Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

5 Jun 2020

Proceedings on Supply Business and Rearrangement of Business

The Leader of the House proposed a motion to prioritize the debate on the Deputy Prime Minister's ministerial statement about COVID-19 plans before voting on the supplementary estimates and supply bill.
The Deputy Speaker sought and obtained the general assent of Members, and the motion was agreed to, allowing the debate to proceed ahead of other scheduled business.
The Clerk was instructed to read the orders of the day, following the resolution to rearrange the parliamentary proceedings.

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5 Jun 2020

COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment) Bill

The Senior Minister of State for Law introduced the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Amendment) Bill, citing a Certificate of Urgency from the President.
The Bill aims to amend the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act 2020 and was distributed to Members after its first reading.
The Deputy Speaker confirmed the Certificate's order and scheduled the second reading for the same day after another Bill's proceedings.

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5 Jun 2020

Visitation Rights for Residents in Nursing Homes After 1 June

The Senior Minister of State explained that face-to-face visits to nursing homes remain suspended post–1 June due to seniors' vulnerability, with phone and video calls facilitated, and only exceptional cases like critical illness allowed for in-person visits.
On-site activities at Senior Activity Centres will resume gradually in Phase One with restrictions, while daycare centres and senior activity centres fall under specific phases for resumption.
Surveillance testing for the eldercare sector includes swab tests prioritized for residential care staff in May, with progressive testing for daycare centre staff in June.

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5 Jun 2020

COVID-19 Swab Tests for VWO Staff Looking after Elderly

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry would consider a one-time COVID-19 swab test for VWO staff caring for the elderly, and whether it could be phased to avoid overstretching medical resources.
The Senior Minister of State for Health confirmed that surveillance testing for eldercare staff is being conducted in phases, prioritizing residential care homes, with initial results showing only one positive case.
Pereira further inquired about training resources for VWO staff to maintain hygiene and safety as senior activity centres reopen, and the Ministry noted that AIC provides webinars and resource kits, with centres required to pass readiness assessments.

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5 Jun 2020

Industries that Businesses and Workforce should Pivot to Post-COVID-19

The post-COVID-19 environment will reshape global supply chains, accelerate digitalisation, and shift travel and consumption patterns, requiring businesses and workers to adapt.
Key growth areas include healthcare, online retail, and financial services, driven by changed consumer preferences and Asia's rising middle class.
Manufacturing and logistics should pivot to new global supply chains, leveraging Singapore's strengths in trust, quality, and connectivity, especially in biomedical and precision engineering.
The digital economy will become more salient, with technology adoption transforming traditional industries and creating opportunities for expanded markets and tele-services.
Singapore must reinvent itself by staying open to global trade and talent, strengthening its hub status, and supporting businesses and workers through transformation and skills training.

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5 Jun 2020

Procurement Arrangements for Construction of Government Quarantine Facilities, Community Recovery Facilities and Community Care Facilities

The Government used emergency procurement to quickly construct quarantine and care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, waiving tenders due to time constraints and focusing on speed to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system.
Accountability measures were applied, including comparisons with market benchmarks and scrutiny of invoices, with some private companies supporting projects on a cost-recovery basis.
Going forward, if conditions stabilize, agencies will consider more open tender processes and broader vendor participation to ensure value for money and support enterprises.
Even under current emergency procurement, agencies already engage multiple vendors and compare quotes where feasible to maintain competition and quality.

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5 Jun 2020

Government's Procurement of Goods and Services during COVID-19 Pandemic

The Government's default procurement framework uses the GeBIZ platform for open sourcing, but allows limited tenders or direct contracting for urgent needs like public health protection during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the pandemic's urgency, some contracts were issued directly outside GeBIZ to quickly secure essential supplies, with agencies required to evaluate quotes against market benchmarks, and all procurements remain subject to audit and compliance reviews.
The proportion of COVID-19 procurement by dollar value through GeBIZ versus other methods is not yet available as procurement is ongoing, but the Government intends to increase GeBIZ usage as time constraints ease.
The Government will publish summary information on COVID-19 procurement in due course to support market transparency, though the timeline is uncertain due to the evolving nature of the pandemic.
International practices, such as those in Australia, the EU, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, also permit direct contracting in emergencies, aligning with WTO standards and ensuring competitive prices and quality through evaluation processes.

