Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

2 Sep 2019

CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Bill

The CareShield Life scheme aims to provide universal, basic long-term care coverage for Singaporeans, with a focus on inclusiveness, affordability, and sustainability, and will be auto-enrolled for those born in 1980 or later while remaining optional for older cohorts.
Premiums are kept affordable through government subsidies, the use of MediSave, and early enrollment at age 30, but the scheme's design—including gender-differentiated premiums based on actuarial data—sparked debate on equity, with the Senior Minister of State emphasizing that gender-neutral premiums could lead to adverse selection and risk pool imbalances.
The government has established safeguards such as the CareShield Life Council for oversight, provisions for additional premium support for those in genuine need, and measures to prevent fraud and ensure transparency in claims and fund management.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Sep 2019

CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Bill

The CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Bill establishes a mandatory long-term care insurance scheme for Singaporeans born from 1980, providing lifelong cash payouts for severe disability, while older cohorts can opt in, with government subsidies and support funds to ensure affordability and inclusivity.
The bill transfers ElderShield from private insurers to government administration, introduces MediSave withdrawals for long-term care, and creates new assistance schemes like ElderFund for low-income severely disabled individuals.
Key concerns raised include the adequacy of the $600 monthly payout, the strict three-ADL eligibility criterion, gender-based premiums, data privacy, and the need for better public education and streamlined application processes for long-term care support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

2 Sep 2019

Update on Dengue Cases and Measures to Contain Its Spread

The Minister attributed the surge in dengue cases to a near-tripling of the Aedes mosquito population since 2013, warmer weather accelerating mosquito development, and lower herd immunity due to reduced past infections, with over 442,000 inspections revealing 8,200 breeding habitats, mostly in homes.
Efforts include enhanced surveillance with 14,000 new Gravitraps, community outreach via 5,000 volunteers, and ongoing enforcement actions, while Project Wolbachia remains in phased research and is not yet deployed for active clusters.
Officials emphasized that fogging alone is insufficient as most breeding occurs indoors, and while accessing homes is generally manageable, strict enforcement is necessary because dengue can be fatal, warranting fines even on first discovery to ensure public accountability.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Amount of Cash Paid by Singaporeans and Permanent Residents after Account Subsidies, MediShield Life and Medisave Deductions

Pritam Singh asked about the cash paid by Singaporeans and permanent residents in the 10th to 40th income deciles for subsidized hospitalization from 2015 to 2017 after subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave deductions.
The Ministry of Health responded that both Singaporean citizens and permanent residents in these deciles paid $0 in cash for subsidized hospitalization over the period.
For Singaporean citizens in the 10th to 40th per capita household income percentiles, the median cash payment was $0 after all deductions.
Permanent residents in the same income range paid between $38 and $47 in cash over the same period.
The data covers three years and specifically addresses the impact of subsidies and insurance on out-of-pocket costs for lower-income groups.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Statistics on Children Below Seven Years Old and Between Seven and 12 Years Old Contracting HFMD in the Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the absolute number and percentage of children below 7 and between 7 and 12 years old who contracted HFMD once, twice, or three or more times each year in the past five years.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that HFMD is a common childhood illness that most children recover from without treatment, and the Ministry of Health does not track these specific statistics because HFMD is not reportable and most cases are mild.
The Minister emphasized that controlling HFMD spread relies on maintaining personal and environmental hygiene, early medical treatment, and cooperation with other agencies to keep educational institutions vigilant.
Parents are advised to keep children with HFMD at home as advised by doctors to prevent further spread of the disease.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Trends of Persons of Minority Sexual Orientations or Gender Identities Seeking Mental Healthcare

Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked for statistics and trends on minority sexual orientations or gender identities seeking mental healthcare and for plans to provide targeted resources and LGBTQ-sensitivity training.
The Ministry of Health does not track figures for such individuals seeking mental healthcare and affirmed that services are available to all Singaporeans regardless of gender identity.
The Institute of Mental Health has a Gender Care Clinic offering support since 2017, but it is too early to identify trends, and healthcare providers are trained to offer empathetic and sensitive care.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Prosecution for Sale of Illegal Weight Loss Products

