Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

2 Aug 2021

Public Education on Identifying Medical and Surgical Masks that Meet Required Standards and Requirement for E-commerce Platforms to Ensure Masks Sold Meet Standards

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if HSA will educate the public on identifying medical and surgical masks that meet EN 14683/ASTM F2100 standards and require e-commerce platforms to ensure masks sold meet these standards.
Ong Ye Kung responded that HSA has published guidelines on mask specifications and licenses local manufacturers to meet EN 14683 or ASTM F2100 standards, with a verified list available online.
HSA requires importers to notify and submit test reports proving their masks meet minimum bacterial filtration efficiency, and HSA engages e-commerce platforms to check vendors and ensure masks are from licensed local manufacturers or importers with proper notification.

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2 Aug 2021

Number of Calls Received by National Care Hotline in Past Years and Trends Detected in Issues Faced by Callers

The National Care Hotline received over 45,000 calls since its inception in April 2020, with monthly averages dropping from 9,800 during the circuit breaker to 1,600 in recent months.
Common issues reported by callers have consistently included the need for emotional support, mental health concerns, and marital or family problems.
Callers requiring further psychological assistance are referred to public healthcare institutions or community service providers for follow-up care.

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2 Aug 2021

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Rates for Students Aged 12 to18

As of late July, over 90% of students aged 12-18 in MOE schools and IHLs had received at least their first vaccine dose, with more than 70% fully vaccinated, and rates are projected to reach 80% by early August and 90% by early September.
Students were prioritized for vaccination from June 1, 2021, especially graduating cohorts sitting for major examinations like GCE N, O, and A Levels, with over 80% of these students fully vaccinated by end-July.
Students with vaccination appointments during school hours or experiencing side effects are given time off and support to minimize academic disruptions.
Ample capacity at community vaccination centers allows students to reschedule appointments to avoid clashing with school activities.
The measures collectively aim to ensure high vaccination rates while minimizing the impact on students' education and schedules.

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2 Aug 2021

Priority for Tuition Centre and After-school Care Centre Enrichment Teachers in Future Vaccination Exercises

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked whether enrichment teachers at tuition and after-school care centres can be prioritized for COVID-19 booster vaccination in future exercises.
MOH is reviewing international and local data on booster shots, and will decide on their availability based on public health needs and vaccine supply.
If booster prioritization is required, MOE will collaborate with MOH to determine priority groups within the education sector.

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2 Aug 2021

Number of Licences Granted to Nightlife Operators to Pivot to F&B Businesses Per Month from October 2020 to June 2021 and Enforcement Actions Taken

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Home Affairs for the number of licenses granted to nightlife operators to pivot to F&B businesses each month from October 2020 to June 2021, along with data on enforcement actions including proactive operations, investigations for rule breaches, and outlets shut down for violations.
The Minister responded that these questions were addressed in his statement on the fifth update on whole-of-government responses to COVID-19 during the parliamentary sitting on 26 July 2021.
The debate highlighted the need for transparency on how many nightlife operators transitioned to F&B during the pandemic and the extent of enforcement to ensure compliance with safe management measures.

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2 Aug 2021

Availability of Familial Ties Lane for Foreign Visitors to Register Marriage in Singapore to Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident

Dennis Tan asked if the Familial Ties Lane is still available for foreign visitors to enter Singapore to marry a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident and what the requirements are.
The Minister confirmed that fiancés/fiancées of Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents can apply to enter under the Familial Ties Lane for marriage purposes.
Applicants must provide supporting documents like appointment letters from the Registry of Marriages or Registry of Muslim Marriages and undergo security and immigration risk assessments.
Approved entrants must comply with prevailing COVID-19 measures, including Stay-Home Notice and swab test requirements.
The response outlines the current availability and procedural conditions for using the Familial Ties Lane for marriage registration.

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2 Aug 2021

Number of Singapore Citizens Currently Registered to be in Myanmar and Relief Flights Scheduled

There are approximately 240 Singaporean citizens currently registered to be in Myanmar, with the Singapore Embassy in Yangon providing them with regular consular advice and updates.
Three relief flights per week from Yangon to Singapore are being operated by Singapore Airlines and Myanmar National Airlines, which Singaporeans can book directly, but the continuation of these flights beyond August is not guaranteed.
MFA advises Singaporeans in Myanmar to leave as soon as possible via commercially operated flights due to the volatile situation and strain on Myanmar's healthcare system from a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Singaporeans who remain in Myanmar must consider the risks to their health and personal safety and are strongly advised to e-register with MFA immediately if they have not already done so.

