Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

11 May 2021

Update on Recent Cases of Gastroenteritis in Education Institutions

Investigations by SFA and MOH into 27 gastroenteritis incidents since early 2021, including 18 involving education institutions, identified poor housekeeping and cleaning lapses as key contributors to outbreaks.
Multi-agency measures are being implemented, including enhanced guidelines, staff training, and a new environmental sanitation regime for premises like pre-schools under the Environmental Public Health Act.
Authorities urge education institutions to maintain high hygiene standards and encourage parents to keep sick children at home to prevent further spread of gastroenteritis.

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11 May 2021

Approval for COVID-19 Vaccine Candidates and the Need for Booster Shots

Miss Cheryl Chan inquired about the approval status of the Sinovac vaccine, Singapore's stance on vaccines linked to blood clots, and the likelihood of needing a booster shot within a year.
Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked whether the government is in discussions with Pfizer and Moderna regarding potential COVID-19 booster shots.
The Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, requested and received permission to address both questions in a ministerial statement later that day.

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10 May 2021

Work-from-home Arrangements for Employees Who Are unable to Take COVID-19 Vaccine

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Ministry for Manpower to consider requiring employers to allow employees unable to take the COVID-19 vaccine to continue work-from-home arrangements if their jobs permit.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that all employees should follow public health measures, including prevailing work-from-home requirements, and that unvaccinated individuals are indirectly protected by high vaccination rates in the population.
She noted that employees unable to be vaccinated, such as those who are severely immunocompromised, may raise permanent work-from-home requests with employers, and employers are encouraged to consider these sympathetically.

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10 May 2021

Travel Condition and Quota Allocations for Singaporeans Performing Haj or Umrah Pilgrimage This Year

The Minister noted that Saudi Arabia has not yet announced arrangements for Haj 2021, and it is unclear if international pilgrims will be allowed, with public health being the priority in any decision.
MUIS, in consultation with MOH, will assess health risks if Haj is opened, and has instituted measures such as requiring bankers’ guarantees and progressive payments from travel agents to protect pilgrim deposits.
MUIS worked with travel agents to recover most deposits for the deferred 2020 Haj and is facilitating refunds for affected pilgrims, subject to administration fees.

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10 May 2021

Plans to Recognise Art Therapists as Allied Health Professionals under Allied Health Professions Act

Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap asked the Minister for Health about plans to recognize art therapists as allied health professionals under the Allied Health Professions Act.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the Act regulates allied health practices to ensure patient safety but noted that art therapy does not pose significant risk of harm to patients.
The Ministry of Health currently has no plans to regulate art therapy under the Allied Health Professions Act.
There are 381 art therapists registered as members of the Art Therapists’ Association of Singapore.
The government’s focus remains on regulating professions with higher potential risks to patient safety.

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10 May 2021

Total Number of Beds for Classes A, B1, B2 and C Wards in All Public Hospitals

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health for the current number of beds for classes A, B1, B2, and C wards in all public hospitals.
Gan Kim Yong provided a breakdown: 640 A class, 910 B1 class, 3,513 B2/B2+1 class, and 4,345 C class beds across 10 public acute hospitals and the Institute of Mental Health.
He noted that 84% of the 9,408 beds are for B2/B2+/C class, 9% for B1, and 7% for A class, aligning with the 1993 White Paper principles.
The distribution may fluctuate due to renovations and varies by hospital to meet demand patterns, with MOH monitoring bed supply and demand on an ongoing basis.

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10 May 2021

Amount of Medical Waste from Hospitals and Clinics in Past Year Compared with Five Years Ago and Measures to Reduce and Manage Such Waste

Medical waste increased by about 30% from 2016 to 2020, rising from 4,400 to 5,700 tonnes annually, driven by more patients, procedures, and infection control measures during the pandemic.
Healthcare facilities segregate biohazardous waste for safe collection and disposal by licensed toxic industrial waste collectors to prevent cross-contamination and protect public health.
Hospitals and clinics are focusing on reducing and recycling non-biohazardous waste, such as administrative, food, and packaging waste, while acknowledging that some medical consumables cannot be avoided or reused.

