Traditional Chinese Medicine: Is It a Dying or Growing Trade in Singapore?

Ever visited a sinseh (traditional Chinese doctors) at a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic when you sprained your leg or drank a bottle of liang teh (herbal tea) to ease a bad throat?

For some of you, you might even try ba guan (cupping) or tui na (Chinese massage) which are drug-free pain relief treatments commonly used for muscle strains and aches.

Growing up, I’ve had my fair share of encounters with TCM – from drinking tonics to “boost” my brain power during exam days to adjusting my “qi” (energy) during a period when things were hectic. In fact, when I first sprained my ankle, I was brought to a sinseh for tui na.

Extremely painful but it helped with the swelling.

But recently I’ve taken notice that TCM clinics are filled with either middle-aged or non-locals employees, and many of those that I used to frequent have closed down.

This made me think of the possible reasons: Is it because of an aging practitioner population, rising rental costs, and increasing competition from other healthcare providers?

While I have these questions in my mind, the Singapore government has recognised the importance of TCM and has taken steps to support the industry.

Additionally, TCM is becoming increasingly integrated into mainstream healthcare in Singapore, with public hospitals such as Singapore General Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital offering TCM services alongside conventional treatments.

With that said, let’s take a deeper look at whether this is a dying or growing industry in Singapore.

TL;DR: Is Traditional Chinese Medicine a Dying or Growing Trade in Singapore?

Click here to jump:

• Overview of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry in Singapore
• How to become a TCM practitioner in Singapore?
• Is the industry dying or booming in Singapore?

Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry in Singapore

Chinese medicine has been around for thousands of years and has gained popularity worldwide due to its effectiveness in treating a variety of ailments. In short, it emphasises on finding balance and harmony within the body, using a combination of herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage, and dietary therapy to restore health and prevent illness.

This is a preferred treatment approach for those who have a preference for natural remedies, or dissatisfaction with the side effects of prescription medications.

Most of the time, it’s more preventive than reactive in nature as it emphasises on early detection and treatment of imbalances or disharmonies in the body, before they progress to more serious illnesses.

And if you’re wondering if TCM can also be used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments for best results to treat existing health conditions, yes, it can.

How Many TCM Practitioners Are There in Singapore?

Based on a survey by the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association in 2019, majority of TCM practitioners registered then were between 50 and 59 years old, which was about 28.5 per cent, followed by those who were between 50 and 69 years old, at 26.2 per cent.

I guess… this pretty much explains why I rarely see Millenials or Gen Zs at TCMs.

The demographics of the TCM students in Singapore is indeed middle-aged or older, and this could mean that TCM might be as a second career or a way to pursue a passion later in life.

As at 31 December 2021, there were a total of 3,319 registered TCM practitioners in Singapore. 3,069 were registered as TCM physicians, of which 1,089 were also registered as acupuncturists. 250 TCM practitioners were registered as acupuncturists only. This is a slight increase from the 3,271 registered practitioners in 2020.

However, that’s not to say that the industry does not attract youngsters.

There are efforts to attract younger people to the TCM profession including the introduction of TCM courses in local polytechnics and universities. The hope is that this will help to rejuvenate the industry and ensure that there is a new generation of TCM practitioners to carry on the tradition.

Okay, breathe.

What Are the Different Types of TCM Treatments in Singapore?

For those who are new to TCM, these are the various treatments available in Singapore:

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How To Become A TCM Physician in Singapore?

There are two ways to pursue a career in traditional chinese medicine — getting a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma.

For those who are keen on pursuing a degree, Nanyang Technological University offers a five-year Double Degree B.Sc. (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences & B.Medicine (Chinese Medicine) programme. Similarly, the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine also offers a full-time five-year Bachelor Degree Course in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Chinese) programme.

As for those who might want a mid-career switch, the Institute of Chinese Medical Studies Pte Ltd offers a part-time Advanced Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine programme which lasts for about seven years.

There are also short introductory courses for those who aren’t sure if this is where your passion lies in this field:

• Introductory Course in Traditional Chinese Medicine – Confucius Institute, Nanyang Technological University
• Certificate in TCM Intermediate – TCM and Healthcare College

How Much Do TCM Practitioners Earn in Singapore?

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a TCM Physician is $8,700 per month in the Singapore area, with an average median salary of $3,000 per month.

The estimated additional pay is $5,700 per month, which could include cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit sharing.

For the uninitiated, a Nanyang Technological University Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine fresh graduate’s starting pay is $3,415 (mean) and $3,175 (median) based on Graduate Employment Survey 2022. A look through Glassdoor and you can find that the base pay at Eu Yan Seng is about $2,800 per month and Singapore Thong Chai Medical Institution is about $3,000 per month.

