Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

13 Sep 2021

Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates Detected at Borders

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the number of fake vaccination certificates detected at Singapore's borders and abroad, whether perpetrators were apprehended, and what penalties apply.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that since August 2021, selected travellers must show proof of vaccination, and ICA conducts manual checks where digital verification is not yet in place.
He confirmed that no fake vaccination certificates have been detected at Singapore's borders and no reports of fake Singapore-issued certificates abroad have been received.
Presenting a fake certificate could lead to fines up to $10,000, imprisonment up to six months, or both under the Infectious Diseases Act.
Offenders presenting fake certificates abroad may face foreign laws and could be investigated by Singapore Police if evidence suggests a domestic offence.

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13 Sep 2021

Update on Initiatives for Travel Resumption Such As Mutual Recognition of COVID-19 Vaccine Certificates, Setting up of Quarantine-free Travel Lanes and Vaccination for Short-term Visitors

The debate highlighted questions about countries with interoperable COVID-19 vaccine recognition systems, potential mandatory implementation, and waiving quarantine for vaccinated travelers with positive serological tests.
Members inquired about prioritizing vaccinated visitors for entry until local vaccination rates are adequate and the number of short-term visitors vaccinated under the Special Access Route.
The Minister for Transport confirmed addressing these queries at the 14 September 2021 Parliament Sitting, indicating ongoing policy considerations for travel resumption.

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13 Sep 2021

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No 4) Bill

The Second Minister for Law introduced the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No 4) Bill with a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President.
The Bill seeks to amend the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 and was read for the first time in Parliament.
Copies of the Bill were distributed to Members, and the Second Reading was scheduled for the following day.

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13 Sep 2021

Impact on Singapore Due To Change in Government in Malaysia

Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan affirmed that Singapore will continue to work constructively with Malaysia's new government led by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, emphasizing that bilateral ties remain strong regardless of political changes.
Both countries are actively cooperating on key projects like the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link, which is under construction and scheduled to start service in 2026, and on COVID-19 border control measures including mutual recognition of vaccine certificates.
The Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to safely resume cross-border travel in the endemic phase, with both governments working to establish public health protocols that protect citizens while easing movement restrictions.

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3 Aug 2021

Reducing Burnout Rates and Ensuring Mental Well-being of Junior Doctors in Public Healthcare System after Unprecedented Public Health Crisis

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is implementing various initiatives, including reviewing work hour guidelines, the night call system, and doctor roles, to improve the well-being of junior doctors and reduce burnout.
Public healthcare institutions have established wellness workgroups, provided rest facilities, and offer support programmes such as helplines, counselling, and resilience workshops, with regular monitoring through focus group discussions showing a decrease in reported burnout rates.
The Singapore Medical Council (SMC) requires a psychiatric report if a doctor declares receiving mental health care to assess their fitness to practise, with provisions for continued practice under supervision or a temporary pause for treatment, ensuring patient safety while supporting the doctor's recovery.

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3 Aug 2021

Plans to Increase Take-up Rate of Caregivers Training Grant and Widen Support for Carers Supporting Elderly or Sick Family Members

The government has enhanced the Caregivers Training Grant by offering more online courses and raising awareness through various channels such as AIC Links, websites, and community partners.
Support for caregivers of elderly or sick family members includes the Caregiver Support Action Plan with community outreach teams, support networks, respite care options, and the Home Caregiving Grant providing $200 monthly cash payout.
A new pilot was launched to provide structured support for caregivers when their loved ones are first diagnosed with dementia.
The Ministry of Health will continue to review and strengthen support measures for caregivers, including those caring for frail seniors or individuals with dementia.

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3 Aug 2021

Profile of Safe Distancing Ambassadors Deployed across Singapore since April 2020 and Venues of Deployment

About 3,000 Safe Distancing Ambassadors and Enforcement Officers from 17 government agencies have been deployed daily across Singapore since April 2020, though gender and age breakdowns are not available.
Safe Distancing Ambassadors lack enforcement powers and are not typically sent to check on nightlife establishments that pivoted to F&B after March 2020, with such checks handled by Enforcement Officers and Auxiliary Police Officers.
Enforcement operations at pivoted nightlife venues vary based on ground conditions, and details on these operations were previously provided by the Minister of Home Affairs in July 2021.