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2 Aug 2021

Reasons for Allowing National Day Parade to Proceed in Midst of Phase Two (Heightened Alert)

Gerald Giam asked why the National Day Parade was allowed to proceed during Phase Two (Heightened Alert) and whether it would increase COVID-19 risk for frontliners and essential workers attending in person.
Ng Eng Hen stated that the parade was postponed from 9 August to 21 August 2021, after the scheduled end of Phase Two (Heightened Alert).
The government emphasized that stringent COVID-19 safety measures would be enforced in the preparation and conduct of the event to mitigate infection risks.

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2 Aug 2021

Improving Safe Management Measures in KTV Bars and Nightlife Establishments

Dennis Tan asked whether the government will improve safe management measures in KTV bars and similar nightlife establishments and ensure these measures do not unfairly affect other nightlife businesses.
Grace Fu stated that operators of pivoted nightlife establishments must implement additional safe management measures, including installing CCTV, removing public entertainment equipment, and ensuring business activities are visible from outside, to resume operations with a conditional permit from MTI.
The additional measures are designed to prevent another cluster in pivoted nightlife establishments while minimizing impact on genuine F&B operators, with support provided to the industry through engagement and assistance.

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2 Aug 2021

Enforcement against Illegal Vice Activities and Making Sure Such Activities Are not A Source of COVID-19 Spread

Mr Gerald Giam asked about the continuation of vice activities, enforcement actions, and COVID-19 risks since April 2020.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that vice activities violate Safe Management Measures and enforcement has been taken.
Police conducted over 1,200 enforcement operations against vice activities from April 2020 to June 2021.
More than 500 individuals were arrested under the Women’s Charter, Immigration Act, and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
Enforcement measures ensure such activities do not become a source of COVID-19 spread.

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2 Aug 2021

Dedicated Care for Long-COVID Patients

Ms He Ting Ru asked for the total number of long-COVID cases diagnosed and logged in Singapore since November 2020, broken down by gender and age group, as well as the plans for dedicated, integrated care and support measures for patients.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that long COVID is not a distinct medical condition but refers to continued symptoms after COVID-19 infection, with care provided based on individual needs.
A multi-centre study by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases found that one in ten COVID-19 patients had persistent symptoms like cough or breathlessness six months after recovery, especially those over 65 or with severe infections.
The minister emphasised that care involves multiple clinical teams depending on the patient's condition, but did not provide specific numbers or detailed plans in the debate excerpts.
The debate highlights the need for tailored care but leaves questions about official statistics and integrated care programmes for long-COVID patients.

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2 Aug 2021

Average Interval between Exposure to COVID-19 Case and Issuance of Quarantine Order

The Minister for Health stated that as of July 2021, the average time to issue a Quarantine Order (QO) from COVID-19 case notification was two days, with the longest interval being 14 days for a small number of difficult-to-trace contacts.
He noted that in January 2021, the average time was shorter at 1.5 days due to fewer daily cases, indicating a change in isolation speed over the year.
The Minister expressed appreciation for the contact tracing and quarantine teams, urging public cooperation to enhance protection measures.

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2 Aug 2021

Improving Access to and Sustainability of the Rare Disease Fund

Miss Cheryl Chan raised concerns about the low uptake and limited scope of the Rare Disease Fund (RDF), which has only assisted seven patients with six medicines for four conditions, and proposed expanding eligibility to include more diseases like neuroblastoma and Krabbe Disease, improving awareness, and ensuring sustainability through long-term donations, insurance involvement, and drug manufacturer support.
Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon acknowledged the RDF’s progress but emphasized that adding more conditions or drugs requires sufficient funds, noting the high costs of rare disease treatments and the reliance on public donations, with the government offering a $3-to-$1 matching grant and tax incentives to encourage giving.
Both speakers highlighted the need for community and corporate support to sustain the RDF, with Dr Koh clarifying that some diseases like neuroblastoma are covered by existing schemes like MediShield Life and MediFund, while Krabbe Disease lacks effective treatments, and stressed that MediShield Life provides universal coverage for rare diseases.

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2 Aug 2021

Dental Registration (Amendment) Bill

The Dental Registration (Amendment) Bill requires foreign-trained dental graduates to pass a qualifying examination for conditional registration, aligning their competency with local graduates and addressing Singapore's ageing population and dental care needs.
There is a transitional period until January 2029 for implementation, with current overseas students and graduates from listed universities exempted, while the list of recognised foreign universities will be reviewed and reduced.
MPs raised concerns about the high stakes of the examination, suggesting more attempts or support for graduates, and questioned the adequacy of the dentist-to-population ratio and dental service affordability, with the Ministry committing to monitor and adjust policies as needed.