In the past three years, three persons have been prosecuted for selling illegal weight loss products containing undeclared medicinal ingredients.
The Health Sciences Authority regulates health products through a risk-based approach, with stringent evaluations for pharmaceutical medicines and prohibitions on potent ingredients in supplements, and it conducts post-market surveillance, testing, and public education.
Dealers importing or supplying products with prohibited ingredients face prosecution, with penalties of up to three years' imprisonment and/or a $100,000 fine.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Number of Patients Suffering from Bedsores or Pressure Injury in Community Hospitals

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked about the trend of bedsores or pressure injuries in community hospitals and nursing homes over the past five years, and whether there is an action plan to improve preventive care.
The Minister for Health, Gan Kim Yong, stated that severe pressure injuries in community hospitals have remained stable at about three cases per year over the last five years, with no increasing trend noted in nursing homes based on discussions.
The Ministry of Health does not mandate reporting of pressure injuries in nursing homes due to their lower risk setting compared to higher-care environments, but healthcare professionals monitor patients and implement preventive measures like air mattresses and regular turning for at-risk patients.
MOH and the Agency for Integrated Care encourage sharing of learnings and quality improvement initiatives across institutions, and a Pressure Injury Workgroup with nursing wound experts was recently convened to develop further preventive and management measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Bill

The CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Bill was introduced to establish the CareShield Life Scheme and provide long-term care financing support for severely disabled persons, with consequential amendments to other Acts.
The Bill was presented by Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong, recommended by the President, and read for the first time in Parliament.
Parliament scheduled the Bill for a second reading at the next available sitting and ordered it to be printed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Comprehensive Audits of Healthcare Institutions Seeking External Accreditation for Continuous Improvement

The Ministry of Health supports healthcare institutions seeking external accreditation for continuous improvement but requires them to meet core governance, clinical, and patient safety regulations through regular inspections and reviews, with plans to update legislation to meet evolving healthcare needs.
MOH benchmarks Singapore’s healthcare performance against international indices and outcomes, while encouraging quality improvement initiatives; some institutions voluntarily use external accreditations like JCI, but the focus is on developing customized standards tailored to Singapore’s unique challenges rather than relying solely on traditional audits.
The Ministry is working with local bodies and international organizations to create new audit and quality regimes, aiming to reduce excessive auditing burdens and move beyond relentless audits, with a timeline to be confirmed and updated to Parliament once finalized.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

6 Aug 2019

Process for Granting Clinical Privileges to Medical Professionals

The Ministry of Health and the Specialist Accreditation Board oversee clinical privileges by ensuring local doctors complete post-graduate training and assessments, while overseas-trained doctors must have their credentials verified for equivalent competence.
Additional authorisation from the Ministry is required for high-risk specialised procedures like transplants, assisted reproduction, and renal dialysis services.
Licensed hospitals must implement clinical privileging systems to match a doctor’s scope of practice with their competence, monitor ongoing practice, and have quality assurance committees.
The Ministry periodically inspects hospitals to ensure compliance with these regulatory requirements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Study to Determine Existence of Pattern of Dengue Cluster Formation for Preventive Action to be Taken

Ms. Joan Pereira queried whether the National Environmental Agency (NEA) had studied dengue cluster formation patterns for preventive action.
The NEA confirmed conducting scientific studies using big data and geographic information systems, which found dengue risk linked to population density, Aedes mosquito population, urbanization, and historical incidence.
The NEA uses a surveillance system with over 50,000 Gravitraps and deploys additional resources to high-risk areas before the dengue season, guided by data on mosquito breeding and transmission patterns.
Community participation is critical, as about 70% of mosquito breeding habitats are in homes, and regular "5-step Mozzie Wipe-out" is urged to prevent cluster formation.
The NEA is progressively deploying 14,000 additional Gravitraps to expand coverage and enhance preventive measures.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Availability and Plans to Raise Awareness of Egg Donor Scheme

