The pattern is similar elsewhere. It is easy to get young clinicians hooked on research but many drop out long before mid-career. They simply find it hard to balance work with family obligations, especially when they get married and have children. Much of this is about time as well as money. So, increased funding is not a solution by itself, although some may find financial reward adequate compensation for the devotion. Money is also a measure of how much society values clinical research compared to, say, medical practice. The competitive peer review mechanisms that Mr Khaw recommended are a sound way to select the best research proposals to fund. And the best can also mean the most relevant for Singapore, in such diseases as diabetes and myopia, two examples he mentioned.

To recognise researchers as well as to reward the best research proposals with funding, the ministry could set up prestigious awards that come with more resources and that formally establish a career path for winners. These would encourage young entrants to remain committed to research and to continue with their work. Mid-career or even older clinicians better able to manage their non-work obligations might also find similar awards enticing enough to switch to the research track. With financially successful practices, they might consider job satisfaction more important than making marginally more money. Not only would they bring more patient-oriented experience, they could also become mentors to the next generation of researchers. Singapore has made a sizeable commitment to clinical research. Next comes the critical step of getting motivated people to carry it out.