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Sincere Healthcare Group and Landmark Medical Centre Unite to Strengthen Cross-Border Patient Care Between Singapore and Johor Bahru

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Integration improves access and continuity of specialist care across Singapore–Malaysia border

SINGAPORE –

For patients, this integration translates into a more coordinated and reassuring healthcare experience — particularly for those who travel between Singapore and Johor Bahru for consultations, treatment, follow-up care or second opinions. It reflects a broader regional focus on enabling care closer to home while maintaining high clinical standards and specialist access.

Shared Medical Heritage, Aligned with Patient-Centred Care
Both Sincere and Landmark were founded by clinicians who believe that good medicine begins with ethics, compassion and respect for patients. Landmark’s clinical foundation was established by Dr Robert Luk Tai Kong and continues under the leadership of Dr Lucas Luk, Managing & Medical Director, who has guided the centre’s steady growth while preserving its patient-first ethos.

Sincere Healthcare Group was founded by Prof Ng Soon Chye, a pioneer in fertility medicine whose contributions helped shape Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the region. Today, Sincere has grown into a multi-centre healthcare group providing obstetrics and gynaecology, women’s and men’s health, fertility care, minimally invasive and robotic gynaecological surgery, and colorectal services.

“Landmark has always focused on specialised care delivered with personal attention and clinical integrity,” said Dr Lucas Luk. “Integrating with Sincere allows us to expand our specialist support while preserving what patients value most — trust, familiarity and continuity of care.”

Supporting Seamless Cross-Border Care
Cross-border healthcare has become increasingly relevant as patients seek timely access, specialist expertise and flexible care options. This integration strengthens a clear, coordinated care pathway between Singapore and Johor Bahru, aligning with broader healthcare strategies that encourage collaboration, efficiency and patient mobility across the region.

Landmark’s central location in Johor Bahru near the Woodlands entry point, combined with Sincere’s presence near Tuas, allows patients to move more easily between care settings. Services in obstetrics and gynaecology, fertility treatment, and women’s and men’s health are now better connected across the two networks.

“Our focus has always been on how patients experience care,” said Ms Koh Lee Lee, Group Chief Executive Officer of Sincere Healthcare Group. “This integration supports a more holistic and connected approach, allowing patients to receive appropriate care at the right place and time, across Singapore and Malaysia.”

Expanding Care While Preserving Trust
Importantly, Landmark Medical Centre will continue operating under its established name, care teams and clinical philosophy. Patients can expect the same familiar doctors and environment, now supported by a broader specialist network, shared clinical standards and enhanced collaboration within the Sincere group.

“Medicine should always be guided by what is right for patients,” said Prof Ng Soon Chye, Medical Chairman of Sincere Healthcare Group. “By working together, we can strengthen care pathways, share expertise and support better outcomes for the people who trust us with their health.”

Looking Ahead
The integration represents a meaningful step in building sustainable, patient-centred healthcare capacity across the Singapore–Malaysia corridor. Continued investment in medical programmes, technology and specialist collaboration will support long-term care needs while complementing national healthcare priorities focused on quality, access and continuity.

For patients, the message remains simple: more access, more expertise and the same commitment to compassionate, ethical care — now delivered through a more connected cross-border healthcare network.Hashtag: #sincerehealthcaregroup #landmarkmedicalcentre #crossborderhealthcare #womenshealth #menshealth #obgyn #gynaecology #singaporehealthcare #johorbahruhealthcare #SGhealthcare #JBhealthcare #SingaporeMalaysia #integratedcare #specialistcare #continuityofcare





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Sincere Healthcare Group Pte Ltd

Sincere Healthcare Group is a private healthcare network in Singapore and Malaysia specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G), reproductive medicine, fertility care, and advanced women’s and men’s health services. Its centres provide comprehensive programmes including IVF, andrology, prenatal care, diagnostics, minimally invasive surgery and women’s health screening. Supported by experienced specialists, modern laboratories and technology-enabled systems, Sincere serves local and international patients seeking ethical, evidence-based care. Its portfolio also includes colorectal conditions, endoscopy, colonoscopy and laparoscopic surgical services. Expanding its regional presence, Sincere has established a Patient Liaison Centre in Shanghai, China, to support patients seeking fertility consultations and coordinated cross-border care.

