Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

6 Oct 2020

Extension of Project Wolbachia to Sengkang and Rest of Singapore to Complement Existing Vector Control Strategies

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked when Project Wolbachia will be extended to Sengkang and the rest of Singapore to complement existing vector control strategies.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the National Environment Agency began Project Wolbachia in 2016 with phased trials to evaluate the technology, noting challenges in scaling up due to its nascent status and the need for innovative engineering solutions.
Initial results in Yishun and Tampines are promising, but further trials are needed to optimize release methods, with plans to expand coverage in these towns by 2022 and test in landed housing estates based on trial outcomes and risk assessments.
The government emphasized that Wolbachia technology is not a standalone solution and must be complemented by community efforts and comprehensive mosquito surveillance and control strategies.

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6 Oct 2020

Measures or Guidelines in Place to Protect Workers Vulnerable to COVID-19 Upon Returning to Regular Office-based Work

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health about measures to protect COVID-19-vulnerable workers returning to office-based work, with the broader context of resuming social and economic activities safely.
Gan Kim Yong responded that safe management measures like mask-wearing, good hygiene, and safe distancing remain key to preventing spread in workplaces and the community, and unwell individuals should avoid work and seek medical care.
The Ministry of Manpower’s guidelines require companies to incorporate these practices and pay special attention to vulnerable employees (e.g., those aged 60 and above or with medical conditions) by enabling them to work from home or redeploying them to suitable roles if feasible.

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6 Oct 2020

Claims Rejected under Integrated Shield Plan but Successfully Processed under MediShield Life Cover

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked for statistics on Integrated Shield Plan claims rejected despite medical necessity and the subsequent processing under MediShield Life.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that over 90% of Integrated Shield Plan claims were approved in 2019, with rejections mainly due to non-covered treatments or pre-existing conditions.
The Minister clarified that all Integrated Shield Plan claims are processed for MediShield Life coverage by the CPF Board, regardless of the insurer's decision.
The government does not have data on the medical necessity of rejected Integrated Shield Plan claims.
MediShield Life is an integral component of Integrated Shield Plans, ensuring automatic consideration of claims under the basic scheme.

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6 Oct 2020

Plans in Place to Deal with Potential New Wave of COVID-19 Infections

The Ministry of Health outlined a multi-pronged strategy to manage potential new COVID-19 waves, including using surge capacity, converting hospital spaces, deferring non-essential services, expanding facilities with private sector partners, and hiring additional temporary staff.
To prevent staff burnout, healthcare clusters implement measures such as reviewing duty rosters for adequate rest, rotating staff duties, providing counselling and helplines, and allowing annual leave applications as the situation stabilizes.
The government has announced a special bonus for frontline public officers directly involved in the COVID-19 response, with appreciation to be shown through both monetary and non-monetary means at an appropriate time.

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6 Oct 2020

Corrective Actions taken on Cases Misclassified as Confirmed COVID-19 Infections and Measures to Prevent Further Occurences

Miss Cheng Li Hui questioned how 41 cases were misclassified as confirmed COVID-19 infections, what corrective and public health actions were taken, and how such errors can be prevented in the future.
Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that most misclassifications were due to administrative errors like duplicated or wrongly recorded lab entries, with eight cases reclassified after lab and clinical review; corrective actions included isolating cases appropriately and rescinding quarantine orders for close contacts.
Laboratories are licensed and required to implement counterchecks, staff retraining, and IT integration to prevent recurrence, while MOH conducts thorough investigations including repeat testing and clinical review for borderline results, initially classifying them as positive to enable early public health measures.

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6 Oct 2020

Data on Outpatient Visits for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Spondyloarthritis

Member Louis Ng asked the Ministry of Health for annual outpatient visit and cost data for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Spondyloarthritis in public hospitals over the past five years, as well whether the Ministry will collect this data if unavailable.
Minister Gan Kim Yong clarified that Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease and Spondyloarthritis refers to inflammatory spine and joint conditions, and provided a table with Specialist Outpatient Clinic visit counts, bill sizes, and out-of-pocket expenses per visit from public health institutions for the past five years.
The Minister’s response addressed both parts of the question by presenting the available data and indicating that the Ministry collects such information through public health institutions.

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6 Oct 2020

Selective Weekend Entry Restrictions Imposed on Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned why selective weekend entry restrictions apply only to Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza, asking if they are based on expected footfall, the relative footfall compared to other malls, and whether the government will consider rental subsidies or closure with rebates for affected tenants.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that before restrictions, these malls saw very high weekend visitor numbers (27,000 and 9,400 daily), causing long queues, crowded thoroughfares, and public safety concerns, which justified targeted entry controls not needed in other malls.
Since the restrictions began on 29 August, the malls have seen improved crowd management, compliance with safe distancing, and reduced transmission risks while remaining open, with no similar high congestion elsewhere.
The government provides rental reliefs, cash grants, and property tax rebates to tenants, which property owners must pass on, and continues to work with mall management to ensure a safe environment.

