Health

• Nominated Member Anthea Ong highlighted the severity of suicide in Singapore, sharing personal stories and data showing rising rates among teens and the elderly, and criticized the lack of a national suicide prevention strategy.
• Ong called for a multi-pronged, government-led approach including a national strategy, increased funding for services like SOS, better data tracking of attempts, public education, and clear protocols in schools.
• Senior Minister of State Amy Khor affirmed the government’s commitment to mental well-being, outlining existing efforts like resilience programs, anti-stigma campaigns, and inter-agency coordination, while noting Singapore’s suicide rate is lower than many countries.
• Both speakers emphasized that suicide is preventable and urged a whole-of-society effort, with Ong specifically advocating for a “Zero-Suicide Singapore” vision to prioritize saving every life.

• The Ministers provided an update on Singapore's COVID-19 situation, noting a second wave of imported cases has led to a rapid rise in local infections, with 558 confirmed cases and two deaths, and outlined a three-pronged strategy to reduce imports, detect and isolate cases early, and promote social responsibility.
• New restrictive measures were announced, including banning short-term visitors, requiring returning residents to serve 14-day Stay-Home Notices, and implementing stricter safe distancing rules such as limiting gatherings to 10 people and suspending entertainment venues, schools, and religious services for at least a month.
• The government emphasized the need to preserve healthcare capacity by diverting mild cases to community facilities, expanding contact tracing, and leveraging technology like the TraceTogether app, while urging public cooperation to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.
• Officials addressed constitutional and operational questions regarding the General Election, stating that any delay beyond the constitutional deadline would be unlawful, and outlined plans to ensure voting safety if elections are held during the pandemic.
• Enforcement actions were detailed for breaches of Stay-Home Notices, including fines, jail terms, and revocation of passes for foreigners, with a call for public vigilance against misinformation and irresponsible behavior that endangers public health.

• The National Arts Council decided to cancel SIFA 2020 to prioritize safety amid COVID-19, planning instead for a 2021 festival and supporting local arts groups with digital initiatives like webcasts and behind-the-scenes content.
• The government highlighted financial support for the arts community through the Stabilisation and Support Package and Capability Development Scheme for the Arts, encouraging digital presentations to engage audiences during the pandemic.
• Suggestions for a #SGUnited Digital Arts Festival, increased local artist engagement in future SIFAs, and encouraging ticket refunds as donations via platforms like Giving.sg were acknowledged for further consideration.

• Parliament has implemented strict safe distancing measures for all sittings, including spaced seating across two floors and separate refreshment groups, to protect the well-being of members, staff, and visitors while continuing legislative functions.
• Additional precautions such as temperature screening, travel history declarations, and contact tracing for all entering Parliament House have been in place since February, with staff divided into teams working separately to maintain business continuity.
• The measures align with national guidelines from the Multi-Ministry Task Force, and Parliament will continuously monitor the situation to implement further precautions as needed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

• The Ministry of Health has implemented measures such as scholarships and competitive salary reviews to attract and retain psychologists, resulting in an average annual growth of 7% in the public healthcare sector from 2017 to 2019.
• Public healthcare institutions provide holistic care that includes both medication and psychotherapy, with treatment plans tailored after assessing each patient’s psychiatric and psycho-social needs.
• The number of patients receiving support from psychologists at inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, and polyclinics was approximately 20,200 in 2016, 21,600 in 2017, and 22,300 in 2018.
• Community intervention teams support GPs and service providers with allied health services like psycho-therapeutic interventions, counselling, and psycho-education.
• MOH will continue collaborating with public hospitals and community service providers to ensure timely and holistic mental healthcare support.

• The Leader of the House highlighted Singapore's unified response to COVID-19, emphasizing government support measures, community solidarity, and long-term plans for a resilient, innovative, and inclusive nation through partnerships.
• The Speaker reflected on the debate's diverse topics, from food sustainability to animal conservation, stressing the importance of turning parliamentary discussions into concrete actions and learning from crises like COVID-19 to prepare for the future.
• Both speakers underscored the need for collective responsibility, intergenerational thinking, and societal cohesion to navigate current challenges and build a stronger Singapore together.

• Anthea Ong questioned why MediShield Life excludes treatment for self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide and asked if the Ministry would consider removing this exclusion.
• Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong stated the exclusion is a general rule to discourage such behavior but exceptions may be considered if injuries arise from mental illnesses.
• Anthea Ong noted that about 300 claims in this category were excluded annually from 2016 to 2018 and requested a review for inclusion.
• Edwin Tong reiterated the exclusion policy to prevent encouragement of self-harm, but affirmed that exceptions could be made for injuries linked to pre-existing mental conditions.

