SINGAPORE- More than $32.5 million was raised over a period of two years to advance medical research and education here. The monies raised will supplement government funding in innovation and research.

The fundraising, which was started in September 2015 by healthcare institutions that are part of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC), culminated with the biennial SingHealth Duke-NUS Gala Dinner 2017 on Sunday (Sept 3).

More than 700 guests attended the dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.

The Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence, Mr Ong Ye Kung, was the guest of honour and witnessed cheque presentations from four major donors in support of research and education programmes in paediatrics, infectious diseases, cardiovascular sciences and rheumatology.

The amount raised included eight donations of $1 million or more in five clinical areas. Ten new named funds were also established, including a new professorship at SingHealth Duke-NUS AMC.

Professor Thomas Coffman, dean of the Duke-NUS Medical School, said the partnership helped to enhance medical practices and improve patients' lives.

"The successes of our academic programmes hinge on support from private philanthropy. These gifts nurture and encourage innovation and creativity across our enterprises, building a pathway from discoveries to healing and cures," he said.

Professor Ivy Ng, SingHealth's group chief executive officer, said the collaboration between the two organisations extended to patient care where patients who require multidisciplinary care are looked after by different specialists and healthcare professionals at the seven SingHealth Duke-NUS Disease Centres.

"With the generosity of our donors, we are committed to accelerating research and advancing education in our continual pursuit of even more ways to improve care for our patients and the health of our population," she added.