Appeals for Individuals who Missed Out on COVID-19 Resilience Medal

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider a channel for appeal by individuals who missed out on the COVID-19 Resilience Medal.

My response today will also address written questions filed by Mr Leong Mun Wai and Mr Yip Hon Weng, and oral Parliamentary Question filed by Dr Tan Wu Meng for a subsequent Sitting, on the recognition of healthcare workers for the COVID-19 Resilience Medal (CRM) and the appeal channel.

Overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was a national concerted effort, hence our approach in conferring the CRM was to be as inclusive as possible, with no quotas set.

To ensure that standards are met and the process is rigorous, the eligibility criteria is that the individual must have made substantial contributions on a sustained basis during the pandemic1 in:

(a) managing the public health crisis at the frontlines;

(b) supporting frontline operations, such as vaccination, testing, managing dorms or recovery facilities, and so on; or

(c) managing the consequences of COVID-19 on Singapore's economy, supply chains or social cohesion.

The individuals are nominated by their employing organisations based on these criteria. As the CRM is a national-level award, individuals with criminal records and Public Service officers with disciplinary records and within the debarment periods are also disqualified.

About 91% of 68,6002 healthcare workers in our public healthcare institutions are recipients of the CRM. The remaining did not receive the CRM mainly because they were not assessed as having contributed substantially or on a sustained basis toward the COVID-19 pandemic within the specified period of contribution. A very small number were disqualified due to their disciplinary records.

Outsourced workers, such as cleaners, porters and patient care assistants are also included in the nomination process. About 2,000 of them in our public healthcare institutions are CRM recipients.

The list of CRM awardees was published in the Government Gazette on the Prime Minister's Office website on 31 May 2023. From 31 May 2023 to end August 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had received and reviewed numerous appeals for the COVID-19 Resilience Medal from the healthcare sector and added more awardees to the list.

Despite the rigorous process and inclusive approach, it is possible that some employers may have missed out nominating their staff. Individuals who feel they are deserving but have been missed out for the CRM can write to MOH and we will review their appeals with their employers accordingly.