Tuberculosis Cases among Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore in Last Five Years

Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases discovered among foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore over the last five years; and (b) whether additional measures can be taken to prevent the spread of TB among FDWs and from FDWs to their employers.

Foreign domestic workers (FDWs) applying to work in Singapore are required to be screened for active tuberculosis (TB), including having a chest x-ray, within two weeks of their arrival in Singapore, before they are issued with Work Permits. FDWs are also required to undergo screening for active TB upon two years of stay in Singapore.

From 2013 to 2017, an average of 146 new FDW applicants a year were diagnosed with active TB when they applied for Work Permits. FDW applicants found to have active TB will not be issued Work Permits and have to return to their home countries, unless otherwise supported by their prospective employers. In the same period, about 200 FDW Work Permit holders were diagnosed with active TB per year, out of an FDW population of between 214,500 and 246,800.

As active TB can still develop later after screening is negative, it is imperative that persons who display symptoms of active TB, such as unexplained prolonged cough of three weeks or more, seek early medical attention, so that active TB can be detected and treated early. With treatment, persons with active TB rapidly become non-infectious and would no longer transmit the disease. Strict adherence to TB treatment will help ensure cure and minimise the risk of relapse of the disease.

Therefore, to reduce the risk of TB transmission, we seek the support of employers with FDWs displaying TB symptoms to seek medical attention for their FDWs early. Employers should also support and ensure that their FDWs receive TB treatment via Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) and comply with medical appointments.