Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

4 Jan 2021

Efforts to Promote Mental Wellness among Elderly in Isolation Wards with Difficulty Utilising Technology

Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that isolation room admissions are medically necessary to reduce infection spread and are regularly reviewed, with elderly patients monitored for mental distress.
Hospital staff assist elderly patients with difficulty using technology to maintain family contact through phone calls or videoconferencing.
Efforts to promote mental wellness include providing access to media like television, radio, and newspapers, and engaging patients in conversations or simple activities when clinically appropriate.

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4 Jan 2021

Eligibility Criteria for Women Aged 40 and Above to Receive Government Co-funding for Assisted Reproduction Technology procedures

Gan Thiam Poh asked whether the Ministry of Health will revise the eligibility criteria for women aged 40 and above to receive government co-funding for Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) procedures.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that co-funding is directed at couples where the woman is below 40 on their first attempt to encourage early family planning, as clinical evidence shows lower conception rates after age 40.
The ART co-funding scheme was enhanced in January 2020 to allow couples who started treatment before the wife turned 40 to use up to two of the six co-funded cycles at age 40 or later.
The Ministry will continue to monitor clinical evidence and update eligibility criteria as appropriate.
The debate focuses on balancing support for older women with the need to base policies on scientific evidence of treatment effectiveness.

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4 Jan 2021

Sexual Assault Cases Handled by OneSafe Centre in Last Three Years and Plans to Review Requirement and Timeframe for Forensic and Medical Examinations

Ms Raeesah Khan asked about the annual number of sexual assault cases handled by the OneSafe Centre as a percentage of total police cases and whether the 72-hour timeframe for forensic exams will be reviewed.
She also questioned the requirement for parental consent for victims under 21 and suggested lowering the age to 16 or allowing third-party signatures to encourage reporting.
Minister K Shanmugam responded that forensic exams are for serious crimes like rape and are most effective within 72 hours, as per WHO guidelines, with 70 exams conducted at OneSafe from 2017–2019.
He explained that parental consent is required for minors due to common law, but the ministry is reviewing the minimum age for consent among other issues.

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4 Jan 2021

Undue Influence of Pharmaceutical Companies' Marketing Incentives on Healthcare Providers

The Ministry of Health requires healthcare providers to follow professional standards that prioritize patient interests over any third-party influences, and larger healthcare institutions have their own policies to ensure integrity and transparency in relationships with pharmaceutical companies.
The Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (SAPI) promotes self-regulation through a Code of Conduct, but the Ministry does not monitor compliance or have information on violations, as SAPI is a private association.
The Ministry is developing common best practices for healthcare institutions on accepting external sponsorships, to be implemented in public institutions in 2021 and later expanded to a Code of Practice for both public and private sectors.
The Ministry is not currently considering a centralized reporting system for pharmaceutical companies’ payments to healthcare providers, instead focusing on institutional policies and inviting feedback on improper practices.

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4 Jan 2021

Companies that Do Not Offer Employee Assistance Programmes to Staff

Melvin Yong asked about the percentage of companies not offering Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) and plans to increase adoption under the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces.
Josephine Teo noted no recent data, citing a 2017 study where less than 5% of employers offered EAP, and emphasized the Tripartite Advisory's goal to promote EAP adoption for employee support.
The Ministry collaborates with partners like the Health Promotion Board and unions to educate employers on EAP services and integrate mental well-being into workplace programmes.

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4 Jan 2021

Regular Monitoring of Height and Weight of Students

Schools measure all students' height and weight twice a year using a Body Mass Index-for-age chart to monitor physical development, with students outside the healthy range receiving support for gradual BMI improvement.
Parents are informed to reinforce healthy habits at home, and severely overweight or underweight students are referred to the Health Promotion Board’s Student Health Centre for medical assessment and lifestyle counselling.
Physical education lessons teach good eating habits and regular physical activity, and schools communicate physical development status through annual Physical Fitness Test reports or twice-yearly Holistic Development Profile reports.

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4 Jan 2021

Health and Life Insurance for Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry has consulted with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, and will issue guidelines for private insurers to ensure fair treatment without discrimination based on disability or mental health conditions.
Private insurers must assess applications using objective risk data rather than the fact of a disability, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Ministry of Social and Family Development are working with the industry to implement these guidelines, which will be finalised after public consultation.
National insurance schemes MediShield Life and CareShield Life cover persons with disabilities, while private insurance options vary, and the government is collecting data and ensuring fair practices through industry associations.

