Unveiling Ceremony of Semmelweis statue: NUS Medicine and Semmelweis University forge closer collaborative ties
Published: 13 Apr 2023
Many countries in the world including Singapore ended most of COVID-19 related control measures and restrictions earlier this year. While everyone is catching up on the health efforts that were postponed during the pandemic, public health experts, doctors and nurses are rallying for one pandemic habit that people should not break—that of washing one’s hands and practising good hygiene.
Ignác Semmelweis, an early pioneer of antiseptic procedures due to his ardent advocacy of handwashing and hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics had his ideas rejected by the medical community of his time as he could not offer a theoretical explanation to support his findings that hand-washing led to reduced mortality, an important finding in the 18th century that still holds true today. His observations were later proven to be right only much later on by Louis Pasteur’s research on germs.
To honour medical breakthroughs and collaboration between Semmelweis University and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, a gift of his statue from Memorial Committee was accepted and the unveiling of which took place in Singapore. The unveiling ceremony was graced by Her Excellency, Judit Pach, Ambassador of Hungary to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam and Her Excellency, Ng Shin Ein, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Joining them are representatives from Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine including Dean of NUS Medicine Prof Chong Yap Seng, Prof John Eu-li Wong, Executive Director of Centre for Population Health, and Prof Chng Wee Joo, Vice-Dean of Research, NUS Medicine and representatives from Semmelweis University, Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely, Rector and Prof. Attila Szabó, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs, President of the Clinical Center. Semmelweis University is a research-led medical school in Budapest, Hungary, founded in 1769. The statue was gifted by Semmelweis Memorial Committee to Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine as a nod to potential collaboration in areas of research and academic interest, including healthy longevity and molecular imaging, and more.
Unveiling of Ignác Semmelweis Statue
From left, Prof Béla, Rector of Semmelweis University, Her Excellency, H.E. Judit Pach, Ambassador of Hungary to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, Her Excellency, Ng Shin Ein, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary, Prof Chong Yap Seng Dean, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Prof John Eu-Li Wong Executive Director, Centre for Population Health, NUS.
“…… it is not enough to simply produce knowledge; knowledge needs to be shared in order for other to build upon, challenge and elevate it. This is why NUS Medicine is continuously looking to forge strong partnerships with many academic and scientific institutions around the world. We are fortunate to connect with Semmelweis University, an institution that aligns with our School’s vision to inspire health for all.” – Prof Chong Yap Seng shares his heartfelt thanks to Semmelweis University for the collaboration.
Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) represented the school in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary last November.
Read more about it here: https://medicine.nus.edu.sg/news/nus-medicine-signs-mou-with-semmelweis-university-on-collaboration-in-education-and-research/
The Ignác Semmelweis statue
