Have we helped the millions afflicted with disease?"