Landmark Medical Centre Sdn Bhd

Landmark Medical Centre is a well-established healthcare provider in Johor Bahru, founded in 2005 and recognised for its trusted legacy, strong clinical leadership, and commitment to patient-centred care. It offers multidisciplinary services with core strengths in women’s health, obstetrics and gynaecology, surgical care, and general health services. Guided by medical integrity and long-standing community relationships, Landmark continues to deliver quality medical care supported by experienced clinicians and modern clinical facilities.

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BRICS Competition Authorities Establish Task Force to Study Global Grain Trade

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – Competition authorities from BRICS countries have established a task force to conduct a joint sector inquiry into the global grain trade, marking a new step in cooperation on competition policy across international agricultural markets.

The decision was announced during the discussion “Competition Development in Global Grain Trade: Joint Efforts of BRICS Countries”, organized by the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre on the sidelines of the 23rd Session of the UNCTAD Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy in Geneva.

The event included a closed meeting of BRICS competition authorities and a public panel featuring researchers, academics and representatives of international organizations.

Discussions focused on competition in global grain markets, the growing influence of financialization and digitalization across agricultural value chains, and policy tools to improve market transparency. Participants also reviewed the findings of a joint report prepared by the BRICS Competition Centre and UNCTAD (link: https://www.bricscompetition.org/ru/grainreport) , first presented at the 9th BRICS International Competition Conference in Cape Town in 2025.

A coordinated market study

The central outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a BRICS task force that will coordinate a joint sector inquiry into global grain trade within the framework of the BRICS Working Group on Food Markets.

The task force will be co-chaired by Diogo Thomson, President of Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and Mahmoud Momtaz, Chairperson of the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA).

Thomson welcomed the initiative and proposed making competition in global grain trade a key topic at the next BRICS International Competition Conference, scheduled to take place in Brazil in 2027.

“Brazil is the only jurisdiction that has launched an investigation into digital grain trading platforms such as Covantis. I therefore strongly welcome this sector inquiry, which will help us better understand the impact of digitalization across grain supply chains and the risks it may create for competition. I also support using the BRICS Competition Centre as the coordination platform for this work,” he said.

Momtaz said one of the main conclusions of the BRICS-UNCTAD report was the significant role speculative activity plays in global grain markets.

“One of the key findings of the report presented by the BRICS Competition Centre is the extent to which speculative factors influence global grain trade. The most effective response is greater market transparency. We should not accept a situation where farmers receive only a small share of the value they create while consumers in Egypt pay excessively high prices for bread. Where does this margin accumulate, and who ultimately benefits from it? These are the questions our sector inquiry should answer,” he said.

He also proposed that the task force develop a common AI-powered price monitoring tool covering BRICS grain markets.

“Such a tool would provide the information needed for market analysis and become an important complement to the joint sector inquiry,” Momtaz added.

From analysis to policy recommendations

Hardin Ratshisusu, Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Commission of South Africa, said the study should contribute to the implementation of the BRICS Grain Exchange initiative endorsed by BRICS leaders in the Kazan Declaration (2024) and the Rio de Janeiro Declaration (2025).

“The proposal to establish a BRICS Grain Exchange should become one of the key recommendations of the sector inquiry as an innovative mechanism for restoring competition in global grain trade. Our objective is not merely to identify market problems but to develop practical recommendations that can ultimately be submitted to the leaders of our countries,” he said.

Alexey Ivanov, Director of the BRICS Competition Law and Policy Centre, said competition authorities should play a central role in designing the institutional framework of the future exchange.

“The BRICS Grain Exchange should not become another formal institution. It must serve as a practical mechanism for improving competition and market transparency. Competition authorities are uniquely positioned to identify the institutional features that will allow the exchange to achieve these objectives,” he said.

Growing international role

Frédéric Jenny, Chairmanof the OECD Competition Committee, said the initiative demonstrated the growing international role of BRICS competition authorities.

“This project illustrates how BRICS competition authorities are becoming drivers of the global competition agenda. In the past, they largely followed the lead of developed jurisdictions. That is no longer the case. There are very few examples worldwide of such close cooperation between competition authorities. This applies not only to joint market studies, but also to enforcement cooperation and competition advocacy. Rather than acting individually, you have found both the mechanisms and the political will to work together,” Jenny said.

The task force will now begin developing the methodology and work plan for the joint inquiry. Its findings are expected to provide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening competition, improving transparency in global grain trade, and supporting future BRICS initiatives in agricultural markets.

