Comparative Study of Surgical Procedure Unit Costs in Singapore Against Other Ageing Developed Economies

Ms Diana Pang Li Yen asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has conducted comparative studies on the unit cost of common surgical procedures in Singapore against other developed economies with ageing populations, such as Japan; and (b) if so, what local key cost drivers have been identified.

The Ministry of Health has not conducted such studies on the unit cost of specific surgical procedures against other developed economies because it is not meaningful. Cost structures vary across countries due to differences in labour market, economic conditions, demography and healthcare financing systems.

A broader comparison shows that Singapore spends less on healthcare as a share of gross domestic product than other developed economies, including Japan, yet maintains overall good health outcomes.

Key cost drivers of healthcare are our ageing population, medical advancements to improve life spans and increases in healthcare manpower and other operating costs. To manage these drivers, we promote value-based care, focus on population health, develop and publish fee benchmarks and curtailed over-coverage of insurance.