The egg donor scheme in Singapore currently allows altruistic egg donation, but there is limited awareness and a scarcity of donors due to the invasive nature of the procedure, with most donations coming from relatives, friends, or women already undergoing assisted reproduction treatment.
The Ministry of Health has no specific plans to raise public awareness of the scheme, as assisted reproduction practitioners are required to counsel couples on donation options during treatment, which may indirectly inform potential donors.
To enhance the scheme and encourage more donors, the government focuses on maintaining the current altruistic framework, providing counselling, and facilitating donations from women with spare frozen eggs or embryos after their own treatment.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Statistics on Seven-year-old and 12-year-old Children Contracting HFMD in the Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked for the absolute number and percentage of 7-year-old and 12-year-old children who contracted HFMD at least once in the past five years, broken down by year.
Gan Kim Yong stated that HFMD is a common, usually mild childhood illness and most children recover without treatment.
The Ministry of Health does not track HFMD cases because infections are not reportable and are typically mild.
Control efforts focus on personal and environmental hygiene, with collaboration between MOH, MOE, ECDA, and PA to minimize spread in educational institutions.
Parents are advised to keep children with HFMD at home during illness to prevent spreading the disease.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Statistics on Users of Home-based and Community-based Eldercare Services and Average Out-of-pocket Expenditure after Maximum Subsidy

The Minister for Health stated that in the fourth quarter of 2018, around 16,000 Singapore residents used subsidised home or community care services, with 7,000 using home care services specifically.
Typical home care clients were mostly female, aged 80 and above, home-bound with chronic conditions or disabilities, and required assistance with mobility and other Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Around one in ten home care clients also used community-based services like day rehabilitation, and for those using both services under a bundled pilot, monthly out-of-pocket costs after maximum subsidies ranged from $300 to $600.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Extension of Co-funding for Assisted Reproductive Technologies Treatments

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked about the number of couples seeking assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment overseas, the extension of co-funding to private hospitals, reasons for decreasing co-funding per attempt, and the appeal process for women aged 45 and above for IVF.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that three public hospitals offer ART treatments with co-funding of up to $7,700 per fresh cycle and $2,200 per frozen cycle for three cycles each, and that the co-funding does not decrease with successive attempts, with sufficient capacity at public centres.
He noted that private hospitals use MediSave for cost offsets, the Ministry lacks data on overseas ART seekers, and women aged 45 and above can appeal for ART treatment, with an average processing time of about a week.
The Ministry is reviewing the maximum age limit for ART treatment due to advancements in safety.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Singapore's Average Daily Intake Amounts of Oil, Sugar and Salt

Over the last five years, the Health Promotion Board’s National Nutrition Survey found that Singaporeans’ average daily total fat intake was 98 grams in 2018 (up from 91 grams in 2010), sugar intake rose slightly to 60 grams per day (exceeding the WHO’s 50-gram limit), and salt intake was 9 grams in 2018 (well above the WHO’s 5-gram recommendation).
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board noted that while saturated fat as a percentage of total fat decreased and trans-fat intake halved between 2010 and 2018, overall fat, sugar, and salt levels remain above WHO guidelines, with pre-packaged drinks and sauces being major contributors.
The Ministry has not set specific long-term targets for oil, sugar, or salt consumption but continues to promote healthier diets, increase the availability of healthier food choices, and encourage citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Number of Qualified Therapists for Special Needs Children

There are approximately 3,600 registered occupational, physiotherapists, and speech therapists in Singapore, with over half in the public healthcare sector and about 20% in private practice.
About 15% of registered therapists work in government-funded social service agencies, supported by three Therapy Hubs that have grown from 170 to 260 therapists since 2015.
The average annual student intake for occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy courses from 2016 to 2018 was around 220, with ongoing efforts to align training with sector demand.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Installation of AEDs in Public Parks

Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for National Development about NParks' plans to install AEDs in public parks.
Lawrence Wong stated that NParks, in collaboration with SCDF, has already installed 170 AEDs in highly frequented parks and park connectors, located at key visitor areas.
He noted that the myResponder app helps the public locate the nearest AED and that NParks is continuing to install more AEDs in consultation with SCDF.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Aug 2019

Effectiveness of Save-A-Life Initiative

The Save-A-Life initiative launched by SCDF in 2015 has increased bystander CPR and AED use, leading to a rise in the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests from 4.1% in 2014 to 6.5% in 2016.
Over 4,800 AEDs have been installed in HDB lift lobbies and more than 200,000 people have been trained in CPR and AED operation, with community first responders via the myResponder app growing from 214 in 2015 to 820 in 2017.
The government will continue collaborating with health agencies and the Singapore Heart Foundation to expand AED installations and encourage public participation in the initiative.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source