HSEU members will have access to subsidised preventive wellness support, outreach programmes and future skills upgrading opportunities under a new partnership between HSEU, NovaHealth TCM Clinic and AiTreat.
Healthcare workers will soon have better access to subsidised preventive care, wellness support and future skills upgrading under a new agreement signed by the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU), NovaHealth TCM Clinic and health technology company AiTreat.
The partnership aims to help workers better manage the physical and mental demands of healthcare work, while supporting a more resilient and sustainable workforce.
Speaking at the signing on 6 March 2026, HSEU President K Thanaletchimi said the partnership marks an important milestone for the union as it continues to support the well-being and long-term sustainability of healthcare workers.
She said HSEU’s priority goes beyond employment rights to also include members’ physical well-being, mental resilience, and long-term employability and career sustainability.
Healthcare professionals face long and irregular shifts, high patient loads, repetitive and physically demanding work, and emotionally intensive environments.
These pressures can lead to musculoskeletal strain, burnout, fatigue, sleep disruption and accumulated stress, said Ms Thanaletchimi, who is also NTUC’s president.
If left unaddressed, they can affect not just individual workers, but the resilience of the healthcare sector, she added.
Ms Thanaletchimi added: “Healthcare workers are the backbone of Singapore’s healthcare system. Beyond employment rights, HSEU’s priority is to uplift, protect, and advance our members holistically.”
Under the partnership, HSEU members will gain access to preventive, data-driven wellness support powered by EMMA (Expert Manipulative Massage Automation).
EMMA is an AI-powered robotic massage system developed by Singapore’s medical technology company AiTreat, based on research from the Nanyang Technological University.
EMMA primarily uses computer vision for spine recognition and feature-point detection, and machine learning for stiffness detection.
It also delivers consistent, targeted acupressure and spinal analysis, combining advanced robotics with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles to support early intervention, muscle relief, and spinal care for healthcare workers.
Ms Thanaletchimi said the initiative will also focus on early identification of physical strain, structured recovery and preventive care, as well as holistic wellness programmes to support workforce resilience.
HSEU Executive Secretary Steven Goh added that through the adoption of technology in newer TCM capabilities, healthcare providers can lower costs to consumers while providing effective and targeted treatment.
These services will be offered at specially subsidised rates for HSEU members, helping to improve access to care.
NovaHealth, the clinical arm of AiTreat, will also work with HSEU on joint outreach and wellness education programmes as part of the collaboration.
The partnership also has a longer-term workforce development angle.
In 2026, NovaHealth will work with HSEU under the Company Training Committee (CTC) framework to support workplace transformation, skills upgrading and stronger workforce capabilities.
Ms Thanaletchimi said the collaboration reflects HSEU’s commitment to proactive and preventive solutions, adding that healthy workers contribute to better care delivery, higher productivity and a more sustainable healthcare system.
She added: “Today’s MOU [memorandum of understanding] is more than a collaboration. It is a shared commitment to care for those who care for others.”
