Disparity in Subsidised Cancer Treatments and Drugs for Patients in Class B and Class C Wards

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Minister for Health (a) which cancer treatments and drugs are not available at subsidised rates to patients hospitalised at Class C wards but are available to those in Class B wards at public hospitals; and (b) whether a review can be done to avail such treatments and drugs to patients hospitalised in Class C wards at subsidised rates so as to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.

All subsidised patients have access to the same cancer treatments and drugs, regardless of whether they are hospitalised in Class C or Class B wards. There are times when a patient may be transferred from one subsidised class ward to another for the same disease episode. The charges will be different between the wards, because of differences in subsidy rates and treatment and not because subsidies are available in one ward but not the other.