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10 May 2021

Trend of Hiring of Professional Care-giving Help for Elderly in Past Three Years and Plans for Review of Subsidies and Eligibility for Home Caregiving Grant

The Minister for Health reported an upward trend in the use of professional elderly caregiving services from 17,000 in 2018 to nearly 19,000 in 2019, but a decline to an average of 12,000 in the first three quarters of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Health offers various professional caregiving services, including day care, integrated home and day care, home personal care, palliative care, and respite care, staffed by formal healthcare workers.
The Ministry continually reviews schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant, introduced in 2019, which provides a $200 monthly payout to eligible individuals with permanent moderate disability living in the community.
Families needing further help with caregiving services and support can approach the Agency for Integrated Care for assistance.

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10 May 2021

Collection of Data by Working Group on Health for Ethnic Minorities to Examine Root Causes of Poor Health in Such Communities

Dr Shahira Abdullah questioned if the Working Group on Health for Ethnic Minorities would collect data on social determinants to identify root causes of poor health in ethnic communities.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed the group will examine causes of poor health in Indian and Malay communities, including social determinants, using national survey data and qualitative studies.
The aim is to develop culturally appropriate interventions to improve health and well-being in these communities.

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10 May 2021

Vaccinations and Quarantine Requirements for COVID-19 Pandemic

Members asked whether Singapore would recognize foreign COVID-19 vaccinations not approved by HSA and if long-term foreigners would need re-vaccination.
Others inquired about allowing vaccinated Singaporeans and PRs to quarantine at home instead of dedicated facilities upon negative test.
Concerns were raised about suspending flights from high-risk areas and extending quarantine for all arrivals due to new variants.

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10 May 2021

Update on Singapore's Assistance to India Due to Worsening COVID-19 Infections

Singapore has sent 256 oxygen cylinders to India via RSAF aircraft to support its critical medical needs during the pandemic.
Singapore is facilitating India’s procurement and transport of COVID-19 supplies, including cryogenic tanks and relief items, through governmental and logistical support.
Private sector and civil society organizations, such as Temasek Foundation and Singapore Airlines, are contributing medical equipment and airlifting essential supplies to India.

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10 May 2021

Number of Users Requesting to Deregister from TraceTogether Programme

As of 30 April 2021, 1,155 users had requested deregistration from the TraceTogether programme, representing about 0.021% of the population above age six.
Users who request deregistration receive an SMS confirmation or on-the-spot verification when returning their token, and their registration data is deleted from the server within three to five working days.
Data from users who were close contacts and uploaded information for contact tracing is retained for public health reasons, but the law requires all personally identifiable contact tracing data to be deleted after the pandemic ends.

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10 May 2021

Addressing Issue of Suicide Amongst Youths

MSF and MOE have adopted a multi-pronged approach to prevent youth suicide, focusing on building mental resilience, early identification, supporting at-risk groups, and providing crisis support through programs in schools and institutes of higher learning.
Efforts include enhancing curricula, training staff to identify and refer students in distress, establishing peer support structures, and promoting help-seeking by reducing stigma through campaigns like "Beyond the Label."
Crisis support is available via 24-hour hotlines and text-based services, with agencies coordinating through an inter-agency research workgroup and the Youth Mental Well-being Network to strengthen whole-of-society efforts.

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10 May 2021

Mental Health Support for New and Expectant Mothers

Dr Wan Rizal asked if mental health support for new and expectant mothers can be included in periodic pregnancy check-ups.
Minister Gan Kim Yong highlighted that obstetricians identify mental health concerns during pregnancy and that public hospitals like KKH and NUH have provided perinatal mental health screening and intervention since 2007, benefiting over 165,000 women as of 2020.
SGH also offers a psychiatry clinic within obstetrics-gynaecology for referrals, and positive cases are managed by a multi-disciplinary team with additional support for family and financial needs.
The government plans to develop a Child and Maternal Health and Well-being Strategy to further review and enhance mental well-being support for mothers based on latest research and pilots.

