April 9, 2009
The Pro
Medical detective
Public health physician Teoh Yee Leong, 40, director of clinical R&D and medical affairs, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, searches for clues for the cause of disease outbreaks. POON CHIAN HUI reports
I decided to specialise in public health medicine because...
I enjoyed my experience as a young doctor in the Ministry of Environment so much that I decided to pursue a career in public health medicine.
As a public health doctor, I look after the health of the population through my recommendations to the Ministry of Health. These include the use of vaccinations and disease detection and isolation methods.
I find it very challenging and satisfying to contribute to society in this way.
Disease prevention is fascinating because...
People may not know that many diseases can be prevented. By the time they are diagnosed with these diseases, it may be too late.
Besides, prevention is always better than cure. Early screening, leading a healthy lifestyle and vaccinations are simple ways to shield yourself from these diseases.
If I were to give an analogy for what I do, I'd be a...
Medical detective. I look for clues to find out the cause of a disease outbreak. Then, I devise a plan to control its spread and to protect the health of the population.
I have come across all types of cases...
The cause of a disease outbreak can be very unexpected.
One of the most interesting cases in my 15-year career was in 1996. I led a group of public health inspectors to investigate a nationwide paratyphoid outbreak in Singapore, when more than 160 people fell sick. The cause of the outbreak was eventually traced to the consumption of imported coconuts.
A typical day for me would be...
I review the clinical trials of preventive vaccines being conducted in the various hospitals when I arrive at my office at 9am.
In the afternoon, I may go to hospitals to give talks to doctors on the latest strategies in infectious disease prevention. I also spend some time answering medical enquiries by e-mail, fax and phone. I also have regular meetings with other public health physicians.
If I am not travelling overseas for meetings or conferences, I spend the evening at home with my wife, who is the director of a consultancy firm, and our three-year-old son. Once a year, as an adjunct professor at the National University of Singapore, I lecture medical students on the prevention of infectious diseases.
I love people who are...
Proactive in keeping themselves healthy and who influence their family and friends to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
People who get my goat are...
Selfish people who take infectious diseases lightly. As a result, they threaten the health of people around them. For example, a person who has chickenpox should stay at home instead of going to public places as he may spread the infection to others.
One little known fact about infectious diseases is...
Not every infected person falls sick. For example, only 10 per cent of those infected with the dengue virus develop a fever. The other 90 per cent do not show any symptoms. However, these people carry the virus in their bodies and may transmit the disease to others.
Things that put a smile on my face are...
When statistics show that public health is improving. For example, measles used to be very common in Singapore, but now it is rare. Vaccination programmes and a good public health infrastructure - clean water supply, proper drainage and sewage - have drastically reduced the incidence of such diseases.
It breaks my heart when...
People die from infectious diseases like dengue, Aids and hepatitis-B. It is heartbreaking because these diseases are preventable.
I wouldn't trade places for the world because...
I am the doctor for the country and it is satisfying to look after the health of the nation.
My best tip...
Practise good personal hygiene. Get yourself vaccinated and be socially responsible. These actions can seriously reduce the risk of infection for you, as well as others.
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