Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

5 Apr 2021

Retired Public Servants on Pension Schemes with Healthcare Coverage for Self and Spouse

Ms Mariam Jaafar inquired about the number of retired public servants on pension schemes offering healthcare coverage for themselves and their spouses.
Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that as of 17 March 2021, 30,829 retired pensioners were eligible for post-retirement medical benefits.
The coverage for dependants varies depending on the specific medical benefit scheme each pensioner is under.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Applications for Rare Disease Fund

The Rare Disease Fund (RDF) has processed eight applications to date, with seven approved and one denied because the family could afford treatment; the RDF is funded by public donations and a 3:1 government co-matching scheme.
An independent committee assesses RDF applications based on clinical eligibility, financial need, and family circumstances, with patients expected to co-pay according to their means.
The government collaborates with groups like the Rare Disorders Society and Rainbow Across Borders to raise awareness and support patients, but does not plan to publish a public rare disease registry due to patient confidentiality and the small population.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Allowing Private Healthcare Operators to Procure COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked if the private healthcare sector could procure approved COVID-19 vaccines and what criteria would govern their import and use.
The Minister for Health, Gan Kim Yong, stated that under the Pandemic Special Access Route, vaccine imports are only permitted for or on behalf of the Government.
Only HSA-approved vaccines endorsed by the Expert Committee for safety and efficacy are allowed in Singapore, and supplies are prioritized for high-risk groups.
The Minister urged private healthcare providers to collaborate within the national program to ensure orderly and expeditious vaccination rollout.
Sufficient vaccines are expected by Q3 2021 if orders arrive on time, given global supply constraints.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Suspected Cases of Foreign Domestic Worker Abuse Flagged After Home-based Six Monthly Medical Examination

The debate focused on how suspected cases of foreign domestic worker abuse are flagged during home-based six-monthly medical examinations (6ME) and which doctor certifies the 6ME form.
The Minister for Manpower explained that the home-based 6ME service, introduced in 2018, involves healthcare personnel collecting blood samples at home, with results certified by a Singapore-registered doctor appointed by the service provider.
The Minister acknowledged that the certifying doctor does not personally examine the worker and that the system is being reviewed to strengthen protections for migrant domestic workers.
The review includes enhancing touchpoints such as employment agents, mandating off days, and increasing community vigilance to support workers and identify potential abuse.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Measures to Ensure Mental Well-being at Workplaces

The government has launched initiatives like Youthopia and the Youth Mental Well-being Network to support young workers with career transition and mental health resources.
Employers are encouraged to use tools like iWorkHealth to assess employee mental well-being and identify stress factors, including by age group.
The Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being provides guidelines for employers to support workers, including access to free talks and wellness programmes.
These measures complement personal efforts to maintain mental well-being through staying active, connected, and seeking help when needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Resignation Rate of Frontline Healthcare Workers Since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked about the resignation rates of frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic, measures to help them cope with work stress, and support for those struggling.
Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that resignation rates in the public healthcare sector fell from 10% in 2019 to 6% in 2020, with doctors and nurses seeing similar declines.
The Ministry has enhanced support through counselling, staff helplines, peer programmes, and a cross-cluster Staff Well-being Committee.
Healthcare workers have shown resilience and dedication, and the government committed to ongoing support amid the prolonged pandemic.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Take-up Rate of Screen for Life Programme

Over 100,000 individuals benefited from the enhanced Screen for Life (SFL) subsidies between September 2017 and December 2020, with about 86% Chinese, 7% Malay, and 4% Indian participants, and half eligible for lower co-payments.
Around 40% of those screened for cardiovascular risk had abnormal results, and follow-up rates improved from 56% in 2016 to over 85% in 2020 after the 2017 subsidy enhancement.
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board are implementing culturally tailored programmes, such as community discussions and a new workgroup for the Malay-Muslim community, to address lower screening uptake among ethnic minorities.
Health authorities collaborate with partners like the Singapore Cancer Society to run campaigns during awareness months to educate the public on the importance of regular screening and follow-up.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Number of Lapsed Registration of Registered Nurses

