Singapore is set to transform its rehabilitation care landscape with the introduction of Rehability, the nation’s first postgraduate training ecosystem for allied health professionals. Developed by NHG Health and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), with support from the Lien Foundation, this initiative aims to address the increasing complexity of rehabilitation needs due to an ageing population and a rise in chronic diseases.
Rehability offers a three-tiered training programme designed to enhance the skills of physiotherapists. The first tier focuses on community-based training, developed in collaboration with partners AWWA and SPD, to upskill healthcare workers. The second tier introduces a Residency Programme, blending classroom learning with workplace-based supervision, culminating in postgraduate qualifications. The final tier offers a Specialist Certificate in Advanced Practice Physiotherapy, enabling experienced physiotherapists to expand their practice scope.
The programme is expected to empower physiotherapists to become first contact practitioners, capable of diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries and potentially ordering X-rays in consultation with doctors. Lien Foundation has committed $2.98m (S$4.08m) to support the programme’s development and delivery.
Doreen Yeo, Co-Director of the NHG Rehabilitation Health Academic Clinical Programme, stated, “Rehability marks a pivotal moment for allied health in Singapore. We are forging a stronger and more comprehensive rehabilitation ecosystem.”
The first intake for the Residency Programme is scheduled for July 2026, with the Master of Science in Rehabilitation Health programme commencing in 2028. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s physiotherapy workforce, ensuring high-quality care for patients across the nation.