I’d suggest seeing $8,700 with a pinch of salt though, simply because companies differ in their benefits and human resource policies.

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So, Is The Industry Booming Or Dying in Singapore?

There are a few reasons why some people may say that the TCM industry in Singapore is declining, and one of them is the lack of scientific evidence to support the efficacy and safety of TCM treatments.

This is especially so when news of companies blatantly scamming customers of their hard-earned money or creating falsehoods pertaining to certain remedies.

While some studies have shown promising results for certain TCM therapies, more rigorous research is needed to establish their effectiveness. On a related note, the cultural and language barriers might have also make it difficult for Westerners to understand and accept TCM concepts and practices, therefore this imposes a challenge for people to grasp.

What about the safety and quality of some TCM products, particularly those sold online or imported from overseas? Some might have concerns that these products may contain harmful substances or be contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, or even parts of endangered species.

Still, it might be too early to say whether the industry is dying or booming.

Growing Interest In Holistic And Preventive Healthcare

Growing Interest In Holistic And Preventive Healthcare

For those who are unfamiliar with the HealthierSG movement, this is a healthcare movement launched last year to push for preventive care instead of reactive care at the onset, and seeks to tackle the challenges imposed by an aging population and the impact of chronic illnesses.

TCM remains a popular form of healthcare in Singapore and many people continue to seek out TCM treatments for a variety of health issues, especially those looking for natural alternatives to conventional medicine.

It’s worth noting that TCM services are also offered in some public hospitals and polyclinics in Singapore, alongside conventional medical treatments. There’s a high chance that you can make claims for TCM treatments when you’re purchasing a personal accident or hospitalisation & surgery insurance.

This integration of TCM into mainstream healthcare may also impact the number of TCM clinics in Singapore in the future.

With preventive care being the core of HealthierSG, the Ministry of Health and the TCM community have established two work groups, to work on issues such as enhancing TCM clinical training and improving career development.

In Minister Ong Ye Kung’s words:

“TCM will be a part of Singapore’s preventive care strategy that will shift the gravity of care from hospitals to the community. But TCM will not and cannot substitute Western medicine. They are two separate systems, disciplines and know-how. They may intersect and overlap, but one cannot be expected to be like the other.”

Cost Effectiveness of TCM Treatments

With rising healthcare costs, TCM treatments might be more cost-effective as treatment durations may take more than 30 minutes, and that would mean lower cost per minute compared to a 10 minutes consultation with a doctor at the clinic.

Unfortunately, you still can’t use MediSave for TCM procedures and therapies in Singapore, but there have been calls to include this in the HealthierSG movement.

Regulatory Bodies Being Set Up

The Ministry of Health has established the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board to regulate the practice of TCM and ensure the quality of TCM education and training.

Besides that, the Health Sciences Authority regulates TCM products in Singapore, and the Singapore Accreditation Council ensures TCM institutions meet the necessary standards and provide high-quality TCM education and training.

This can help to increase the credibility and acceptance of TCM among healthcare professionals and the general public.

Personalised Treatment Approach

TCM takes a personalised approach to healthcare, with treatments tailored to each individual’s unique needs and conditions.

This can be appealing to many people who are looking for a more holistic and personalised approach to their health.

It is possible that the aging population in Singapore could lead to more people taking up TCM, as traditional medicine is often sought out by older adults for its potential health benefits and focus on holistic care. As people age, they may also develop chronic health conditions that may be treated with TCM in conjunction with Western medicine.

Additionally, as people become more health conscious and interested in alternative medicine, there may be an increased interest in TCM among younger generations as well. According to NTU, about 150 students apply to join its double degree programme each year but the course takes in only about 30 annually.

Nonetheless, more efforts have to be channeled to attract younger audiences. There should also be more transparency in disclosing details about salary and the different practices so that they are more well-informed about career progression in this industry.

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Afterthoughts

The TCM industry in Singapore is facing challenges, but it is too early to say whether it is dying. The industry may need to adapt and innovate to meet the changing needs and preferences of Singaporeans, but with government support and growing acceptance of TCM, it may still have a bright future ahead.

There may be a lack of awareness and understanding about TCM and its potential benefits, which can lead to misconceptions and skepticism among some people. It is important to note that the TCM industry in Singapore is still growing and evolving, with many TCM practitioners and businesses adapting to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers.

As more research is conducted and the benefits of TCM become better understood, it is possible that attitudes toward TCM will become more positive and receptive in the future.

What are your thoughts on this industry? Share them with the Seedly Community!

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