From 2016 to 2020, about 380 local Registered Nurses stopped practising each year, primarily due to family commitments, and there is no specific data on how many are still employed in healthcare institutions but not in nursing roles.
Nurses who have not practised for five years must attend a refresher course under the Return-to-Nursing (RTN) programme, which has been enhanced with a Place-and-Train format allowing them to secure employment and receive a salary during training, fully funded by employers and the government.
Amid COVID-19, a shorter programme was introduced, and about 40 Registered Nurses were trained in the past year to return to nursing practice.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Students' Access to Counsellors at Universities

Seah Kian Peng asked about the ratio of counsellors to students in Institutes of Higher Learning, how it compares to the public health sector, and whether university students have better access to mental health professionals than the general population.
Lawrence Wong highlighted that IHLs have an ecosystem of mental health support, including trained academic staff, peer support programmes, and counsellors, with numbers varying by institution size and student profile.
He noted that counsellors are complemented by para-counsellors and that students can access external support from community agencies or public healthcare when needed.
Wong stated that comparing campus counselling resources to the general population is not meaningful, as the systems are designed to be complementary rather than directly comparable.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Safety Measures and Equipment within SAF Premises to Assist in Emergency Medical Situations

The SAF maintains a multi-layered emergency medical response system reviewed by an external advisory board, including on-site trained personnel and equipment like AEDs and ambulances available 24/7.
All recruits since 2010 are trained in CPR and AED use, and medical teams are present during exercises with necessary equipment for resuscitation and evacuation to hospitals or medical centres.
Health screening guidelines are set by a specialist advisory board, requiring annual Health Screening Programme for regulars and NSmen aged 35 and above to detect conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Resumption of Team Sports for National School Games

Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Education about allowing team sports such as football, hockey, and netball to resume for the National School Games and how the Ministry is collaborating with schools to restart these activities.
The Minister for Education, Lawrence Wong, confirmed that the National School Games will resume from 29 March to 27 May 2021 for select non-contact sports to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks, but team sports involving physical contact will not be included at this stage.
The Ministry will continue monitoring the situation and work with sports councils and schools to ensure safe conduct, reviewing plans as needed based on the national posture.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Organising Major Events Under COVID-19 Restrictions

Edwin Tong outlined the successful execution of the Singapore Tennis Open with strict COVID-19 measures, including daily testing and bubbling of international personnel, safe management protocols for staff and spectators, and close coordination among agencies and partners.
The event demonstrated that major international sporting events can be safely hosted under pandemic restrictions, serving as a model for future events.
The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth plans to host more international and major sporting events in Singapore, with continued collaboration with health authorities to implement safe management measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Cases of Employees being Redeployed or Asked to Leave their Positions Due to Not Being Vaccinated

Tripartite partners are discussing employer policies on workplace vaccination, stressing that vaccination is voluntary but higher rates help protect businesses and workers.
Many high-risk frontline employees have been vaccinated, and there have been no reported cases of employees being penalized for declining vaccination.
Disputes over vaccination-related redeployment or dismissal should be addressed by seeking case-specific advice and assistance from the Ministry of Manpower.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Measures to Ensure Employers are More Proactive about Workplace Safety

Mrs Josephine Teo outlined that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) uses a mix of commercial incentives, such as the CheckSafe e-service and sharing injury data with insurers, to encourage employers to proactively prioritize workplace safety and health (WSH) as a business interest.
The government has strengthened deterrence through higher fines and imprisonment terms for negligence, with the maximum fine rising to $400,000 and courts imposing imprisonment sentences since 2018, alongside measures like the Business Under Surveillance (BUS) programme and demerit points for construction firms.
For Safe Management Measures (SMM) during COVID-19, MOM conducted nearly 17,000 inspections and issued 178 composition notices totaling $178,000 by March 2021, targeting non-compliances like inadequate remote work arrangements and physical distancing in workplaces.
MOM supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with practical guides, checklists, and grants to implement SMMs, noting that the latest measures are relaxed and designed to be easy to follow, with most SMEs already compliant under previous rules.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Grant to IMF's Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust

