Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

4 Nov 2019

Average Waiting Times for Appointments for Subsidised Mental Health Therapy and Counselling at Public Hospitals

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong queried the average waiting times and ranges for subsidised mental health therapy and counselling appointments at public hospitals.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that median waiting times for new subsidised psychiatrist appointments in public hospitals ranged from 24 to 27 days from 2017 to 2018, with urgent cases prioritised.
The government is enhancing primary and community-based mental health support under the Community Mental Health Masterplan to provide holistic care.
MOH is collaborating with public hospitals, schools, social service agencies, and family service centres to ensure timely mental healthcare support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Reach of HPB's Workplace Mental Health Solution Initiative

Since 2012, HPB's Workplace Mental Health Solution initiative has provided on-site training workshops and resources, with nearly 1,400 managers and HR personnel trained from 2017 to support workplace mental well-being.
Additional funding support includes co-funding for mental well-being activities for SMEs, partnerships with landlords and developers for on-site talks, and health coaching programmes for shift workers in sectors like retail and F&B, benefiting 9,500 workers in 2018.
HPB's Talk2Us helpline, a free and confidential service for workplace-related stress, assisted over 460 employees in 2018.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Number of CPF Account Holders who Have Exhausted Personal MediSave Funds over Last 10 Years

Gan Thiam Poh asked for the number of CPF account holders over the last 10 years who exhausted their MediSave funds and used family members' MediSave or MediFund for medical treatment.
Gan Kim Yong stated that the government provides MediSave top-ups for seniors and that Singaporeans can use family members' MediSave without exhausting their own, with about 2% of MediSave users having low balances but still using family support between 2016 and 2018.
The government does not track the number of patients who exhausted family members' MediSave or lacked family support and received MediFund assistance, as MediFund considers cases holistically without requiring full exhaustion of personal or family MediSave.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Patients Showing Resistance to Antibiotics in Recent Years

Joan Pereira questioned the Minister for Health about the number of patients showing antibiotic resistance over the past three years, their profiles, and the educational measures planned for 2019.
The Minister explained that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is worsened by excessive antibiotic use, with specific resistant infections like MRSA and CPE monitored in public hospitals, showing declining or stable rates.
Vulnerable groups such as the elderly with chronic diseases are more at risk, and many resistant infection patients had recently used antibiotics.
Measures include hospital-based stewardship programmes, a national action plan with pillars like education and surveillance, and public campaigns to correct misconceptions about antibiotic use.
The government emphasized a multi-pronged, long-term approach involving professionals and the public to tackle AMR.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Number of Frail Patients who Do Not Show Up for Follow-up Treatment at Specialist Clinics Despite Polyclinic Referrals

Miss Cheryl Chan inquired about the number of frail patients missing follow-up treatments after polyclinic referrals, reasons for non-attendance, ways to improve the situation, and long-term plans for geriatric care.
Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that 12% to 20% of patients aged 65 and older do not attend specialist outpatient clinic appointments despite reminders, citing reasons like improved health, alternative treatments, or inability to attend.
The Ministry of Health has implemented schemes such as medical escort and transport services, staff training to assist frail patients, and appointment consolidation, alongside community outreach through the Silver Generation Office and Community Network for Seniors.
MOH aims to enable seniors to age in place by enhancing community care options and collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure timely follow-up for frail patients.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Take-up Rate for Dementia Day Care Services

Desmond Choo asked about the number of Singaporeans using dementia day care, the capacity-to-demand ratio, and potential subsidies for transportation costs.
As of June 2019, dementia day care centres had a daily capacity of 3,400 clients, with about 3,100 Singaporeans utilising the services.
The Ministry of Health provides means-tested subsidies for transport to dementia day care centres for eligible clients.
The Ministry will continue to monitor demand and support seniors and caregivers in receiving necessary care.
The response indicates that transportation subsidies are already in place, addressing the query about additional subsidy plans.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Education and Outreach Measures on HIV Infections

