Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

5 Oct 2020

Enforcement of COVID-19 Measures on People with Special Needs

Member Saktiandi Supaat inquired about police training and empathy in enforcing COVID-19 measures, especially for children with special needs who struggle with regulations like mask wearing.
Minister K Shanmugam stated that while mask enforcement is for public health, police officers use flexibility and an advisory approach with vulnerable individuals.
Officers are trained to engage such persons and caregivers simply, and may suggest face shields as an alternative for those who cannot wear masks.
The Minister emphasized that police training includes skills for handling vulnerable persons as part of general policing.
The overall response aimed to balance compliance with empathy, ensuring rules are followed while accommodating special needs.

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5 Oct 2020

Trends of Healthcare Charges Due to Greater Access to Insurance that Reduces Individual Cost-sharing Burden

Between 2017 and 2019, average inpatient bill sizes in private healthcare settings grew by about 7% annually, roughly double the 3.4% growth for unsubsidised patients in public "A" wards, while day surgery bills in the private setting grew 4.3% compared to 0.6% for public unsubsidised patients.
Government subsidies of up to 80% for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents in public healthcare institutions make direct charge comparisons with private providers less meaningful.
Some insurance products, like Integrated Plan riders with full coverage, have contributed to higher growth in private sector bills by reducing cost-sharing, potentially leading to over-utilisation and rising costs.
In 2018, the Ministry introduced a minimum co-payment requirement for new IP riders to preserve the co-payment principle and mitigate over-utilisation, with measures expected to take time to show effects.
Stakeholders, including patients and medical practitioners, are urged to exercise responsibility in choosing and recommending appropriate and necessary care.

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5 Oct 2020

Flexibility for MediSave Claims for Age-related Medical Treatment

Dr Lim Wee Kiak sought more flexibility for MediSave claims for age-related conditions like macular degeneration and suggested reviewing withdrawal limits for the elderly with high account balances to reduce out-of-pocket payments.
The Ministry of Health highlighted existing support through government subsidies, MediShield Life, MediSave, and MediFund, and noted recent enhancements like increased outpatient limits, the MediSave Care scheme, and lowered age thresholds for Flexi-MediSave.
The Ministry emphasized regular reviews of withdrawal limits to balance affordability for healthcare with retaining savings for future needs, and outlined options like MediFund or case-by-case appeals for those facing payment difficulties.

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5 Oct 2020

Private Hire Vehicle Companies' Rule for Maximum of Three Passengers

Patrick Tay questioned why private hire vehicle companies were allowed to impose a maximum of three passengers and leave the front seat empty, affecting drivers and passengers.
Ong Ye Kung explained that the requirement was introduced by operators like Grab to create physical distancing during COVID-19, with LTA respecting their decisions if communicated upfront.
He noted that Grab lifted the restriction on 2 October 2020.

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5 Oct 2020

Safe Distancing Guidelines for Outdoor Live Performances

Henry Kwek asked the Ministry to work with the National Arts Council on specific safe distancing guidelines for outdoor live performances, instead of blanket restrictions, to help artists earn a living.
Minister Edwin Tong acknowledged the arts sector’s struggles and highlighted global COVID-19 risks from live performances, citing examples in the Netherlands and Japan.
The Ministry and NAC are developing safe management measures through pilots at indoor and outdoor venues to resume live performances safely.
Successful pilots, like a traditional music performance at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre, will guide the gradual scaling of live events while prioritizing health safety.
The public is urged to support the arts through online shows and donations, and to cooperate with new safe management measures during this transition.

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5 Oct 2020

Extension of Social Egg Freezing to More Individuals

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked for an update on social egg freezing, whether the policy could be extended beyond medical grounds, and if the Ministry is aware of Singaporeans going overseas for preservation.
Masagos Zulkifli stated that the Government encourages early marriage and parenthood, currently only allows egg freezing for medical reasons, and is carefully reviewing whether to extend it to social grounds.
He noted potential benefits of social egg freezing for personal circumstances but highlighted concerns about delaying parenthood and increased pregnancy risks with age.
The Ministry does not track or have data on Singaporeans going overseas for egg or sperm preservation.