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4 Jan 2021

Review Medical Insurance Coverage for Work Permit Holders

Murali Pillai questioned if employers of work permit holders are increasingly paying medical bills beyond the current $15,000 annual insurance coverage and whether the Ministry plans to increase this coverage.
Mrs Josephine Teo responded that about 95% of hospitalization bills for work permit and S Pass holders have been below $15,000 over the past three years, indicating the current coverage is generally sufficient.
The Ministry of Manpower is developing an insurance programme to help employers manage large, unexpected medical expenses, which may involve higher premiums but aims to keep cost impacts manageable.
An update on the new insurance programme will be provided in due course, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance employer peace of mind with affordability.

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4 Jan 2021

Mental and Financial Support for Youth Care-givers

The Ministry recognizes the heavy emotional, mental, and physical toll on youth caregivers and has launched initiatives like the Caregiver Support Action Plan and Home Caregiving Grant to provide financial and care navigation support.
Mental and emotional support is available through helplines, counselling services, and peer support networks, including specialized youth services, with schools also offering well-being programmes and trained professionals.
Youth caregivers are encouraged to approach teachers or education institutions for practical and emotional support, while the Youth Mental Well-being Network engages the community to enhance youth mental well-being.
The government and community can further help by sharing information on support schemes and encouraging caregivers to seek assistance, fostering a kinder and more empathetic society.

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4 Jan 2021

Plans for Standard PPEs to be Made Moisture Permeable

Joan Pereira asked whether there are plans to make standard PPE moisture permeable to prevent thermal strain among healthcare workers.
Gan Kim Yong explained that PPE must meet safety standards like fluid resistance and liquid barrier performance to protect against infectious contaminants.
To address thermal strain, healthcare institutions have implemented measures such as exempting vulnerable staff from prolonged PPE use and adjusting shift durations.
Healthcare workers are also encouraged to rest, hydrate regularly, and report if they feel unwell while using PPE.

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4 Jan 2021

Support for Homeless People with Health Problems

Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked how the Ministry plans to support homeless people with health problems, citing a study on homelessness in Singapore.
Minister Masagos Zulkifli explained that MSF works with community partners through the PEERS Network to reach out to homeless individuals, provide social and financial assistance, and refer them to healthcare institutions for medical support, subsidies, and integrated care plans.
MSF collaborates with partners to set up Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps), Transitional Shelters, and Senior Group Homes to provide safe rest and shelter, with the goal of helping them secure long-term stable housing.
The public can assist by calling the ComCare hotline or referring homeless individuals to Social Service Offices or Family Service Centres for help.

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4 Jan 2021

Help for Stateless Persons who Require Social and Financial Assistance

Stateless persons who are Permanent Residents (PRs) receive the same healthcare and education subsidies as other PRs, while non-PR stateless individuals may access certain subsidies in specific healthcare settings and are charged international student fees for education.
ComCare financial assistance is primarily for Singapore Citizens and PRs, but Social Service Offices can flexibly provide aid on a case-by-case basis to non-PR stateless persons, especially the elderly or long-term residents without family support.
Community partners and non-government resources, such as donations, are used to offer financial assistance to stateless persons for healthcare and educational needs, particularly when they do not qualify for government schemes.

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4 Jan 2021

Increasing Number of Community Care Apartments

Alex Yam asked whether the Ministry has plans to increase community care apartments if the pilot is successful and if such services could be incorporated into regular HDB estates.
Desmond Lee responded that the first pilot at Bukit Batok will launch in February 2021, with plans for more pilots if initial take-up is good, but longer-term plans depend on evaluation of the initial pilot.
He noted that the services in community care apartments mirror existing community services, with a unique Shared Caregiving Service offering round-the-clock assistance, which will be monitored for suitability for broader application.

