Dr Desmond Wai

Dr Desmond Wai Gastroenterologist
Hepatologist
Healthcare
Specialist
Medical
www.drdesmondwai.com
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https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-time-to-consider-starting-colorectal-cancer-screening-at-45I wrote this...
09/09/2026

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-time-to-consider-starting-colorectal-cancer-screening-at-45
I wrote this letter and was published on Straits Times Forum on 10 Sept 2026
Recently, a local celebrity, Mr Sheikh, shared he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at age 49
Singapore MOH recommends screening of colon cancer from age 50. But about 10-12% of colon cancer in Singapore occur in people below age 50.
We are missing these cancer at current guidelines
The American Cancer Society has lowered the age of colon cancer screening to 45 since 2018
Screening colonoscopy helps detect early cancer, and also detects and removes colon polyp which are precancerous. Screening colonoscopy has been proven to improve cure rate of colon cancer and survival
Should we follow the American guidelines to save more people from colon cancer?
www.drdesmondwai.com

#韦俊韬






Forum: Help more patients accept palliative care via greater public awareness and insurance supporthttps://www.straitsti...
11/08/2026

Forum: Help more patients accept palliative care via greater public awareness and insurance support

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-strengthen-palliative-care-through-better-public-understanding-and-insurance-support

Misperceptions about palliative care are that

1. Its NOT euthanasia. We are still managing their medical problems: chronic and acute

2. We DO NOT abandon. We are feeding patients, and providing comfort measures

I shared an example of a patient of mine, with advanced liver cancer and cirrhosis. I managed her ascites, encephalopathy. She was not in pain or discomfort till she passed away, about 1 year after diagnosis

For subsidised patients, government subsidy must continue when terminally ill patients are transferred for home or inpatient hospice care

For private patients with integrated shieldplans, insurance coverage should continue

Otherwise, patients with terminally illnesses would prefer to be managed in acute hospitals

www.drdesmondwai.com



#韦俊韬







https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-many-factors-contribute-to-overservicing-in-healthcareI wrote this to S...
28/07/2026

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-many-factors-contribute-to-overservicing-in-healthcare

I wrote this to ST and was published in ST Forum on 28 July 2026

My points

1. Overservicing is not prevalent

2. Buffett syndrome, ie, anyhow do, anyhow operate, anyhow charge, is almost impossible. MOH has claims management office that does audits. Insurance companies have audit and claims and preapproval dept to scrutinise medical treatment

3. Defensive medicine plays a role

4. Chatgpt and media play a role

www.drdesmondwai.com



#韦俊韬









https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DsMq3WsFy/遭深伪成“壮阳专家” 肛肠科医生报警https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260602-914...
04/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DsMq3WsFy/

遭深伪成“壮阳专家” 肛肠科医生报警

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260602-9141840?utm_source=android-share&utm_medium=app

I made a police report as a friend sent me a video of me selling male potency herbs!

Its deep fake AI. I wont share here as I dont want people to be misled

But the emotion, facial expression, lip movements are like real

The voice was not mind though

My IT savvy friends told me its not difficult to use deep fake AI app to make such videos

Do be careful and do not believe all on the internet

And before you click onto any link, be super careful

www.drdesmondwai.com



#韦俊韬





Lack of general use of AI in healthcareI wrote this letter to FORUM and was published on Straits Times on 4 June 2026I u...
04/06/2026

Lack of general use of AI in healthcare

I wrote this letter to FORUM and was published on Straits Times on 4 June 2026

I use the example of AI Scribes, an AI tool commonly used in healthcare worldwide that is supposed to make healthcare delivery more efficient

Doctors no longer need to type or write the case notes

AI Scribes, available from many AI companies, listen to the consultation and interaction, dictate them, and summarise them

I have tried a prototype and I found :

1. I need to check every dictation and summary it writes as it makes mistakes. I end up spending more time checking

2. I have concerns about patient data confidentiality, privacy, and consent

3. It has added cost

Do you use AI in your job? Do you face similar issues?

www.drdesmondwai.com



#韦俊韬







https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-using-ai-in-healthcare-must-be-worth-the-time-and-cost?ref=forum

I wrote this to Straits Times and was published on 18 May 2026I am concerned about one MP criticising AVS, a professiona...
18/05/2026

I wrote this to Straits Times and was published on 18 May 2026
I am concerned about one MP criticising AVS, a professional disciplinary body that regulates vets
Not all truths and findings were shared in parliament
Minister of State, Alvin Tan 陈圣辉 has to do an internal review to reply

Yes, the MP may have won the vote of the complainant.
But he has also undermined public confidence to AVS

I hope Jamus Lim stops doing this. Otherwise, there will be long line of people asking him to speak on similar items, like against a school, a traffic ticket, a dentist, a doctor, etc

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-advocacy-for-constituents-should-be-done-with-care-to-maintain-public-trust

Forum: Clarity over doctor’s criminal prosecution would be usefulhttps://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-clarit...
18/03/2026

Forum: Clarity over doctor’s criminal prosecution would be useful
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-clarity-over-doctors-criminal-prosecution-would-be-useful

i wrote this to Straits Times Forum, published on 18 March 2026
i wish the relevant authorities can enlighten us precisely when and under what circumstances would a dr be charged for criminal negligence

i agree bad dr ought to be punished

but we dont want others to practise defensively

www.drdesmondwai.com

#韦俊韬


My interview with ShinMin Daily on 28 Feb 2026I spoke on the medical side of 15microgram/100ml breathIt equates to about...
28/02/2026

My interview with ShinMin Daily on 28 Feb 2026
I spoke on the medical side of 15microgram/100ml breath
It equates to about a normal guy taking one can of beer, or one glass of wine, then it will take about 1 hour to metabolise the alcohol to safe, legal limit
But there are variable in our metabolism of alcohol, including gender, body weight, prior alcohol intake, and the liver health.
Take home advice:
1. If you drive to a party, dont drink
2. If you plan to drink at a party, dont drive
3. if you drive to a party and had a few drinks, call for Grab or concierge service to ask people come drive you back in your car
4. if you drink at a party but insist on driving back, then please estimate it takes at least one hour to metabolise one unit of alcohol. So if you had a glass of wine, drive back at least 1 hour after the drink.

www.drdesmondwai.com

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-to-tighten-demerit-points-system-lower-alcohol-limits-amid-worsening-road-traffic-situation

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-central-coordination-can-reduce-duplication-in-healthcare-ai https://ww...
19/02/2026

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-central-coordination-can-reduce-duplication-in-healthcare-ai
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ai-missions-healthcare-finance-sectors-sme-budget-2026-5929931?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_19022026_cna

I wrote this to Straits Times Forum, and the letter is published today
It is a great idea to have a national AI council, to coordinate AI research and AI implementation
There is duplication when all 3 health clusters do similar AI research for similar function

www.drdesmondwai.com

#韦俊韬


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Mt E Novena Hospital Specialist Center #06-35, 38 Irrawaddy Road
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