25 August 2026 – One Aged Care Senior Advisor and ECON Healthcare Founder Mr Ong Chu Poh was featured in Lianhe Zaobao in a report examining the operational challenges facing Singapore’s nursing home sector, particularly smaller operators navigating rising regulatory requirements and resource constraints.

Drawing on his experience in the aged care sector, Mr Ong shared perspectives on the factors that contribute to the sustainability of nursing home operations, including management capabilities, operational models and the effective use of resources.

Mr Ong founded ECON Healthcare in 1987, starting with 17 beds and five employees. Over the years, the organisation grew into an established aged care provider operating in Singapore and Malaysia. His experience reflects the importance of having a clear operating philosophy and the management capabilities to support the delivery of care as an organisation grows.

In the article, Mr Ong noted that larger operators generally have greater resources to support day-to-day operations and meet regulatory requirements. He also highlighted the potential advantages of smaller nursing homes, including their more homelike environments and closer relationships between residents and care teams.

He suggested that smaller operators could explore ways to strengthen their operations, such as upgrading facilities, adopting more distinctive service approaches and collaborating on procurement to manage costs. Maintaining clinical standards while preserving the personal connections that make care meaningful remains important across different operating models.

The feature highlights the varied challenges facing nursing home operators in Singapore and the importance of sustainable operating models in supporting quality care for seniors.

Read the full article on Lianhe Zaobao: 两家吊牌疗养院住户全已转院 业者：严监管有效却挤压小业者 (Strict Nursing Home Regulations: Benefits and Challenges for Smaller Operators)