Health

Hamid Razak asked about the evaluation of patient care outcomes in the community mental health model, specifically regarding functional recovery, service utilization, and hospital care escalation. He also inquired how these outcomes inform the refinement of Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and Community Intervention Team (COMIT) services. Ong Ye Kung responded that the question will be addressed in a future parliamentary sitting along with other related questions.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the median response times for police investigations and internal reports of abuse and harassment in healthcare, as well as the outcomes of internally reported cases. Ong Ye Kung responded that healthcare workers are encouraged to report incidents promptly, and immediate measures are taken by public healthcare institutions to de-escalate situations and warn offenders. Follow-up actions may include written warnings, access restrictions, or police involvement for serious cases, with investigation duration varying based on case complexity.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the reporting of abuse and harassment cases under the Tripartite Framework for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment in Healthcare, specifically seeking statistics on incidents reported to the Police versus internal reporting forms, along with trends since implementation. Ong Ye Kung reported an increase in awareness leading to 3,000 and 4,200 reported incidents in 2024 and 2025, respectively, with approximately 7% classified as high severity and about 15% of all cases reported to the Police.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the Ministry of Health about monitoring the consolidation of independent clinics into corporate chains and its effect on personalized care accessibility. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry does not monitor this consolidation but regulates clinical standards and ethical practices. He also assured that support will be provided to healthcare providers, including small practices, to comply with the Health Information Act, offering funding for IT systems and training.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the number of cancer drug claims requiring extra documentation for both Cancer Drug List (CDL) and non-CDL drugs over the past two years, along with the average processing time and any plans for streamlining documentation. Ong Ye Kung responded that while some cancer claims require additional documentation, particularly for non-CDL drugs, the Ministry of Health does not track the quantity or processing duration of these claims. The additional information is requested on a case-by-case basis to ensure accurate assessment of claims.

Choo Pei Ling raised concerns about workforce sustainability in Singapore's healthcare sector amid rising demand and competition. Dr. Koh Poh Koon emphasized a multi-faceted strategy to build a local healthcare workforce, enhance training pathways, and improve job appeal while integrating foreign workers to address shortages. To reduce workload stress, the ministry is shifting towards team-based care and redefining roles for better distribution of responsibilities among healthcare professionals. Retention of mid-career and senior staff is prioritized through competitive salaries, career progression, and support systems, while aligning workforce planning with healthcare transformation efforts. Cai Yinzhou questioned the professionalization of foreign domestic workers in palliative and geriatric care, but Dr. Koh clarified there are no plans to formally transition them into healthcare roles.

Vikram Nair raised concerns about the rising cancer detection rates in Singapore and asked about plans to increase cancer screening availability for common cancers like lung, liver, and prostate cancer. The Minister of State for Health, Rahayu Mahzam, stated that cancer screening uptake is influenced by health habits and emphasized the importance of regular screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers under the Healthier SG program. She noted that lung and liver cancer screenings are only recommended for high-risk individuals due to their lower prevalence and the possibility of false positives. Rahayu acknowledged the need for further assessment regarding screening subsidies for high-risk individuals and multi-cancer screening tests, highlighting the importance of individual recommendations from doctors based on patient needs.

David Hoe asked whether there has been an increase in citizens experiencing financial stress-related mental health issues when seeking social assistance over the past three years and what interventions are being developed. Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that clients with mental health concerns are referred to community mental health teams for support. It was noted that the ComCare assessment does not require applicants to disclose mental health information to avoid deterring those in need from applying for assistance.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about user response to the updates of HealthHub's terms of use in late 2025, specifically regarding those who did not accept the terms or stopped using the platform. Ong Ye Kung responded that there has been no decline in monthly unique users of HealthHub since the updates, which were made to comply with data protection requirements and improve caregiver access. For those not using HealthHub, information can still be accessed by contacting public healthcare institutions directly through service counters and contact centers.

Rachel Ong asked if the Ministry of Health would allow neighborhood GPs under HealthierSG to perform routine blood tests and simple procedures to reduce unnecessary hospital visits for seniors. Ong Ye Kung responded that GPs already conduct routine blood tests and collaborate with healthcare clusters to enhance patient care. Patients can be referred from public hospitals to participating GPs or polyclinics for follow-up care closer to home.