The Minister for Transport argued that contributing to the IMF's Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust supports vulnerable countries ravaged by the pandemic and aligns with Singapore's national interest in a cooperative global system where benefits outweigh costs for a small city-state.
He emphasized transparency through IMF oversight and Singapore's representation, while highlighting that contributions are modest, based on formula-driven quotas, and part of a long tradition of sharing expertise and capacity building rather than merely financial aid.
The motion was passed, authorizing a grant of up to 17.6 million US Dollars to the IMF trust for debt relief and disaster response, reflecting Parliament's support for international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Grant to IMF's Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust

The Minister for Transport moved three motions to grant a total of approximately US$20.57 million to the IMF’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust, COVID-19 Crisis Capacity Development Initiative, and the Trust for Special Poverty Reduction and Growth Operations for Somalia, citing the need for collective action to support low-income countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parliament approved a single substantive debate on all three motions, with the Minister noting that the grants align with conditions under the Bretton Woods Agreements Act and will not affect Singapore’s Official Foreign Reserves except for the first two grants, which will reduce reserves by US$19.6 million.
Members of Parliament broadly supported the motions, emphasizing Singapore’s moral duty and self-interest in global recovery, while some called for increased development assistance and better public awareness of Singapore’s international contributions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No 2) Bill

The Minister of State for National Development introduced a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President for the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment No 2) Bill.
The Bill was read for the first time and distributed to Members, with immediate commencement of the second reading.
The debate centered on amending the existing COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 to address urgent public health and economic needs.
The government emphasized the necessity of the amendments to provide temporary relief and support during the pandemic.
The process followed parliamentary procedures, including the laying of the Certificate and distribution of the Bill to Members.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Digital Vaccine Passport and Travel Bubble Arrangements

The Ministry of Transport is exploring mutual recognition of secure digital and physical vaccination certificates with countries like Australia, emphasizing that vaccinations are part of a broader pandemic control strategy including testing and quarantine.
Recent suspension of Singapore Airlines flights to Hong Kong due to technical breaches does not affect ongoing talks to restore their air travel bubble, which will only carry origin-destination passengers without transit travelers.
Singapore is negotiating with multiple countries on vaccination certificate recognition and travel bubbles, prioritizing safety and will announce progress when significant developments occur.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Singaporeans

The Ministry of Health will provide a system for Singaporeans unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons to prove their status, ensuring it is convenient and accessible even without smartphones.
Singapore currently only approves internationally recognized vaccines like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, and while digital vaccine passports are under discussion, mutual recognition with other countries is still early and depends on global vaccination progress.
The government is considering adjustments to border and local measures for vaccinated individuals, such as exempting them from pre-event testing, but more data is needed before changing quarantine or testing rules for travel.
Vaccine passport recognition does not influence which vaccines are approved for use in Singapore, as decisions are based solely on safety, quality, and efficacy standards.
Discussions with other countries on mutual vaccine certificate recognition are ongoing, but details on the number of countries involved or potential costs are premature to share at this stage.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Apr 2021

Update on Singapore's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

Multiple MPs raised questions on improving the vaccination program, such as creating a standby queue for no-shows, allowing early vaccination for those traveling abroad, and prioritizing mosque staff and essential service workers, but the Ministry emphasized limited vaccine supply and the need to follow the prioritization schedule.
The Ministry provided updates on vaccination progress, including the expansion of vaccination centers, high turnout rates, and specific vaccination rates for seniors and other age groups, while noting the logistical challenges of limited supply.
The Ministry addressed queries about post-vaccination support, such as a hotline for symptoms, and studies on antibody levels and herd immunity, but highlighted current plans focus on monitoring and general vaccination by end-2021.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source