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4 Jan 2021

Providing More Help for Those Undergoing In-vitro Fertilisation

Louis Ng shared his personal experience with IVF, stating that couples in Singapore face high costs, emotional strain, and limited subsidies, and he proposed extending subsidies to seven and eight IVF cycles, introducing subsidies for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, removing the quota on fresh and frozen cycles, and introducing fertility leave for both spouses.
The government representative acknowledged the challenges and outlined existing support, such as co-funding for six cycles and MediSave usage, but emphasized balancing public funds with clinical evidence, noting that success rates decrease with more cycles and age, and that they are reviewing subsidies for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis but have no plans to change the number of subsidized IVF cycles at present.
Both sides agreed on the importance of supporting couples with fertility challenges, with the government committing to ongoing reviews and encouraging workplace flexibility, while the member requested updates on the timeline for subsidy reviews.

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4 Jan 2021

Third Update on Whole-of-Government Response to COVID-19

Singapore has secured sufficient vaccine supplies for all citizens and long-term residents, with a phased rollout prioritizing healthcare workers, the elderly, and high-risk sectors, aiming for full coverage by the third quarter of 2021.
The government emphasizes a multi-layered defense strategy, including safe distancing, testing, and contact tracing, while urging vigilance against new virus variants and maintaining border restrictions for high-risk travelers.
Vaccination is voluntary but strongly encouraged to protect individuals and the community, with free access for all eligible residents and ongoing efforts to address public concerns about safety and efficacy.

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4 Jan 2021

Probe into Error in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's Laboratory Test for Cancer Patients

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital identified inaccuracies in HER2 testing for breast cancer patients since 2012, affecting 200 patients who were reclassified from HER2-positive to HER2-negative, with eight treated at private hospitals and 192 at government hospitals.
The hospital is refunding costs for unnecessary treatments, providing clinical and financial support, and has formed joint care teams to review patient care plans, while an independent committee investigates the root cause, linked to suboptimal staining processes.
The Ministry of Health has alerted other institutions to review laboratory tests, emphasized the complexity of immunohistochemistry testing, and assured that patients not contacted are unaffected, with ongoing efforts to address psychological and financial concerns compassionately.

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4 Jan 2021

Details of COVID-19 Vaccination Roll-out Plan and Concerns on Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines

Members of Parliament asked about the number of COVID-19 vaccines secured, the rollout schedule, and the earliest start date.
Concerns were raised on vaccine safety, efficacy criteria, potential side effects, and whether vaccinated individuals would receive a vaccination card.
Queries also covered the availability of different vaccine types and whether individuals could choose their preferred vaccine.
The Minister for Health requested to address the questions in a forthcoming Ministerial Statement for comprehensive context.

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4 Nov 2020

Submission of Online Applications for COVID-19 Support Grant Limited to Working Hours

Gerald Giam asked why the COVID-19 Support Grant online application portal operates only during working hours and if it could be available 24/7 except for maintenance.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that the portal is open daily including weekends and holidays, with 96% of over 180,000 applications submitted online since May 2020.
The 9 am to 6 pm operating hours were chosen to allow daily system monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure reliable service.
The Ministry will continue to assess portal availability based on user feedback and service needs.

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4 Nov 2020

Prevalence of COVID-19 Infections amongst Foreign Domestic Workers

As of 28 October 2020, 139 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) tested positive for COVID-19, with 109 imported cases during Stay-Home Notice and 30 locally transmitted cases, resulting in an infection rate of 0.01% among FDWs, which is lower than the community rate of 0.04%.
Most locally transmitted FDW cases were linked to their employer's household, while a few had no established links, and none spread the infection within the employer's household except for one cluster link.
The Ministry of Manpower issued advisories and educational materials to minimize FDWs' exposure, encouraged arrangements for less crowded rest days, and promoted the use of TraceTogether and e-remittance services.
Incoming FDWs must meet the same entry requirements as other travellers, including pre-departure testing, serving a 14-day SHN at dedicated facilities, and testing negative before release to manage importation risks.

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4 Nov 2020

Extension of Co-Funding for Assisted Conception Procedures Scheme to Private Assisted Reproduction Centres

Louis Ng asked whether the government could extend the Co-Funding for Assisted Conception Procedures scheme to private assisted reproduction centres.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that co-funding is currently available at public centres with sufficient capacity and low wait times.
The Minister said the government will study extending co-funding to private centres while ensuring reasonable charges, and that couples using private centres can already use MediSave to reduce costs.

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