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3 Aug 2021

High-Risk Industries Allowed to Pivot during COVID-19 Situation and Efforts to Mitigate Risks

Only the nightlife industry was completely disallowed from operating and thus eligible for pivot grants to sectors like F&B or fitness, while other industries could pivot commercially without grants as they remained open.
Companies pivoting to new sectors must comply with the Safe Management Measures and regulatory standards of that sector, with enforcement and penalties for breaches.
The government's mitigation approach focuses on sector-specific compliance and oversight rather than broad restrictions for other high-risk industries.

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3 Aug 2021

Synchronisation of Recent Operation to Shut down F&B Businesses Pivoting from Nightlife Establishments

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked about the number of F&B businesses mistakenly listed as pivoted nightlife establishments, the reasons for data synchronization issues, and preventive measures for future operations.
Minister K Shanmugam explained that over 400 nightlife establishments pivoted to F&B, and nine were erroneously ordered to cease operations due to urgent enforcement actions, with apologies issued upon error discovery.
The miscoordination arose from the need for rapid action to suspend operations amid COVID-19 concerns, but agencies have since improved coordination to prevent recurrence.

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3 Aug 2021

Separate Licences for Family Karaoke Operators from Other Nightlife-oriented Operators

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether separate licences could be issued for family karaoke operators and if restrictions could be relaxed for them with safe management measures.
Minister K Shanmugam noted that karaoke poses high COVID-19 risks due to singing and enclosed spaces, but the government is considering separate licensing for family-oriented operators if they are less likely to engage in illegal activities.
The Minister emphasized that the risk from singing remains regardless of operator type and asked for clarification on whether the Member supports separate licences and relaxed restrictions for family-oriented karaoke.

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3 Aug 2021

Proposal to Distribute Still-functional Fitness Trackers Purchased for National Steps Challenge

Gerald Giam proposed distributing the 341,000 excess but still-functional fitness trackers from the National Steps Challenge to the public to promote exercise instead of disposing of them.
Ong Ye Kung explained that the surplus arose from over-estimation of demand, with 120,000 functional trackers remaining, of which 48,000 replaced faulty units and 72,000 are being used for community and government initiatives, while the rest were disposed of as unusable.
HPB has enhanced monitoring processes, including daily tracking of stocks and biannual audits, and will adopt more conservative procurement projections to prevent future excesses.
Additional trackers will only be purchased when excess bookings are received, and replacement criteria have been broadened to better address defective units.
MOH will oversee the implementation of these measures and ensure accountability and prudent resource use in health promotion efforts.

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3 Aug 2021

Special Leave Beyond Usual Childcare Leave for Parents when Schools and Childcare Centres Close for COVID-19-related Reasons

Saktiandi Supaat asked if the Ministry of Manpower could grant special leave beyond existing childcare leave for parents when schools or childcare centres close due to COVID-19, covering the entire closure period.
The Senior Minister of State for Manpower responded that while existing childcare leave and annual leave can be used, enhancing leave could strain employers, and flexible work arrangements are a more sustainable solution supported by tripartite standards.
Saktiandi Supaat followed up, highlighting the high likelihood of closures in an endemic scenario and asking if multi-agencies could consider additional special leave for parents if closures last beyond two weeks.
Dr Koh Poh Koon noted that few countries have introduced extra pandemic-related leave and emphasized that most employers already offer flexible work arrangements, urging cooperation and highlighting the importance of business continuity.
The Minister encouraged employers to be flexible and reminded employees to report any unfair treatment to the Ministry of Manpower or the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.

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3 Aug 2021

Measures to Prevent Patients on Kidney Dialysis from Being Discriminated against at Workplace

Tripartite partners promote flexible work arrangements and protect dialysis patients from discrimination under the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices, with 93% of firms offering such arrangements in 2020.
The government is tackling kidney disease upstream through initiatives like the War on Diabetes, focusing on lifestyle changes and community engagement to prevent kidney failure.
There are calls to collaborate with companies to create specific flexible roles, like work-from-home call center jobs, for dialysis patients, though legislative mandates are seen as challenging.

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3 Aug 2021

Proposal to Update National Survey on Informal Care to Reflect Changing Care Patterns

Ms He Ting Ru asked if the Ministry of Health plans to conduct an updated national survey on informal care, noting the last one was in 2012, to reflect changing caregiving patterns.
The Senior Minister of State for Health replied that the government monitors trends through ongoing studies and engagements, including a 2018 consultation leading to the 2019 Caregiver Support Action Plan.
Ms He suggested committing to a five-year survey cycle or including a caregiving section in the national census for clearer aging trends.
The Senior Minister of State responded that targeted engagement with stakeholders may be more effective than broad surveys, but insights will continue to be gathered.
The debate highlighted the need to adapt care support systems while considering the best methods to collect data on informal caregiving.