Hashtag: #BRICSCompetition

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VinFast VF 8: Blending Business and Family Leisure in an Electric SUV

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Today’s premium SUVs are expected to do more than ever before. For EVs, that expectation increasingly extends beyond the drive itself to the ownership experience that comes with it.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – There’s a reason premium SUVs remain the vehicle of choice across much of the Middle East. People here spend a lot of time in their cars, commuting between cities, shuttling between meetings, while thinking nothing of driving hundreds of kilometers over a long weekend.

A vehicle is where conference calls are taken between appointments, where children fall asleep in the back seat on the drive home, and where many of the ordinary moments of daily life quietly unfold. That is also why buyers in the region tend to value both performance and convenience, rather than simply paying for horsepower or a premium badge.

Electric vehicles have made those decisions even more nuanced. Not long ago, conversations about EVs were largely centered on battery size, driving range and charging times. Those questions still matter, but increasingly, buyers also demand a clear picture of their post-delivery ownership experience, specifically requiring convenient charging, straightforward servicing, and long-term support.

Viewed through that lens, perhaps the most interesting thing about the VinFast VF 8 isn’t any single specification. Rather, it is the way the company has approached the ownership experience around it.

Designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, the all-electric D-segment SUV combines premium styling with everyday practicality. With up to 493 km of NEDC driving range and up to 402 horsepower through its dual-motor AWD system, the VF 8 is equally at home navigating city traffic or tackling longer journeys across the region. Its spacious cabin, Level 2 driver assistance technologies and 15.6-inch infotainment display are designed with comfort in mind, whether the journey lasts twenty minutes or two hours.

In the UAE, buyers also benefit from a 10-year vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty, 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 km. These benefits strike at the heart of the EV ownership experience, especially for first-time buyers. Running low on charge before an important meeting or worrying about finding support on a long drive are precisely the kinds of concerns that can make consumers hesitate about making the switch.

Globally, VinFast has been investing heavily in the ecosystem surrounding its vehicles. Earlier this year, the company signed agreements with 29 international aftersales partners as part of its plan to expand its global service network to more than 1,100 workshops across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia during 2026. The initiative includes globally standardized technician training alongside software updates, battery inspections and technical support throughout the ownership journey.

In the UAE, VinFast works with Al Tayer Motors to provide local aftersales support while continuing to strengthen its regional service network through experienced local partners. Earlier this year, the company also signed an MoU with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved charging provider, to complement its charging ecosystem with portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside charging services.

In many ways, the Middle East’s EV market is still writing its next chapter. Buyers have more choices than ever before, but expectations are rising just as quickly. Developing a competitive electric SUV addresses only part of the equation; ensuring a seamless ownership experience may ultimately prove equally decisive.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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Alpro Launches Subsidised RM1 Ferritin Checks to Help Women Understand, Prepare and Live Well Through the Transition to Menopause

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Before Menopause, Many Women Are Already Struggling in Silence

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 July 2026 – Perimenopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, yet many women enter this transition without fully understanding what is happening to their bodies or knowing where to seek support.

Group photo with representatives, guests and attendees at the Me. NO PAUSE Official Launching Ceremony.

While menopause is becoming more widely discussed, the years leading up to it often receive far less attention. During perimenopause, women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, energy levels, concentration, sleep, mood and overall well-being. These changes may begin several years before menopause and can gradually affect a woman’s daily life, work and family responsibilities.

Recognising the need for earlier awareness and support, Alpro Pharmacy has launched Me. NO PAUSE, a women’s health initiative designed to help women better understand, prepare for and live well through the transition to menopause.
As part of the initiative, Alpro is offering eligible women a subsidised ferritin check for only RM1, compared with the normal price of RM35. Alpro is subsidising RM34 of the screening cost to make iron-store assessment more affordable and accessible within the community.
Women aged 35 and above, particularly those experiencing persistent tiredness, brain fog, hair loss, or brittle nails, are encouraged to undergo a ferritin check and speak with a healthcare professional about their results.

The fatigue women are expected to live with

Women in their late thirties, forties, and early fifties often carry multiple responsibilities at home, at work, and within their communities. Persistent exhaustion or difficulty concentrating may therefore be dismissed as stress, lack of sleep, ageing or simply part of having a busy life.