• The Ministry of Health defended the one-year deferral for ex-offenders donating blood, citing WHO guidelines to manage the window period for detecting blood-borne infections and ensure patient safety, noting similar practices in Australia, Canada, and the U.S.
• Louis Ng questioned the policy, arguing that Singapore's prisons do not pose the same high infection risks as those in other countries, and raised concerns about stigma and the lack of proactive health measures like vaccinations for inmates.
• The Senior Minister of State acknowledged Singapore's lower infection rates but emphasized higher risk profiles among ex-offenders (e.g., 1.1% HIV prevalence vs. 0.2% in the general population) and the need for caution due to possible pre-incarceration infections.
• Anthea Ong raised concerns about stigma affecting both ex-offenders and individuals with mental health conditions turned away from blood donations, prompting clarification that some mental health patients can donate if certified as capable of decision-making.
• The Ministry highlighted that the deferral policy does not prevent donations after one year and focuses on safety, while also noting ongoing efforts to address inmate health post-release.

• The Ministry of Health successfully achieved the Healthcare 2020 Masterplan's goals in infrastructure, manpower, and affordability, and will now focus on a "whole-of-society" approach for future health challenges, including an ageing population and chronic diseases like diabetes.
• In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has implemented robust containment measures, protected healthcare workers, and is preparing for potential scenarios, while also urging public cooperation through hygiene and social responsibility.
• To sustain healthcare financing, enhancements to MediSave and subsidies were announced, including new funding for adult and childhood vaccinations and smoking cessation, alongside new regulations for sugar-sweetened beverages to promote preventive health.

• Mr Dennis Tan asked how many Chinese workers returning to Singapore are in dormitories and what arrangements ensure effective segregation of those under Stay-Home Notices (SHNs) from others.
• Mrs Josephine Teo explained that most Chinese work pass holders have not yet returned due to strict approval processes, with only around 220 approved daily.
• All returning workers must serve SHNs, and those flouting rules face work pass revocation and permanent bans, while non-compliant employers lose privileges.
• About 25% of those yet to return stay in HDB units, and 75% in other accommodation like dormitories; SHN residents are placed in separate sections without needing to leave rooms except for medical needs.
• Dormitory operators have been advised to stagger common facility use, cease mass activities, and isolate residents with flu-like symptoms to minimise contact.

• Senior Minister of State Chee Hong Tat highlighted that the COVID-19 outbreak has affected Singapore’s tourism, transport, retail, and F&B sectors, but economic diversification across sectors, export markets, and supply sources has bolstered resilience.
• The government maintains domestic manufacturing for critical items like masks and noodles, stockpiles essentials such as rice and medical supplies, and encourages companies to diversify supply chains to mitigate disruptions.
• Ministers emphasized the importance of avoiding panic buying, practicing proper hygiene, and prioritizing mask usage for frontline workers to manage supply demands during the crisis.
• A Member raised concerns about prolonged global shortages and the challenges of diversifying away from single-source countries like China, to which the response stressed the necessity of diversified supply chains despite global interdependencies.
• Another Member suggested reviewing Singapore’s 30-30 food security plan to accelerate local production, but the government reaffirmed that while local production is important, diversifying import sources remains key to resilience.

• Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Health about the number of students admitted to the Institute of Mental Health or other public hospitals for mental health conditions and attempted suicides in each of the last three years.
• Over the past three years, approximately 569, 640, and 607 children aged 7 to 18 were admitted to public hospitals for mental health conditions in 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively.
• Hospitals do not track admissions due to attempted suicide, but the Ministry of Home Affairs reported an average of 1,204 attempted suicide cases annually from 2017 to 2019.
• The Ministry of Health emphasizes a whole-of-society approach and collaboration with health and social agencies to provide timely and holistic mental healthcare for youths.

• Ms Anthea Ong queried the Minister for Home Affairs on the number of emergency and 999 calls received by SCDF and Police related to suicides and mental health conditions over the last three years, including details on false alarms, officer hours spent, training, support timeliness, and the feasibility of specialised mental health ambulances.
• Minister K Shanmugam stated that from 2017 to 2019, Police received an average of 1,204 attempted suicide reports annually but do not track false alarms, hours spent, or cases where persons died before help arrived.
• The Minister explained that specialised mental health ambulances are not feasible due to the need for immediate island-wide response, and instead, normal ambulances are dispatched quickly with additional resources like DART and CNU for complex cases.
• All Police officers receive training in managing mentally distressed individuals and undergo regular refreshers, with specialised teams available for negotiation and rescue operations.