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6 Oct 2020

Help for Contractors Faced With Dormitory Constraints or Higher Temporary Living Quarter Costs

Miss Cheryl Chan asked the Minister for Manpower about support for contractors facing dormitory shortages and doubled costs for foreign worker housing.
The government moved workers to temporary sites, increased construction of temporary quarters, and reduced dormitory occupancy by 30% to lower COVID-19 risks.
New quick-built and contractor-built dormitories will add 60,000 beds to stabilize rental prices, which have remained stable overall despite some higher asking rents.

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6 Oct 2020

Reviewing Healthcare Services Support Schemes for Healthcare Inflation

Leon Perera asked how often subsidy levels for healthcare support schemes like CHAS are reviewed for healthcare inflation.
MOH regularly reviews these schemes, considering factors like healthcare inflation and household incomes, with recent enhancements to CHAS in November 2019.
The 2019 review updated income criteria, benefiting over 365,000 residents with higher subsidies, ensuring affordability for all, especially lower-income groups.

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6 Oct 2020

Risk of Medication Errors Due to Similar Drug Packaging

The Minister for Health acknowledged that public health institutions and procurement agencies assess risks from look-alike drug packaging and changes in syrup concentrations during medication procurement and supply chain disruptions.
A multi-pronged approach is used, including evaluating packaging similarity with suppliers, educating healthcare staff on changes, and using distinguishing labels, colours, and storage separation to prevent errors.
Additional safeguards involve counter-checks in wards for medication preparation and administration, as well as affixing multilingual stickers and verbal reminders to patients about packaging or dosage changes.

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6 Oct 2020

Disamenities and Inconveniences Caused by Placement of Safe Distancing Barricades at Public Places

The Minister acknowledged the disamenities caused by safe distancing barricades but emphasized they were necessary during the Circuit Breaker to curb virus transmission and protect public health.
As Singapore reopened, some barriers were removed, but control measures remain in crowded hotspots to prevent inter-mingling and maintain safety, with agencies working to minimize inconvenience.
Feedback from the public is considered, and adjustments are made where possible, such as lifting entry restrictions at markets after assessing crowd levels and risks.
The government urges continued public cooperation with safe distancing measures to keep community transmission under control.

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6 Oct 2020

Help for Small F&B Outlets to Implement Safe Distancing Measures

Darryl David inquired about support for small F&B outlets to enforce safe distancing while fearing customer backlash and business loss, even for first-time offenses.
Grace Fu Hai Yien detailed that F&B establishments resumed dine-in services with strict safe management measures, including group size limits, mask-wearing, and safe distancing, supported by advisories, ambassadors, and enforcement officers.
While many F&B operators, including small ones, proactively implemented measures, a minority breached rules, leading to closures, fines, and enforcement against both establishments and non-compliant patrons.
The government emphasized collective responsibility to maintain low COVID-19 caseloads, with agencies stepping up checks and considering operator efforts in enforcement actions.

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6 Oct 2020

Flexibility in Administering COVID-19 Relief Schemes for Residents in Landed Property and Those with Chronic Health Conditions

Yip Hon Weng asked if COVID-19 relief schemes could be more flexible for residents in landed properties they may not own and for Merdeka and Pioneer Generation Singaporeans with chronic health conditions.
Heng Swee Keat explained that relief schemes like the COVID-19 Support Grant and SIRS target those with less means, using criteria such as property Annual Value to prioritize need, but appeals for extenuating circumstances are considered case-by-case.
The government noted that broad-based support like the Solidarity Payment and Care and Support–Cash schemes did not use property value criteria and included extra payouts for seniors, including Pioneer and Merdeka Generations.
Merdeka and Pioneer Generation seniors receive lifelong healthcare benefits like MediSave top-ups and premium subsidies to help with healthcare costs.
Those needing further help can approach MSF Social Service Offices, with ComCare applications exercised more flexibly during the pandemic.

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6 Oct 2020

Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill

The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill was introduced and moved by Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong on behalf of the Minister for Health.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, and considered without amendments.
The Bill was subsequently read a third time and passed by Parliament without further debate or changes.