David Hoe inquired about the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) assessment of "smart" public outdoor fitness corners designed to enhance physical activity, especially among seniors and lower-income residents, and the possibility of piloting such facilities in heartland areas like Clementi. Ong Ye Kung responded that HPB has not conducted assessments of these smart fitness corners. He highlighted that Singapore has over 3,400 outdoor fitness corners and 28 ActiveSG gyms offering accessible exercise options, along with online resources and a mobile app to support residents in using these facilities effectively.

Charlene Chen raised concerns about the training and qualifications of counsellors due to the increasing demand for counselling services and their impact on well-being. Ong Ye Kung explained that counsellors operate in various sectors, with competencies defined by relevant frameworks developed in collaboration with government ministries and educational institutions. Professional standards are maintained through institutional oversight in healthcare, hiring criteria in social services, and voluntary accreditation by the Singapore Association of Counselling. The Ministry of Health employs a risk-based regulatory approach to monitor the evolving risks in healthcare and mental health services, assessing the need for additional safeguards.

Yip Hon Weng inquired about the Ministry of Health's review of TB screening requirements for long-term pass holders and frequent travelers in light of rising regional TB cases. Ong Ye Kung noted that TB is endemic in the region, making screening for short-term visitors impractical due to potential deterrence. For long-term pass applicants, a risk-based approach is used, requiring screening for active TB disease except for selected Employment Pass applicants, who submit a medical declaration instead. All TB cases are notifiable and subject to treatment, with special focus on protecting young children through vaccination. The Communicable Diseases Agency will continue to evaluate screening measures in line with epidemiological trends.

Dr. Wan Rizal questioned the Minister for Health regarding new requirements for Integrated Shield Plan (IP) riders, specifically about measures being studied to maintain healthcare affordability. Ong Ye Kung explained that the new requirements aim to moderate private healthcare cost escalation and that other measures include developing claim rules, enforcing claims management, and publishing benchmarks for healthcare charges. He emphasized that most Singaporeans use public subsidized healthcare and that enhancing subsidies and MediShield Life coverage is crucial for maintaining affordability, while highlighting the need for sustainable healthcare financing policies impacting taxes and out-of-pocket expenses.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions regarding the Health Sciences Authority's (HSA) receipt of submissions for Moderna's mRNA influenza vaccine and the independence of Singapore's safety and efficacy validation process from US and European standards. The Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, confirmed that HSA has not received any submission for the vaccine. He emphasized that HSA conducts independent reviews based on comprehensive scientific data assessed by expert panels, ensuring decisions are aligned with the best interests of Singaporeans. Dr. Koh added that their methodology includes evaluating clinical trial data, post-launch follow-up for safety, compliance with manufacturing standards, and stability data to ensure vaccine quality.

Dr. Koh Poh Koon, the Senior Minister of State for Health, addressed a question regarding support for studies measuring outcomes related to mental health interventions. He noted that the resources for these initiatives were initiated recently and emphasized the importance of collecting data over time to analyze the impact of these interventions. A correction was later issued clarifying that the resources were started in recent years, not just about a year ago, maintaining the focus on enhancing insights for better support strategies.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the rationale for treating secondhand smoke, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, as a neighbourly dispute rather than a public health issue and asked if penalties would be introduced for smokers affecting neighbouring units. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the Ministry takes secondhand smoke seriously, having prohibited it in over 49,000 public places, including common areas of residential buildings. She noted that regulating smoking in private residential spaces requires careful consideration, and a community-based approach is being adopted to promote social responsibility among smokers. The Ministry will continue to monitor best practices and review policies based on public feedback.

He Ting Ru asked about the percentage of children under 18 diagnosed with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as those prescribed medications for these conditions over the past five years. Ong Ye Kung provided data from public hospitals for the years 2021 to 2025, noting that the numbers include both new and existing cases, but the Ministry of Health does not track private sector data. Approximately half of the diagnosed children in public hospitals receive medication for their conditions.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if the Ministry of Health plans to allow private healthcare providers to procure drugs not on the Healthier SG Medication List from the Agency of Logistics and Procurement Services. Ong Ye Kung responded that there are no plans for this as it could impact the pricing and availability of drugs in Singapore. He highlighted that centralizing procurement for private providers may lead to less favorable outcomes for subsidized patients and deter pharmaceutical companies from entering the market.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the cost-effectiveness of subsidizing blood-based p-tau217 tests for predicting Alzheimer's disease risk, the estimated eligible population in Singapore, and consideration for inclusion in the national dementia strategy. Ong Ye Kung responded that p-tau217 is still under research in local trials and is not intended as a standalone diagnostic test according to the FDA. The Ministry of Health will keep monitoring developments related to this biomarker.