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3 Aug 2021

Number of Nursing Homes, Available Beds and Average Occupancy Rates

The Senior Minister of State for Health provided statistics showing that from 2016 to 2020, the number of nursing homes increased from 69 to 77 and licensed beds from around 13,000 to 16,300, with bed occupancy rates stable at about 90% across public, not-for-profit, and private sectors.
Mr. Chua raised concerns about long waits for nursing home beds, citing a resident’s wait of up to three years, and asked about plans to accelerate bed build-up and future projections given the ageing population.
Dr. Koh Poh Koon noted that such long waits are unusual and invited further details, emphasizing that the focus should be on increasing available beds rather than just the number of homes and advocating for community-based care to keep the elderly healthy and at home as a last resort.

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3 Aug 2021

Impact on Employees with Change in Employer-provided Insurer

Employers can choose to provide health insurance as a benefit, but there is no legal requirement to do so; any changes to such benefits should ideally be agreed upon by both employer and employee.
The Portable Medical Benefits Scheme (PMBS) is recommended as an alternative to traditional insurance, allowing employees to retain coverage even when changing jobs, and all Singaporeans and Permanent Residents are covered by MediShield Life for major medical costs.
The Minister emphasized the need for better education and multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving ministries, tripartite partners, and professional associations, to clarify insurance plan differences and improve regulation of third-party administrators.
For employees affected by changes in employer-provided insurers, support can be sought through the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, especially in cases involving collective agreements, though there is no statutory mandate for employers to maintain specific coverage.
There are calls for best practice guidelines from agencies like TAFEP, MOH, and MAS to ensure more consistent insurance practices and clearer avenues for worker support when employer-provided coverage changes.

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2 Aug 2021

Raising Awareness amongst Foreign Domestic Workers and Migrant Workers on Their Rights and Protection under Singapore Law

The Ministry of Manpower conducts Settling-In-Programmes in workers' native languages to educate them on their employment rights, Singapore’s laws, and channels to seek help for issues like abuse or stress.
Mental health support is integrated through regular reminders via the FWMOMCare app and e-newsletters, with counselling hotlines and shelters offering services in multiple languages, free of charge, and available at any time.
The ACE Group strengthens mental health support by training peer leaders and officers to provide psychological first aid, while also ensuring access to primary healthcare and specialist psychiatric services when needed.

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2 Aug 2021

Statistics of Foreign Domestic Workers Diagnosed with Tuberculosis Following Commencement of Employment

From 2018 to 2020, about 300 foreign domestic workers were diagnosed with active tuberculosis per year after commencing employment, representing 0.1% of the MDW population.
All MDWs are screened for active TB upon arrival and again after two years, and those diagnosed are treated immediately to reduce transmission, with most cases managed as outpatients.
Employers are required to provide mandatory medical insurance of at least $15,000, which covers about 95% of inpatient bills, and those facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from medical social workers at public health institutions.

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2 Aug 2021

Obtaining "Fully Vaccinated" Status for Individuals with Allergic Reactions after First Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine and Are Prevented from Getting Second Dose

Gerald Giam asked how individuals who have allergic reactions to the first COVID-19 vaccine dose and cannot receive the second dose can achieve "fully vaccinated" status.
Ong Ye Kung referred to a previous oral reply about vaccination policies, suggesting the issue was already addressed in an earlier parliamentary session.
The debate centers on policy clarity for people medically ineligible for a second vaccine dose in Singapore.

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2 Aug 2021

Breakdown of 13.6 Million Swab Tests Performed

Dr Tan Yia Swam requested a breakdown of the 13.6 million swab tests into symptomatic patients, close contacts, and Rostered Routine Testing (RRT), and asked how many positive cases were detected from symptomatic patients and RRT.
Minister Ong Ye Kung reported that as of 30 June 2021, about 959,000 PCR tests were conducted on symptomatic individuals, with 255 positive cases, and nearly 127,000 tests on close contacts, with 1,176 positives.
For RRT, about 550,000 workers were tested, yielding 536 positive cases, enabling early detection and containment in high-risk settings.
RRT helps protect workers, limit spread, and focus resources, with negative results providing reassurance and allowing critical employees to avoid restrictions.

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