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2 Aug 2021

Risk Level for Children Aged 12 and Under Given Shift Back to Phase Two

The Ministry of Education has assessed that children under 12, though unvaccinated, generally experience mild COVID-19 outcomes, with no local cases requiring ICU care, and schools have implemented layered measures including masks, cohorting, and activity adjustments to mitigate risk.
Parents have expressed concerns about unvaccinated children, especially those with pre-existing conditions, and the Ministry emphasized the need for sustainable risk management strategies, including ring-fencing cases and relying on parental cooperation to keep sick children home.
The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination is reviewing trials for vaccines for children under 12, but no timeline for a decision or approval is available yet, and mass testing for young children remains limited due to the lack of less intrusive methods.

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2 Aug 2021

Resumption of Inter-school Games and Sports Competitions

Mr Darryl David asked when inter-school games and sports competitions would resume and if more sports could be added.
The Minister of State for Education responded that the National Schools Games were cancelled for 2021 due to COVID-19 but will resume in phases in 2022, starting with vaccinated secondary, junior college, and Millennia Institute students.
For primary school students, resumption depends on vaccination eligibility, with low-risk non-contact sports resuming first and possible format modifications for higher-risk sports.
The Ministry emphasized that resuming these games is important for student development and well-being, and will proceed only when safe.
All sports are planned to be included in the phased resumption, with adjustments as needed to mitigate risks.

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2 Aug 2021

Long-term Affordability for Mental Healthcare Treatments

The government provides subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave options for mental health treatments, with regular reviews to increase limits and ensure affordability.
Concerns about mental health record confidentiality and insurance coverage were addressed, with the Ministry committing to work with insurers to improve mental health parity.
The withdrawal limits for mental health treatments are under regular review, and the government is assessing infrastructure needs, including potential new psychiatric institutions.

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2 Aug 2021

Proportion of Self-employed Persons Who Could Not Receive COVID-19 Recovery Grants due to Insufficient MediSave Payments

Leon Perera asked about the proportion of self-employed persons who could not receive the COVID-19 Recovery Grant due to insufficient MediSave payments, to which the Minister replied that less than 1% of unsuccessful CRG applications by SEPs were due to not meeting MediSave contribution criteria, specifically 0.04%.
The Minister explained that SEPs must contribute to their own MediSave accounts based on past declared earnings, with a waiver for first-time CRG applicants but a requirement for subsequent tranches to either have no arrears or commit to a GIRO instalment plan.
Applicants failing to meet other criteria like job search or training accounted for less than 1% of unsuccessful CSG applications and around 3% for CRG, with exemptions for those still employed or on no-pay leave.
The Minister encouraged those facing difficulties to approach Social Service Offices for alternative support, while emphasizing the high compliance rate of SEPs in MediSave contributions.
In a follow-up, the Minister clarified that the rejection rate due to MediSave issues is very low, and while help is extended wherever possible, the commitment to MediSave contributions is crucial for long-term healthcare and retirement needs.

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2 Aug 2021

Regulatory Approval for Novavax Vaccine and Vaccination for Short-term Visit Pass Holders Staying with Long-term Residents in Singapore

The Ministry of Health is reviewing the regulatory approval for the Novavax vaccine, with delivery expected by year-end, while the Sinovac vaccine's approval is pending and expected by end-August, and individuals allergic to mRNA vaccines may opt for alternatives like Sinovac or potentially Novavax once approved.
Short-term visit pass holders are not yet eligible for vaccination, but the government is considering expanding access to those in close contact with long-term residents, with details to be announced later based on risk assessments.
The national vaccination program is progressing well, with 61% fully vaccinated and high uptake among seniors, though outreach efforts continue to address hesitancy and misinformation through community engagement and clear communication.
International students and other non-residents may be considered for vaccination in the future as supply allows, possibly at a fee, but current focus remains on residents and extended-stay individuals.

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27 Jul 2021

Data on Working-age Singaporeans Who Started Dialysis in Past Three Years

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked for annual data on working-age Singaporeans starting dialysis over the past three years, broken down by type and employment status before, during, and after dialysis, as well as reasons for employment cessation.
Minister Tan See Leng provided the number of working-age residents who started haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in 2017, 2018, and 2019, noting that 2019 is the latest available year.
The Ministry of Manpower has not conducted a granular study on employment trends for these individuals and will explore with the Ministry of Health how to analyze labour market trends while protecting patient confidentiality.

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