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5 Oct 2020

IVF Success Rates with Fresh and Frozen Eggs

From 2016 to 2018, 4,673 babies were born through assisted reproduction technology in Singapore.
Success rates for fresh and frozen eggs in IVF are largely comparable according to international scientific literature.
The government has enhanced support by removing the age limit for ART treatments and the cap on the number of cycles, while also providing co-funding and MediSave usage for procedures.

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5 Oct 2020

Daily Capacity for Conducting COVID-19 Tests

Mr. Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health about the average daily COVID-19 testing levels, the timeline for reaching 40,000 tests per day, and whether daily testing numbers would be published.
The Minister confirmed that in September 2020, an average of 27,200 individuals were tested daily using PCR tests, equivalent to about 4,700 tests per million people.
The government is on track to achieve a daily testing capacity of 40,000 tests by November 2020.
The Ministry of Health already publishes weekly updates on total swabs and unique persons tested on its website every Tuesday.

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5 Oct 2020

Subsidy for Dengue Vaccines

Ms Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry of Health will subsidise dengue vaccines for people who have had prior dengue infection due to affordability concerns.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that Dengvaxia is only suitable for those previously infected and is not recommended for population-wide use in Singapore due to low dengue prevalence rates.
The Ministry’s Expert Committee advises against including the vaccine in national schedules, so it is not eligible for government subsidy, though individuals may consult doctors for private vaccination.
MOH will continue monitoring vaccine developments and review policies regularly, while emphasising that vector control remains the primary method for dengue prevention.

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5 Oct 2020

Number of COVID-19 Cases amongst Crew of Ships Calling at Singapore Ports

In the last six months, 21 COVID-19 cases were reported from the crew of three ships calling at Singapore port waters, with two additional cases among shore-based personnel who became infected after sharing meals onboard.
The Maritime and Port Authority mandates safety measures for personnel boarding vessels, including mandatory mask-wearing, use of PPE like gloves and goggles, minimizing time onboard, and maintaining at least two meters of distance.
Since September 2020, Rostered Routine Testing has been implemented for shore-based personnel, with about 1,200 tested every 14 days and all testing negative to date.

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5 Oct 2020

Protection Against Second-hand Smoke in our Homes

Louis Ng highlighted the severe health risks of second-hand smoke, citing WHO data and personal anecdotes, and proposed banning smoking near HDB windows and balconies to protect non-smokers, especially vulnerable groups.
The government acknowledged the public health concern but rejected the ban due to enforcement challenges, privacy intrusions, and the preference for a three-pronged approach focusing on social responsibility, neighborly mediation, and improving dispute resolution.
Ng argued the issue is a public health crisis, not just a neighborly dispute, and suggested using existing surveillance technology for enforcement, while the government maintained that current methods are insufficient and privacy concerns remain significant.

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5 Oct 2020

Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill

Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that raising public hygiene standards under the bill would create new jobs and upskill existing workers, such as through training for premises managers and sanitation staff.
She emphasized that improving Singapore's cleanliness requires collective effort from all citizens, including simple actions like binning litter, returning trays, and practicing good toilet etiquette.
The bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, considered, reported without amendment, and passed without changes.

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5 Oct 2020

Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment introduced the Bill to strengthen public hygiene through mandatory environmental sanitation standards for high-risk premises, including preschools, eldercare facilities, and hawker centres, with premises managers held accountable for compliance.
Members of Parliament broadly supported the Bill but raised concerns about implementation, suggesting a cleanliness grading system for public toilets, incentives for compliance, and phased approaches to ease costs on small businesses, while also emphasizing the need for public education to foster shared responsibility.
The Minister responded by outlining a pragmatic rollout from mid-2021, starting with higher-risk sectors, and highlighted support measures such as training subsidies for Environmental Control Coordinators and Officers, infrastructure grants, and behavioral nudges to encourage civic-mindedness.