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10 May 2021

Checks on Masks Sold in Singapore for Effectiveness against COVID-19

Lim Biow Chuan asked whether the Ministry of Health checks face masks sold in Singapore for effectiveness against COVID-19.
Gan Kim Yong stated that surgical masks are regulated as medical devices by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), with importers required to provide details and HSA monitoring global safety reports for recalls.
Non-medical masks are not regulated by HSA but are considered sufficient for general use in low transmission settings, with the public advised to choose masks with at least two layers and better filtration.

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10 May 2021

Distribution of Masks and Hand Sanitisers at Vaccination Centres

Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked about the conditions for distributing masks and hand sanitisers at vaccination centres and whether the items given will be standardised.
Gan Kim Yong explained that the distribution was a goodwill gesture by MTI and the People’s Association to encourage safe management and hygiene.
The initiative was supported by medical service providers at the centres, who have discretion to give additional complimentary items if deemed appropriate and safe.

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10 May 2021

Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for Foreign Workers

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for foreign workers in Singapore and the construction industry, whether fully vaccinated construction workers still need fortnightly swab tests, and if work permit applicants vaccinated abroad get reduced Stay-Home Notice.
Minister Josephine Teo stated that vaccination for foreign workers in large dormitories, especially from the construction sector, has begun, with 42,000 fully vaccinated by end April (70% from construction), and more vaccinations will continue as vaccine supply allows.
Fully vaccinated migrant workers now undergo testing every 28 days instead of every 14 days, but this frequency is subject to monitoring and review, as vaccination reduces severe illness risk but not infection or transmission risk entirely.
New work permit applicants vaccinated in their home countries must still complete the same Stay-Home Notice as unvaccinated individuals, though the government will review this as more data on vaccine effectiveness becomes available.

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10 May 2021

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Singaporeans' Desire to Have Babies

The government conducts regular surveys to understand Singaporeans' views on marriage and parenthood, with the 2016 survey showing strong intentions to marry but a tendency to delay family formation for career and financial goals.
A 2020 pandemic survey revealed that about three in ten couples planning children changed their minds due to health and economic uncertainty, leading to the introduction of a one-off $3,000 Baby Support Grant.
The government is holding conversations from April to September to hear directly from Singaporeans on how the pandemic may have shifted sentiments toward marriage and parenthood.
Officials emphasize that marriage and parenthood are personal decisions, and the government aims to address concerns through existing support schemes and community efforts.

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10 May 2021

Plans to Increase Hiring and Training of Healthcare Professionals

Melvin Yong questioned how to address the shortage of nursing professionals and suggested accelerating the Professional Conversion Programme for nurses to one year.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined plans to grow the nursing workforce, including increasing training intakes by 45% since 2014 and expanding mid-career conversion programmes.
He explained that the current two-year duration for nursing conversion programmes is necessary to ensure trainees acquire the required competencies for safe patient care.
The ministry is also enhancing nurses' salaries by 5% to 14% over two years and improving career progression and recognition to support the profession.

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10 May 2021

Checks on F&B Outlets to Prevent Hygiene Lapses

Ms Joan Pereira asked how the Ministry is increasing checks on food and beverage outlets and catering companies to prevent hygiene lapses, and how it supports them in making improvements despite COVID-19 manpower constraints.
The Ministry, through SFA, licenses food establishments, conducts regular inspections with more focus on higher-risk outlets, and investigates public feedback, while also educating licensees on corrective actions.
From March 2020 to February 2021, SFA performed over 63,000 inspections and maintained stable enforcement actions, with the potential to increase efforts as needed.
Food safety is a shared responsibility: operators must ensure staff complete Food Safety Course Level 1, and consumers must uphold hygiene standards, especially during the pandemic.
Although COVID-19 is not food-borne, SFA has issued advisories and engaged establishments on safe distancing and cleanliness to reduce community transmission and support continued operations.

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