The Ministry of Health is implementing a four-pronged ABCD strategy—abstinence, being faithful, condom use, and early detection—to curb HIV infections, with strong outcomes from treatment, as 98% of treated individuals achieve viral suppression.
Education and outreach efforts have increased early detection, with the proportion of late-stage HIV diagnoses dropping from 51% to 44% and voluntary testing cases rising from 14% to 19% between 2009–2013 and 2014–2018.
Access to anonymous testing has expanded through designated sites and mobile services, and the government is exploring new initiatives to further promote regular HIV testing among at-risk groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Elderly and Children Diagnosed with Illnesses and Health Conditions Due to Malnutrition in Recent Years

Dr. Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health about the number of vulnerable elderly and children diagnosed with illnesses due to malnutrition over the last five years and the support measures in place.
Minister Gan Kim Yong provided statistics showing malnutrition affects a small percentage of the population, with about 4.5% of disease burden in those under 20 and undernutrition prevalence ranging from 2.8% to 6.6% among seniors.
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board run nationwide efforts to promote healthy eating, including programs in schools, support for breastfeeding, and targeted initiatives for lower-income families.
Specific programs for children include the KidSTART Home Visitation Programme, while seniors receive support through community education, cooking demonstrations, and improved meal services in care facilities.
The government continues to explore ways to enhance nutrition support for all Singaporeans, including piloting tailored programs for vulnerable groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Qualifications of and Complaints against Chiropractors Practising in Singapore

There are approximately 150 chiropractors and 90 chiropractic establishments in Singapore, though chiropractic is not licensed under the Private Hospital and Medical Clinic Act and relies on self-regulation by professional associations.
Over the past five years, the Ministry of Health received an average of four annual complaints, primarily about misleading titles, advertising, claims, and issues with treatment packages and refunds.
Chiropractors typically complete four or more years of overseas study, while physiotherapists require a recognized four-year local or overseas degree, and TCM practitioners must have a five-year local diploma or recognized overseas degree to qualify for registration.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Public Education to Clear Misconceptions about Breast Cancer Screening

The Minister for Health acknowledged that women in Singapore hold misconceptions about breast cancer screening, such as the belief that it is unnecessary when feeling healthy or that mammograms are painful.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) collaborates with various cancer organisations to address these misconceptions through campaigns, forums, and community talks led by breast cancer survivors.
Despite these efforts, the Minister noted that changing entrenched misconceptions is challenging, and the Ministry welcomes suggestions to improve public education and early detection efforts.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Nov 2019

Healthcare Services Bill

The Healthcare Services Bill aims to regulate healthcare services and address connected matters, including repealing the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act.
Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong presented the bill, which received its first reading and is scheduled for a second reading in the next parliamentary sitting.
The bill proposes consequential amendments to other relevant Acts to align with the new regulatory framework for healthcare services.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Number of Youth Suicides by Gender for Past Two Years

Sitoh Yih Pin requested a breakdown of youth suicides by gender for the past two years, specifically for ages 10 to 19.
Desmond Lee noted that suicide numbers fluctuate annually and provided figures for 2017 and 2018.
The response emphasized the sensitivity of suicide data while addressing the inquiry.
The debate focused on obtaining clear statistics on youth suicides across genders.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Most Common Mosquito Breeding Grounds

The most common mosquito breeding grounds in homes are domestic containers like pails, dish trays, and flower pot plates, while in common areas they are closed perimeter drains, discarded receptacles, and gully traps.
From 2014 to 2018, the NEA conducted an average of 1.3 million inspections annually, uncovering over 17,000 breeding habitats each year.
When owners or tenants do not respond, the NEA uses legal notices and, if necessary, invokes the Control of Vectors and Pesticides Act to gain entry, with 214 homes inspected under this provision from 2014 to 2018.
The NEA emphasizes community cooperation, public communication, and the five-step Mozzie Wipeout to prevent dengue transmission.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Measures to Cope with Haze and Air Pollution