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5 Oct 2020

Measures to Ease Singapore into Further Reopening after COVID-19 Circuit Breaker

Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined a calibrated approach to reopening, emphasizing that while Singapore has progressed to Phase Two, the path to Phase Three depends on maintaining low community cases through safe management measures, extensive testing, and contact tracing, with a roadmap to be shared in the coming weeks.
The government has allowed more employees to return to workplaces with a 50% cap on occupancy and a requirement to work from home at least half the time, while also permitting larger events for weddings, religious activities, and pilot performances, though group sizes for dining remain at five persons due to higher transmission risks.
Minister Gan affirmed that work-from-home will remain the default arrangement even after the pandemic, with flexibility for employers and employees, and noted that the DORSCON level will stay at Orange until global cases subside, as Singapore’s risk assessment considers international developments.

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5 Oct 2020

Timeline for Universities and Schools to Return to Normalised Face-to-face Classes

Ms Foo Mee Har queried the Ministry of Education about allowing universities and schools to return to more normalised face-to-face classes when TraceTogether tokens are widely used with safe distancing.
The Minister for Education, Mr Lawrence Wong, noted that schools have resumed daily lessons and Institutes of Higher Learning have increased on-campus activities with safe management measures.
The Ministry is studying ways to safely resume more in-person activities, including a wider range of co-curricular activities, to provide a holistic educational experience while managing risks.

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4 Sep 2020

Efforts and Upcoming Plans to Engage Youths on Views, Concerns and Aspirations for a post-COVID-19 World

The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the National Youth Council have engaged youths through digital platforms to address their concerns about job prospects, finances, and mental well-being during the pandemic.
Youth sector organizations have partnered to create digital content, such as videos and articles on Youth.sg, and collaborated with CR8 Studio SG to produce engaging content during the Circuit Breaker.
Initiatives like the Youth Action Challenge, Young ChangeMakers, and Youth Corps Singapore provide platforms for youths to propose solutions, receive funding, and volunteer for community causes related to COVID-19.
The government continues to build on past efforts like Youth Conversations and the SG Youth Action Plan, with ongoing conversations to involve youths in shaping a post-COVID Singapore.
Youths have shown interest in broader societal issues, including supporting vulnerable groups and promoting inclusivity and sustainability, through organized initiatives during the pandemic.

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4 Sep 2020

Expanding Green Lane for Business Travel to China without Sponsors

Christopher de Souza asked whether the government could expand the Green Lane to let small businesses travel to China without needing a sponsor.
Chan Chun Sing explained that the Singapore-China Fast Lane already exists for essential business travel, but it requires sponsors and controlled itineraries to limit community exposure.
The government has shared business concerns about these requirements with Chinese authorities and is working to improve the Fast Lane for both countries' business communities.

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4 Sep 2020

Total Number of Imported COVID-19 Cases Who are Non-Singaporeans and Top Three Countries of Embarkation of These Cases

Between April and August 2020, there were 292 imported COVID-19 cases who were non-Singaporeans.
These included 56 Permanent Residents, 110 Work Pass holders, 99 Long-Term Visit Pass holders, and 27 Short-Term Visit Pass holders.
The top three countries of embarkation were India with 183 cases, the Philippines with 46 cases, and Indonesia with 15 cases.

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4 Sep 2020

Plans to Join COVID-19 Vaccine Trials and Developing a Framework for Administering COVID-19 Vaccine when Adopted

The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring global COVID-19 vaccine development and collaborating with Arcturus Therapeutics and Duke-NUS Medical School on a vaccine currently in Phase 1 trials in Singapore, while also participating in WHO-led Solidarity Vaccine Trials.
Singapore is actively procuring vaccines through confidential negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and engaging with international bodies like WHO, CEPI, Gavi, and COVAX to ensure equitable access.
MOH is developing a framework for vaccine administration that considers safety, approvals, vaccine characteristics, population groups, supply, and prioritizes vulnerable and high-risk individuals, with plans to adapt based on future clinical data.

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4 Sep 2020

Number of Visitors and Their Family Members Allowed into Singapore for Medical Treatment since 27 March 2020

Since 27 March 2020, 303 foreign patients and 260 accompanying caregivers were approved to enter Singapore for medical treatment, with 183 patients and 147 caregivers having entered.
Approved visitors include existing patients needing follow-up care, such as those on chemotherapy or with renal diseases, and each patient may bring one caregiver, subject to COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules.
The majority of foreign patients are from Indonesia, followed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

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