However, these symptoms deserve attention rather than automatic acceptance.
Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body. A ferritin check helps assess a person’s iron stores and may identify low iron levels before the condition progresses to iron-deficiency anaemia.
Symptoms such as tiredness and brain fog are non-specific and may have many possible causes. Nevertheless, checking ferritin levels provides women with an opportunity to explore a frequently overlooked possibility and receive appropriate professional guidance.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Health has reported that approximately one in three Malaysian women of reproductive age, between 15 and 49 years old, experiences anaemia. Despite the scale of the issue, ferritin testing is not commonly discussed as part of routine health screening among women.
Through Me. NO PAUSE, Alpro aims to change that conversation.

“Women are often expected to keep functioning even when they feel persistently exhausted, mentally foggy or simply unlike themselves. These experiences are easily dismissed as stress, age or the result of having too many responsibilities,” said Ph. Ng Yi Ling, Professional Care & Development and Project Lead of Me. No Pause from Alpro Pharmacy.
“We want to move the conversation earlier, before women reach menopause and before exhaustion becomes something they believe they simply have to tolerate. The RM1 price is not merely a promotion; it represents Alpro’s commitment to removing cost as the first barrier to screening.”
“A ferritin check can help a woman understand whether low iron stores may be part of the picture, speak to a pharmacist and take the next appropriate step. Her tiredness deserves to be heard, her concerns deserve to be taken seriously, and her health should never come last.”
Emerging research has also drawn attention to the possible relationship between iron status and cognitive performance during the menopausal transition.
A study published in the scientific journal Nutrients in 2025 examined non-anaemic women going through the menopausal transition. The researchers observed that better iron status was associated with stronger cognitive performance, including greater accuracy, better discrimination and faster response times.
The researchers emphasised that the findings were preliminary and that larger, longer-term studies are required. Nevertheless, the research highlights the importance of better understanding iron status in women who may experience brain fog during perimenopause, even when they have not been diagnosed with anaemia.
Supporting this mission, Powerlife, a leading health supplement provider in Malaysia, has stepped forward as the main partner of Me. No Pause to improve access to ferritin screening for women nationwide, with 300 Ferritin analysers from Global Science using handheld fluorescence technology to provide results within minutes, available at all Alpro Pharmacy.
The launch of Me. NO PAUSE was also attended by representatives from the Malaysian Pharmacists Society Special Interest Group on Women and Child Health and from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), bringing together community pharmacy practice and academic research to support women’s health.
“Community pharmacists play an important role in making women’s health screening more accessible, approachable and connected to timely action,” said Ms Harpreet Kaur, representing the Malaysian Pharmacists Society Special Interest Group on Women and Child Health.
“Through this initiative, we hope to empower pharmacists to identify women who may be at risk of iron deficiency, provide timely counselling and connect them to appropriate care when further medical assessment is required.”

Representing the Faculty of Pharmacy, UiTM, Associate Professor Dr Mahmathi Karuppannan said:

“Research helps us better understand the burden, level of awareness and health impact of iron deficiency among women in Malaysia. Through this collaboration, UiTM hopes to generate meaningful local insights that can guide public education, early risk detection and the development of future women’s health interventions.”
By connecting accessible screening with pharmacist counselling and appropriate referral pathways, Alpro aims to translate awareness into meaningful, responsible health action.
Women aged 35 and above who experience persistent tiredness, brain fog, hair loss or brittle nails are encouraged to visit their nearest Alpro Pharmacy to learn more about ferritin checks and speak with an Alpro pharmacist.
Through Me. NO PAUSE, Alpro hopes to help more women feel heard, informed and supported before, during and beyond the transition to menopause.

Hashtag: #Alpro

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About Alpro Group

Founded in 2002, Alpro Group’s ecosystem has grown to include Alpro Pharmacy, Apotek Alpro, Alpro スギ (Sugi) Pharmacy, Alpro Physio, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Baby, Alpro OptiSaver, Alpro Audiology, Alpro Health, and Alpro Foundation. Supported by a team of more than 1,000 healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, nutritionists, dietitians, physiotherapists, optometrist and many others, Alpro serves over 5 million families in Malaysia and Indonesia through its extensive network of 500 physical outlets.

Alpro Pharmacy is the first and only community pharmacy in the region to offer product liability insurance of MYR 1 million in Malaysia and IDR 3 billion in Indonesia, ensuring the supply of genuine medications and enhancing consumer trust.

With the vision of a healthy and vibrant world, Alpro Group aims to become the No. 1 prescription pharmacy chain in Southeast Asia.

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