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6 Oct 2020

Civil Law (Amendment) Bill

The government is proposing amendments to the Civil Law and Medical Registration Acts to address systemic issues in the medical disciplinary process and the standard for informed consent, following a comprehensive review that found uncertainty and defensive medicine were eroding trust in the doctor-patient relationship.
The Civil Law (Amendment) Bill will legislate a new test for medical advice, combining peer professional opinion with patient autonomy, aiming to provide clarity and certainty for healthcare professionals while preserving patient rights.
The Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill aims to strengthen the medical disciplinary system by establishing new bodies like a Disciplinary Commission, introducing timelines to expedite cases, and enhancing patient protection, with the goal of making the process fairer and more efficient.

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6 Oct 2020

Aviation Recovery

Singapore’s aviation sector has been devastated by COVID-19, with passenger traffic at Changi Airport falling to 1.5% of pre-pandemic levels and affecting thousands of jobs and related industries, prompting the government to prioritize reviving the air hub.
The Minister outlined a phased, risk-managed approach to reopening borders, leveraging improved testing capacity, tracing technology, and lower community infection rates to replace quarantine with testing for travelers from low-risk countries.
Key measures include pursuing Reciprocal Green Lanes for business travel, facilitating safe airport transfers, unilaterally opening borders to countries with comparable low infection rates, and exploring Air Travel Bubbles for general travelers.
The government is providing targeted financial support to airlines and aviation firms, including the Jobs Support Scheme and an Enhanced Aviation Support Package, while pausing Terminal 5 construction to reassess long-term plans.
The debate emphasized the need to balance economic survival with public safety, with the goal of restoring Singapore’s status as a global aviation hub through gradual, cautious reopening steps.

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6 Oct 2020

Support for Workers Suffering from Workplace-related Mental Health Issues

The Tripartite Advisory on Mental Health is scheduled for publication in Q4 2021 and is undergoing consultation with employers, unions, and professionals, with a current interim advisory available for reference.
Melvin Yong raised concerns about blurred work-life boundaries due to telecommuting, suggesting the advisory include guidelines on the "right to disconnect" to help workers manage non-critical work communications outside hours.
The government acknowledged the challenges of remote work but noted that legislation on disconnection rights, like France's El Khomri law, requires careful consideration given Singapore's flexible work environments and multinational contexts.
Louis Ng asked if the advisory would clarify that employers should not request mental health information unless directly relevant to job performance, and the response indicated the advisory would protect worker well-being but details are pending.

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6 Oct 2020

Expand Powers under Mental Health Act to Allow for Intervention when Relatives Do Not Allow Patients To Receive Treatment

Murali Pillai raised concerns about the Mental Health Act not allowing state intervention when relatives refuse psychiatric treatment for patients who are not abused or neglected, citing a specific case where a family preferred spiritual healing over professional care.
The Ministry of Health explained that existing laws already permit intervention for individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others, but the focus is on early, voluntary support through community outreach teams and services like the Agency for Integrated Care.
MOH acknowledged the need for better support for patients with challenging behaviors and is reviewing legislative and community enablers, including engaging religious and spiritual healers as part of the approach.
Carrie Tan inquired about recovery data for mental health treatments and the exploration of alternative methods like TCM, to which MOH responded that they would gather data and remain open to considering alternative approaches.
The debate highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen mental health support in the community, with MOH committed to reviewing policies and incorporating stakeholder feedback to address gaps in care.

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6 Oct 2020

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on SAF Operations and Training

The SAF maintained critical operations and training throughout the pandemic by implementing strict health measures, cohorting personnel, and adapting schedules to ensure operational readiness.
Over 6,000 MINDEF/SAF personnel were deployed to support national COVID-19 tasks, including contact tracing and managing recovery facilities, while the SAF resumed overseas exercises and enhanced local training.
The SAF plans to step up both local and overseas training by leveraging mass testing and innovative methods like saliva testing to manage infection risks and sustain training tempo amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns.

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5 Oct 2020

Malay/Muslim Community's Response to Meet Religious Needs in Light of COVID-19 Restrictions by Age Group

The Malay/Muslim community, led by religious leaders and Muis, adapted religious practices by closing mosques early, allowing household prayer gatherings, and deferring the Haj pilgrimage to safeguard public health, while progressively resuming Friday prayers with safe management measures.
New digital platforms like SalamSG TV, online aLIVE and ADIL classes, and the MuslimSG app provided religious content for all age groups, with strong engagement and subsidies for those in need, helping the community maintain religious practices despite restrictions.
The community showed resilience by assisting less tech-savvy elderly with online access, supporting mosque operations through digital donations, and demonstrating compassion by delivering meals to migrant workers during Hari Raya Haji, reinforcing unity and care during the pandemic.

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