Health

He Ting Ru questioned the Minister for Education about updated protocols for handling suicide situations in schools and postvention support for affected students and staff. Desmond Lee emphasized the seriousness of suicide prevention and postvention, outlining that CARE teams, composed of trained teachers and counselors, provide psychological support after a suspected suicide. Affected students receive emotional support and guidance, while parents are sensitively informed and provided with resources. The ministry maintains the privacy of bereaved families and encourages the school community to avoid speculation regarding the cause of death. School staff can access MOE counseling services for support.

Valerie Lee raised concerns about declining youth blood donor rates and inquired about government measures to recruit and retain donors and ensure a sustainable blood supply. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged the issue, attributing it to a declining youth population and reduced interest in blood donation. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is partnering with the Singapore Red Cross to launch campaigns and outreach activities targeting youth, including thematic donation campaigns and the YouthInspire volunteer club. HSA plans to enhance recruitment and recognition efforts, foster partnerships with workplaces to sustain donor participation, and collaborate with hospitals to optimize blood management practices.

He Ting Ru asked about the possibility of new or updated studies on mental health across all demographic groups since the last national study was published in 2016. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that plans for a new national mental health study are underway. Further details regarding the study will be announced soon.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions about mental preparation for enlistees in National Service and the awareness of available support resources. Chan Chun Sing explained that the Ministry of Defence collaborates with various stakeholders to assist pre-enlistees through information sessions and virtual visits, as well as providing resources via the LifeSG app. The Singapore Armed Forces has a robust support system during Full-Time National Service, which includes counselling hotlines and avenues for feedback. Usage of these support channels has remained consistent over the past five years.

The debate addressed Singapore's transition into a super-aged society and the government's initiatives to enhance healthcare delivery and preventive care for older residents. Efforts include the rollout of Healthier SG and AgeWell SG programs focused on preventive healthcare, particularly for seniors and areas with high prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes. Enhancements to MediSave and the introduction of subsidized genetic testing for hereditary cancers were also announced to improve financial accessibility for preventive health measures. The importance of community engagement was emphasized, with plans for more integrated and accessible care services through community health posts and technology, alongside a focus on mental health support and the development of a sustainable healthcare workforce.

The Minister of State for Health, Ms Rahayu Mazam, reported an increase in the Ministry of Health's operating expenditure, with a revised estimate for FY2025 of $18.49 billion, which is 9.7% higher than the previous year's actual expenditure. The trend of rising expenditure is expected to continue, with an estimated FY2026 operating expenditure of $20.04 billion. A correction was made to clarify that the FY2025 estimate is higher than the actual FY2024 expenditure, rather than FY2025 as previously stated.

He Ting Ru raised concerns about an increase in artificial intelligence-induced psychosis and sought information on the number of cases reported over the past three years and the Ministry's collaborative efforts to address the issue. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged international reports of psychological disturbances linked to intensive AI use but noted that this is not yet an established clinical diagnosis. He stated that there are no clear local trends indicating a rise in these cases, but the Ministry is monitoring the situation due to potential health risks associated with AI and digital media.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin questioned the Ministry of Health's assessment of increased telemedicine and third-party medication delivery, particularly regarding continuity of care and pharmacists' clinical roles. Ong Ye Kung responded that appropriate safeguards are in place for telemedicine, requiring licensed doctors to oversee service providers and compliance with ethical guidelines. Retail pharmacies are regulated to ensure adherence to medication delivery standards, with pharmacists responsible for proper counseling on medication use in all settings.

Hamid Razak raised questions regarding the GST treatment of medically indicated medications that patients must obtain privately due to unavailability in public healthcare institutions. Ong Ye Kung responded that the government fully absorbs the GST for subsidized patients obtaining medications at public healthcare institutions. If a medication is unavailable at one institution, efforts are made to check other institutions or to procure the medication, reducing the need for patients to seek private options in most cases.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Ministry of Health about enhancing public education on the appropriate coverage for Integrated Shield Plans and the possibility of publishing data on insurer profitability relating to private hospital insurance. Ong Ye Kung highlighted that a public education campaign was launched in 2025 to inform the public about the Integrated Shield Plans and the impact of riders. The Ministry also provides comparisons of plan benefits and lifetime premiums, and introduced the Health Insurance Planner tool for informed decision-making. Additionally, aggregate data on gross premiums and claims shows that most insurers are not profiting from their health insurance portfolios.

Ang Wei Neng asked about the status of the LumiHealth program, specifically the number of active users in February 2026, e-vouchers issued since 2023, the reasons for ending LumiHealth, and whether Healthy 365 serves as a replacement. Ong Ye Kung explained that LumiHealth was a two-year experimental program designed to promote active lifestyles, which concluded on May 31, 2026, after engaging over 377,000 Singaporeans. He noted that HPB cannot disclose e-voucher numbers due to the commercial nature of the partnership, and the learnings from LumiHealth are being integrated into Healthy 365 as part of the digital health ecosystem.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked if the Ministry of Health plans to provide tracking devices for dementia patients at reduced costs to aid in their safety and caregiving. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry does not recommend routine use of tracking devices due to ethical and privacy concerns. The issue requires careful consideration within a broader care plan, although some community trials are currently in progress.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the proportion of polyclinic consultations conducted via telehealth services for 2024 and 2025. Ong Ye Kung reported that telehealth services accounted for about 2% of monthly polyclinic attendances during that period, indicating a modest use partly due to the need for appropriate and safe delivery. Efforts are being made to expand telehealth use and assist patients with technology navigation, in partnership with community organizations. While patient satisfaction with telehealth services is not specifically tracked, feedback is collected to inform service improvements.