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5 Jun 2020

Profile of People who Downloaded TraceTogether App

The TraceTogether app has been voluntarily downloaded by 1.5 million users, but the government does not currently have data on the gender or age breakdown of these users.
The app is not mandatory due to technical limitations on iOS devices, and the government is developing a portable wearable device to ensure inclusivity for all, including those without smartphones.
The app enhances contact tracing by storing encrypted data locally and only sharing it with health authorities if a user tests positive for COVID-19, with strict privacy safeguards in place.
The government is encouraging more downloads, including upgrades to link NRIC/FIN numbers for faster contact tracing, and is open to considering further incentives to increase adoption.

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4 Jun 2020

Data on Work Permit Holders not Employed as Foreign Domestic Workers and not Eligible for Work Injury Compensation for Death and Permanent Disability in Past Five Years

Mr. Louis Ng asked for data on work permit holders (excluding foreign domestic workers) who died or suffered permanent disability from injuries or diseases ineligible for Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) compensation over the past five years, and whether the Ministry would start collecting this data if not already doing so.
Mrs. Josephine Teo stated that around 0.3% of foreign work pass holders file WICA claims annually, with approximately 70 fatal injury and 2,800 permanent disability claims successfully resolved, constituting the vast majority of claims.
She noted that inadmissible claims were mostly due to non-work-related injuries, with about 1% of fatal claims and 5% of permanent disability claims deemed inadmissible on average.
Employers are required to maintain medical insurance for all foreign workers and cover all medical expenses in Singapore, and the Migrant Workers' Centre provides additional emergency assistance as needed.

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4 Jun 2020

Plans to Reopen Economy in Stages after Circuit Breaker Ends

Singapore will exit the Circuit Breaker on 2 June 2020 and begin a phased reopening of the economy, prioritising sectors like manufacturing and office-based businesses that have lower transmission risks and are key to global supply chains.
Businesses reopening must comply with safe management measures, including enforcing safe distancing, mask-wearing, staggering hours, and allowing maximum work-from-home, with government checks and enforcement to ensure compliance.
If community transmission remains low and stable, subsequent phases will allow more consumer services and fewer restrictions, such as dining-in, though work-from-home will still be encouraged where possible.

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4 Jun 2020

Number of COVID-19 Tests Conducted and Expected Rate of Testing for Community Population

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Health for the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted for the community population, the per million figure, and the expected future testing rate.
As of 1 June 2020, over 202,000 tests were conducted for the community population, which is more than 37,500 tests per million people.
The government is ramping up testing capacity to reach up to 40,000 tests per day later in the year to expand community testing.

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4 Jun 2020

Collaboration with Global Scientific Community to Create a COVID-19 Vaccine

Singapore collaborates globally on vaccine development, with Duke-NUS Medical School partnering Arcturus Therapeutics for pre-clinical studies and animal trials.
Local researchers engage in international clinical trials, including partnerships with CEPI and participation in WHO's Solidarity Vaccine Trials.
Singapore is also involved in therapeutic research, with NCID and public hospitals joining multinational trials for drugs like Remdesivir.

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4 Jun 2020

Dedicated Line and Help Provided for Home Team Officers Facing Mental and Physical Stress when Conducting Spot Checks on Persons under Stay-Home Notice

Ms Joan Pereira asked about a dedicated line for Home Team officers experiencing mental and physical stress during spot checks on Stay-Home Notice persons and what support is available for their well-being.
K Shanmugam confirmed that counselling helplines manned by Home Team psychologists are available to all officers, including those in COVID-19 operations, with increased manning during the pandemic.
Additional measures include in-house psychologists and para-counsellors monitoring distressed officers, frequent engagement by supervisors, self-care materials, and distribution of care packs with personal items.
Physical protection measures for officers are also implemented, as detailed in another parliamentary reply.