Singapore employs a multi-pronged approach combining diplomatic efforts with ASEAN countries, regional cooperation through the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre, and enforcement via the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to hold companies accountable for haze, though no prosecutions have occurred to date due to evidentiary challenges.
The government provides public health protection measures, including daily air quality advisories, distribution of N95 masks to vulnerable groups when the Pollutant Standards Index is very unhealthy, and equipping schools with air purifiers, while noting that cloud-seeding is not considered reliable for Singapore.
Singapore encourages sustainable practices through consumer and financial sector initiatives, such as green labelling schemes and responsible financing guidelines, to disincentivise slash-and-burn methods and reduce haze recurrence, alongside assessing the economic impact of haze episodes on health, education, and business.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Increase in Dental Treatment Charges in Last 10 Years and Efforts to Stem Rising Costs

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked the Ministry of Health about the increase in dental treatment charges over the past decade and efforts to control rising costs.
The Ministry highlighted that subsidised dental care is available at 10 polyclinics and about 700 CHAS dental clinics, with referrals to national dental centres for eligible groups.
MediSave can be used for complex dental procedures, and the inflation rate for dental services after subsidies was 2.1% annually from 2009 to 2018.
Average charges for subsidised dental treatments at polyclinics and CHAS clinics grew by about 1% per year from 2012 to 2018.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Update on Manpower Gap in Healthcare Sector and Current Shortfall of Nurses

The healthcare workforce grew by about 18,000 staff over the last four years, but it is not explicitly confirmed if the 30,000 manpower gap from 2015 to 2020 was fully filled.
There are currently about 42,000 registered nurses, up from 38,000 in 2014, but no specific figure is given for the current shortfall of nurses.
Approximately 3% of practising nurses across the healthcare sector work on a part-time basis on average between 2015 and 2018.
Efforts to optimise manpower include automation, streamlining work processes, and shifting care to the community.
The government is focusing on initiatives to raise productivity to address workforce gaps in healthcare.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Statistics on Return to Nursing Programme and Outreach Efforts

Over the past five years, nurses who left the public healthcare sector served an average of seven years, including those who moved to private or community care or left nursing entirely.
The Return to Nursing (RTN) scheme, enhanced to a Place-and-Train model, allows returning nurses to secure employment first, receive a salary during refresher courses, and share course costs between employers and the government.
Since the RTN programme launched in 2010, about 120 nurses have re-joined through the scheme, with approximately 400 local nurses returning to practice annually over the last decade.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Measures to Attract Students and Healthcare Professionals to Specialise in Geriatric Medicine

Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that measures to attract students and healthcare professionals to specialise in geriatric medicine and related fields include early exposure during medical training, increased specialist training positions, and additional allowances for geriatric medicine specialists.
The number of training positions for geriatric medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and palliative medicine more than doubled from 11 to 23 between 2013 and 2019.
A local training programme in Geriatric Pharmacy started in 2016, having trained three pharmacists so far and aiming to train another nine in the next three years.
Hospitals conduct in-house structured courses and offer an Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Gerontology), with 497 nurses having undergone this diploma in the last seven years.
The effectiveness of these measures is reflected in the increased training capacity and participation numbers, though ongoing efforts are needed to meet the demands of Singapore's ageing population.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Plans to Reduce Use of Hand Dryers in Hospitals, Nursing Home and Clinics

The Ministry of Health stated that public healthcare institutions follow infection control guidelines and international best practices to minimize bacteria transmission and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
In patient care areas such as wards and consultation rooms, paper hand towels are provided for drying hands after washing, while jet-air hand dryers may be available in some public areas with routine cleaning using hospital-grade disinfectants.
All healthcare institutions enforce hand hygiene practices, including staff using alcohol-based hand rub before patient contact, and visitors are encouraged to observe hand hygiene in patient care areas.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

7 Oct 2019

Community Pharmacists Performing Health Screening in Pharmacies or Health Events

Community pharmacists can perform health screenings like blood pressure and blood glucose checks in pharmacies or at health events under the Pharmaceutical Care Excellence initiative if they are trained.
These activities are conducted in partnership with and under the oversight of licensed healthcare providers who are accountable for the screening process and follow-up.
There is an established referral flow for individuals with abnormal results to nearby general practitioners for further care.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source