Assoc Prof Terence Ho highlighted the urgent need for a community-based caregiving corps as Singapore becomes a super-aged society, stressing proactive training for caregivers to alleviate the burden on hospitals and support families. Ng Chee Meng discussed the pressures faced by middle-income families and suggested enhancements to the Caregiver Support Action Plan, including expanding support for those caring for family members with milder disabilities. Alex Yeo emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare for seniors, advocating for screenings for dementia and osteoporosis, and called for more mental health support for the elderly. Azhar Othman proposed the use of video consultations to improve healthcare access for caregivers managing both elderly parents and young children, while Haresh Singaraju urged for better integration and activation of healthcare services to ensure continuity and effectiveness in patient care. Choo Pei Ling underscored the need for technology in healthcare that not only extends lifespan but also enhances independence and improves overall health outcomes for seniors.

Mariam Jaafar highlighted the shortcomings of the current Medisave and MediShield systems in addressing the growing needs for chronic and preventive healthcare, arguing for substantial reforms to better support long-term care and preventive measures. Emphasizing the need for a shift towards early disability support, fairer means testing, and the evolution of MediSave to fund preventive care, Jaafar called for a recalibration of health financing to encourage early action and sustainable health management. Pritam Singh and other MPs echoed concerns regarding sustainable healthcare in a rapidly aging population, discussing the inadequacy of MediSave withdrawal limits and pushing for improvements in the management of chronic diseases, along with workforce capacity to meet the increasing healthcare demands. The need for integrated community care and better recognition and support for caregivers was also raised, with proposals for pilot programs and policy adjustments to enhance care access and reduce caregiver burden. Lastly, discussions included the mental health crisis and emerging concerns about behavioral addictions such as problematic pornography use, advocating for national studies and community support frameworks to address these public health challenges effectively.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong requested the establishment of an independent centralised helpline for reporting abuse and harassment in public healthcare institutions to improve accountability and follow-up. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that public healthcare institutions already have internal mechanisms to manage such cases, emphasizing the need for hospitals to handle incidents due to confidentiality and the involvement of patients as potential perpetrators. Koh reiterated the Ministry of Health's zero-tolerance policy toward abuse of healthcare workers and noted that concerns can be escalated to the Ministry for independent reviews if necessary. Tan highlighted a resident's concern over potential conflicts of interest in hospital-managed processes, advocating for more independent oversight.

Yip Hon Weng raised a concern about the potential for premium increases in Integrated Shield Plans and riders affecting seniors and middle-income households. The Minister of State for Health, Rahayu Mahzam, explained that these plans are private products influenced by market forces, and the government's role focuses on ensuring affordable and quality subsidized healthcare. Yip emphasized the need for a pricing council to enhance financial security and access for seniors amidst rising costs. Rahayu responded by acknowledging consumer concerns while reiterating the necessity to balance market considerations and mentioning ongoing efforts to improve consumer protection and pricing transparency in the healthcare sector.

Gerald Giam Yean Song questioned the Minister for Health about the factors behind a projected $0.31 billion reduction in the Ministry's FY2025 operating expenditure and how this aligns with increasing care demands due to an aging population. The Minister of State for Health explained that the reduction, approximately 1.6% of the initial budget, was due to lower-than-expected operating cost increases in public healthcare. Giam sought further clarity on specific operational cost reductions and raised concerns about potential compromises in patient care due to these changes. The Minister reassured that patient care has not been compromised and that the reductions were related to operational decisions rather than a decline in service quality.

Hamid Razak questioned the Ministry of Health about the role of community mental health services in Singapore's care continuum, including whether they serve as first-contact services, post-hospital step-down care, or both. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that community mental health teams, including the Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and Community Intervention Teams (COMIT), serve both purposes. The Ministry monitors various indicators of these services, which inform service design and resource allocation. Hamid raised concerns about ensuring adequate resourcing and staffing for community mental health workers to maintain care standards and support their welfare, to which Koh acknowledged ongoing assessments and the provision of training and resources to address any gaps.

Gerald Giam Yean Song raised questions regarding community support services for gaming disorder among young adults, and the need for stricter regulations in the gaming industry. The Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, stated that there are existing counseling and intervention programs available, and highlighted efforts to introduce regulatory measures to protect users, including the Code of Practice for Online Safety. Giam suggested measures like ethical game design requirements and technical workshops to improve digital literacy, while Koh noted that further inquiries about app design should be directed to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information. Koh emphasized the importance of balancing user protection with personal autonomy and the need for evidence-driven regulation.