Adequacy of Planned Increases in ICU and Medical Beds to Cope with Potential Surge in COVID-19 Cases and Mental Well-being of Healthcare Professionals

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health whether the planned increase to 180 ICU beds and 3,700 medical beds in COVID-19 treatment facilities will be sufficient to cope with the potential surge in cases, given how New York City, with a population around 1.5 times that of Singapore, added 760 ICU beds and 2,500 medical beds to accommodate patients at the height of the crisis there in April 2020.

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Health (a) what steps are being taken by the Ministry to deal with the burnout, anxiety and psychological issues on the part of healthcare workers involved in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; and (b) how are barriers such as stigma and impairment to practise when diagnosed with mental conditions are being addressed.