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4 Jun 2020

Update on COVID-19 Cases among Prison Inmates and Staff and Anti-COVID Measures Planned

As of 3 June 2020, three inmates and one staff nurse from the Singapore Prison Service had tested positive for COVID-19, with all cases unlinked and isolated without further spread.
Newly admitted inmates at Changi Prison Complex undergo a 14-day segregation with swab tests upon admission and before joining the general population.
The Singapore Prison Service will not immediately resume family visits or inmate programmes after the circuit breaker, but will de-escalate measures slowly in phases based on community conditions.
Precautionary measures, including early detection, infection control, and safe distancing, have been retained since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
Following the cases in late April and early May, no new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the prisons.

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4 Jun 2020

Incidence of Blood Clots and Heart Diseases in COVID-19 Patients in Singapore

Leon Perera asked whether COVID-19 patients in Singapore are experiencing higher rates of blood clots and heart diseases, based on global research.
The Ministry of Health issued advisories and is monitoring local data, which shows about one in 1,000 COVID-19 patients experienced cardiovascular events, but the numbers are too small to confirm if rates are above average.
Patients in ICUs are at higher risk due to immobility and comorbidities, and doctors take extra precautions like monitoring blood clotting and using anti-coagulants case by case.
Education on preventive measures, such as hydration, activity, and symptom recognition, is provided in dormitories and care facilities.
MOH continues to study emerging evidence and collaborate with experts to ensure optimal care for COVID-19 patients.

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4 Jun 2020

Complaints by Foreign Domestic Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

The Ministry of Manpower received an average of about eight complaints per 10,000 foreign domestic workers each month during the past three months, a figure comparable to the same period last year, with issues including food and workload.
MOM investigates all complaints seriously and will take appropriate action according to laws while providing assistance to affected parties.
FDWs can access 24-hour helplines and support from NGOs like the Centre for Domestic Employees and the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training.
These organizations offer mental health services, including counselling and online activities like resilience talks and exercise programs to support FDW well-being.
The government encourages employers and FDWs to communicate openly and exercise understanding, emphasizing FDWs' importance in households.

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4 Jun 2020

Help for Home Team Officers in Light of Additional Roles during COVID-19 Pandemic

Home Team officers are involved in the COVID-19 response, including border measures, contact tracing, and enforcing safe distancing, with support measures like split teams, safe distancing, and remote work where possible.
Personal protection equipment, alternative accommodation, and daily health checks are provided for officers in high-risk roles, while digital tools reduce physical contact.
Mental well-being is prioritized through regular engagement, self-care materials, care packs with essentials, and enhanced counselling services for distressed officers.

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4 Jun 2020

Assessment of Overseas Reports of Children with Multi-system Inflammatory Syndromes Linked to COVID-19 and Steps taken Locally

The Ministry of Health has noted overseas reports of a rare pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19, though no strong evidence of such a link has been found in Asian countries including Singapore.
As of 28 May, 61 children in Singapore under 16 tested positive for COVID-19, but all had mild or no symptoms and none required intensive care or showed signs of the inflammatory syndrome.
MOH considers the syndrome very rare and is closely monitoring the situation while issuing advisories to medical practitioners to refer potential cases to specialized hospitals.

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4 Jun 2020

Updated Budget Deficit Forecast for FY 2020/2021 after Budget and Supplementary Budget Announcements

The overall budget deficit for FY2020 is projected at $74.3 billion, which is 15.4% of GDP.
Up to $52 billion will be drawn from past reserves to fund COVID-19 response measures, including $31 billion from the Fortitude Budget and $21 billion from earlier packages.
An additional $22 billion in loan capital, expected to be repaid in the future, is part of the COVID-19 package, while the remainder is funded using current reserves and accumulated surplus from the current government term.
The government emphasized that past reserves enable Singapore to respond confidently to the crisis due to long-term fiscal prudence.

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4 Jun 2020

Safeguarding of Personal Data Collected by Contact-tracing Apps

Murali Pillai questioned the Prime Minister on how personal data from contact-tracing apps like TraceTogether will be safeguarded and restricted to COVID-19 containment purposes.
The government confirmed that close contact data is stored only on the user’s phone and accessed by MOH solely if the user tests positive, with encryption and automatic deletion after 25 days.
Only a small group of authorized MOH personnel can view personal data during contact tracing, and all public sector data protection rules apply to any transferred data.

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