NUHS Sugar Light: Managing diabetes beyond the clinic
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One in three Singaporeans faces a lifetime risk of developing diabetes. Many understand their diagnosis, but struggle to manage their condition consistently between clinic visits.
In early 2026, Mr Faizal’s pre-breakfast blood glucose readings ranged between 9.4 and 13.4 mmol/L. He had not exercised in years, and his diet centred on large portions of white rice and sweetened drinks.
Six weeks later, those numbers began to change.
Before joining the National University Health System (NUHS) Sugar Light programme, his glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level was above 8 per cent. He said he had not been exercising regularly and that he did not have healthy eating habits, adding that sugary drinks had been a regular part of his diet.
Mr Faizal was referred to the programme by his GP following a Healthier SG screening that showed his diabetes was not well controlled.
Diabetes remains a significant public health concern. Around 9 per cent of residents aged 18 to 74 live with the condition, and many manage it through periodic visits to a general practitioner, often without structured support in between.
NUHS’s Sugar Light programme is designed to address this gap by supporting patients between clinic visits at Community Health Posts, to empower and guide them in adopting and sticking to healthier habits.
What happens between clinic visits
Run by NUHS, the six-month community-based programme supports patients aged 40 and above with HbA1c levels of 8 per cent or higher. Patients are referred through general practitioner (GP) partners and are supported by a care team comprising a health coach, a community care nurse and a dietitian.
The focus is on building habits that patients can sustain.
Mr Ng Jun Yang, a community health coach with NUHS Community Care, said patients often struggle with competing priorities.
“Residents want to change their eating habits, but they also want to find joy in their favourite foods,” Mr Ng said.
For general practitioners, Sugar Light supports patients beyond what clinic visits alone can provide.
A GP partner said the programme was suited to patients who were motivated to improve their health but needed guidance to start and sustain lifestyle changes.
The programme provides structured support between visits, helping patients stay on track with their care plans.
At Mr Faizal’s first session, discussions focused on his priorities and the changes he was prepared to make.
Together with his coach, he identified achievable goals to work on between sessions, with plans reviewed and adjusted over time.
Within weeks, he had made measurable changes. He reduced his rice portions, switched to brown rice and added vegetables more consistently to his meals.
The programme’s team-based approach ensures consistency, with health coaches, nurses and dietitians aligning their advice at each step.
Where patients find targets difficult to reach, adjustments are made to keep plans both clinically appropriate and achievable.
Mr Faizal also returned to exercise, beginning with brisk walks of 4km at least three times a week. While he found it difficult at first, he remained consistent through discipline, clear goals and support from his family.
Six weeks on: measurable change
After six weeks, Mr Faizal had lost 8kg, and his HbA1c level dropped by 3 percentage points. His pre-breakfast blood glucose readings fell to just above 7 mmol/L.
“I felt grateful and motivated. I knew that if I stayed focused, I would get the results I wanted.”
– Mr Faizal
The improvement was gradual but sustained.
Mr Faizal said he felt encouraged by the results and became more motivated as he saw progress.
Mr Ng highlighted that sustained change often depends on a patient’s underlying motivation.
“Residents who find a strong reason to live healthier are more likely to maintain their motivation over time,” he added.
For Mr Faizal, the programme marks the start of a longer process. His current targets include reducing his HbA1c level further and reaching his goal weight of 95kg over the following year.
He said he was pleasantly surprised by his initial progress and intended to continue improving his diet and fitness.
Mr Faizal urged those who have been advised to manage their blood sugar to make a change for their families, adding that while it would not be easy, support from their loved ones and healthcare professionals, as well as personal determination, would help them succeed.
Beyond the individual: Care closer to home
Programmes such as Sugar Light reflect a broader shift in the management of chronic conditions.
Rather than relying solely on episodic, clinic-based care, the model emphasises regular engagement in the community, supporting patients between doctor visits, where daily decisions about diet, physical activity and follow-ups are made.
Mr Ng said such support allows patients to receive guidance more consistently and enables incremental change over time.
“We provide consistent education and feedback between each doctor’s visit, giving residents more opportunities to make lifestyle changes.”
Care is no longer confined to the clinic.
It extends into the community and daily routines, where decisions on diet, physical activity and follow-ups are made. For many, this determines whether advice is acted on.
About Sugar Light
Sugar Light is NUHS’s community-based diabetes management programme, designed to support patients in building sustainable habits between clinic visits.
The programme is open to patients aged 40 and above with HbA1c levels of 8 per cent or higher, referred through a general practitioner partner of NUHS.
Each patient is supported by a team comprising a health coach, a community care nurse and a dietitian over six months. Support includes personalised coaching, dietary guidance and physical activity planning.
Take the first step If you are aged 40 or above and your HbA1c is 8 per cent or higher, speak to your general practitioner about whether you may be suitable for a structured diabetes management programme. Find out about diabetes screening near you: HealthierSG Screening. |
In consultation with Mr Ng Jun Yang, Health Coach, Community Care Team, National University Health System (NUHS).
