Annual Data on Heat-related Illnesses and Injuries and Plans to Raise Public Awareness

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry tracks the number of heat-related illnesses in each year; (b) if so, whether there has been an increase in heat-related illnesses and injuries over the past three months; and (c) whether the Ministry has plans to raise public awareness on the prevention of heat-related illnesses.

The data for heat-related illnesses is available on an annual basis. The number of hospitalisations for heat-related illnesses have remained generally stable over the last 10 years and has most recently decreased from 71 in 2021 to 47 in 2022. The Ministry of Health will work closely with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to raise public awareness on heat-related illnesses, particularly on preventive measures that can be taken by the public to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.