• The Ministry reported 110 active dengue clusters and 2,894 cases since the start of 2020, with a concerning rise in DENV-3 cases that could lead to an outbreak due to low population immunity.
• Efforts to reduce clusters include stepped-up inspections by NEA, town councils, and grassroots partners, with nearly 70% of clusters closed this year through community cooperation.
• Public awareness is being heightened via the myENV app, flyers, cluster alert banners, and bringing forward the National Dengue Prevention Campaign to March for nationwide outreach.
• Targeted measures for vulnerable groups include vernacular-language videos for elderly at community corners and dengue prevention materials for preschools and schools.
• Residents are urged to regularly spray insecticide indoors and eliminate breeding habitats, as 60% of breeding sites are found in homes, emphasizing collective responsibility.

• Minister Vivian Balakrishnan reported over 1,900 Singaporeans remain e-registered in mainland China, with the actual number likely higher, and urged all overseas Singaporeans to e-register with MFA for better support and communication during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• One Singaporean was infected and hospitalized in Hubei but has since been discharged, while 266 Singaporeans were repatriated from Hubei, with seven testing positive for COVID-19 but all having recovered.
• The Minister explained that Singaporeans still in China have varied personal reasons for staying, such as work, family obligations, or travel concerns, and MFA continues to maintain contact and offer assistance, especially through consular missions.

• Pritam Singh and Sitoh Yih Pin debated fiscal prudence and transparency, with Singh questioning the lack of details on reserves and the GST hike rationale, while Sitoh praised the budget's ability to avoid drawing on reserves during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Teo Ser Luck shared his entrepreneurial experience, cautioning against over-reliance on government grants and emphasizing the need for businesses to innovate and adapt, while highlighting opportunities amid the pandemic.
• Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat responded by defending the Unity Budget, explaining the necessity of the GST increase for healthcare funding, and outlining support measures for COVID-19, while calling for unity and collective responsibility for future generations.

• The debate centered on supporting Singaporeans and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, with members praising the Unity Budget's timely, expansive measures like the Stabilisation and Support Package and Care and Support Package to protect jobs and livelihoods.
• Several speakers highlighted the need for enhanced support for vulnerable groups, including caregivers, persons with disabilities, and low-income families, with suggestions for more robust data, flexible work arrangements, and inclusive community initiatives.
• Fiscal sustainability and long-term planning were emphasized, with calls for careful management of reserves and consideration of new revenue sources like wealth taxes, while also addressing climate change through investments like the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund.

• The Ministry of Education has already integrated personal hygiene education into school curricula through Physical Education and Form Teacher Guidance Periods, starting from Primary 1, covering practices like hand washing and mosquito control.
• In response to COVID-19, schools have enhanced these lessons with a package linked to Total Defence Day, teaching personal hygiene, group hygiene through wipe-down routines, and social responsibility.
• An online Science learning package on COVID-19 was developed to help students understand the virus and transmission, reinforcing the rationale for hygiene practices and national resilience.

Anthea Ong criticized the budget for neglecting mental health despite rising prevalence and called for parity in healthcare limits, improved access, and quality of care. She urged a paradigm shift toward prevention and total well-being, advocating for mental health to be a national priority. Miss Cheng Li Hui supported the budget, praising its generosity and resilience amid challenges like COVID-19, and highlighted community solidarity in Tampines. She also suggested better communication of budget schemes to reach targeted groups like seniors and small enterprises.

• Each year, around 19,000 diabetes cases are diagnosed in Singapore, with numbers expected to rise due to better screening and awareness.
• The government plans to introduce mandatory nutrition labels and advertising bans for sugar-sweetened beverages, with details to be shared in the upcoming Committee of Supply debate.
• Authorities are considering extending labelling and advertising measures to freshly prepared drinks like bubble tea and local coffees, and are consulting stakeholders on this.
• Measures are in place for government schools, while extending them to Institutes of Higher Learning is under consideration and requires further inquiry.
• The Ministry is studying the possibility of introducing a sugar tax on carbonated beverages, to be discussed at the Committee of Supply debate.