Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

6 May 2019

Quality of Training at Overseas Medical Schools Dropped from Approved List

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh questioned the Ministry of Health about the concerns with the quality of training at 57 overseas medical schools being removed from the approved list, how these concerns are measured, and whether Singaporean students or graduates from these schools should worry.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that the removal considers factors like the schools' academic standing, rankings, and the performance of Singaporean doctors from these schools, with a focus on those that adapt well to local practice.
He assured that current students and graduates from the affected schools before January 1, 2020, will not be impacted, and all overseas graduates will receive orientation and supervision to adapt to Singapore's healthcare environment.
The list of approved schools is regularly reviewed based on Singapore's evolving healthcare needs, with past adjustments made in 1993 and between 2003 and 2007.

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6 May 2019

Number of People Using Medisave to Pay for Parents' Healthcare Bills

Over the past five years, the number of Medisave withdrawals for parents' healthcare expenses ranged from 161,000 in 2014 to 193,000 in 2018, representing 9.7% and 3.8% of total withdrawals respectively.
The average withdrawal amount for parents' healthcare costs decreased from $760 in 2014 to about $440 in 2018.
The data was provided in response to a parliamentary question by Png Eng Huat, with the Minister for Health, Gan Kim Yong, supplying the figures.

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6 May 2019

Payment for A&E Services in Public Hospitals

Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if payment for accident and emergency (A&E) services in public hospitals is required upfront or after treatment, and whether low-income or needy patients are eligible for subsidised fees.
Gan Kim Yong stated that all patients are charged a single flat subsidised rate for basic A&E services, regardless of income, with payment processes varying by hospital and whether cases are emergencies.
He emphasized that no one is denied essential A&E services due to inability to pay and that patients facing financial difficulties can seek assistance from medical social workers.

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6 May 2019

Preventive Measures at Hospitals in light of Emergence of Drug-resistant Superbugs

The Minister for Health highlighted that Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global issue exacerbated by the misuse of drugs and Singapore’s role as a travel hub, with 16 unlinked cases of Candida auris detected locally.
Singapore has implemented a National Strategic Action Plan on AMR, which includes regulation of antibiotics, public education campaigns, and Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes in hospitals to manage drug use and infection control.
The Ministry emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance, surveillance, and collaboration across sectors and internationally to address AMR, while urging individual responsibility in the proper use of antimicrobials and hygiene practices.

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6 May 2019

Pioneer Generation Fund (Amendment) Bill

The Merdeka Generation Package will provide benefits such as $100 PAssion Silver card top-ups, MediSave top-ups, MediShield Life premium subsidies, CHAS clinic subsidies, and a CareShield Life sign-up incentive to support seniors born between 1950 and 1959 in their healthcare and active living.
The Amendment Bill establishes the Merdeka Generation Fund with $6.1 billion set aside, which will be managed separately from the Pioneer Generation Fund and requires annual financial statements and audits for both funds.
Eligibility for the Merdeka Generation Package applies to Singapore citizens born between 1 January 1950 and 31 December 1959, with an appeals process for those born before 1950 who did not receive the Pioneer Generation Package.
Outreach efforts are underway through home visits, community events, workplaces, and media campaigns to ensure eligible seniors are informed and can access the benefits.
The Bill amends the existing Pioneer Generation Fund Act to rename it the "Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation Funds Act" and defines the governance, regulations, and benefits for the Merdeka Generation Fund.

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1 Apr 2019

Medical Tourism Receipts for 2015 to 2018

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong requested annual medical tourism receipts from 2015 to 2018 from the Minister for Trade and Industry.
Chan Chun Sing responded that his Ministry and agencies lack comprehensive data on overseas visitors' medical expenditure in Singapore.
Chan Chun Sing also stated that medical tourism is not part of Singapore's tourism strategy.

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1 Apr 2019

Average Cash Top-up by Patients after MediShield Life and Medisave Deductions for Subsidised Hospitalisations

Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Health for the years 2015 to 2018 for the number of Singaporeans and PRs who paid more than $100 in cash after subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave deductions for subsidised hospitalisations, and the average cash payment per patient for these cases.
Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that from 2015 to 2017, about 80% of subsidised hospitalisation bills required $100 or less in cash, and for the remaining bills, the median cash payment was around $500, which decreased with the introduction of MediShield Life.
The Minister emphasized that the government regularly reviews healthcare financing and ensures no Singaporean is denied care due to affordability, with MediFund available for those struggling with bills.

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1 Apr 2019

Attracting Local Workers in Senior Care Industry

Based on 2018 data, 40% of the 12,000 workers in the Long Term Care sector were locals.
The government is enhancing job attractiveness by raising awareness, providing training, and increasing salary competitiveness through partnerships with agencies like AIC, WSG, and e2i.
Specific initiatives include the Community Care Traineeship Programme, on-the-job training support, and the Community Care Manpower Development Award to support skill development.
MOH has provided funding to raise wages, resulting in a 30% aggregate increase from 2012 to 2017, and plans to continue efforts to attract more locals.

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1 Apr 2019

Measures to Prevent Healthcare Insurance Fraud

MOH monitors MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plan claims, working with insurers to identify suspicious patterns and referring potential criminal cases to the police.
The Singapore Medical Council enforces ethical guidelines that prohibit doctors from letting financial considerations influence clinical judgement, with disciplinary action for violations.
MOH urges doctors, healthcare staff, patients, insurers, and the public to report suspected fraud to MOH, SMC, or the police.

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1 Apr 2019

Update on Usage of CHAS Card at GP Clinics

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the number of residents using CHAS cards at GP clinics since the scheme's introduction and the percentage increase compared to polyclinic visits.
Gan Kim Yong responded that CHAS was introduced in 2012 and provides subsidies for citizens with CHAS, Pioneer Generation, or future Merdeka Generation cards at private GP and dental clinics.
The number of cardholders benefiting from CHAS medical subsidies rose ninefold from about 60,000 in 2012 to about 550,000 in 2018.
CHAS aims to encourage residents to use GP clinics for subsidized care, reducing reliance on polyclinics.
The data indicates a significant increase in CHAS cardholder usage over the years, supporting the scheme's growth and reach.

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1 Apr 2019

Effectiveness of Online Appointment System in Reducing Waiting Time at Polyclinics

The median waiting time at polyclinics was 11 minutes in 2018, down from 14 minutes in 2017, showing an improvement.
Online appointment systems allow patients, including those with chronic conditions or needing unplanned visits, to schedule appointments via HealthHub or contact centres, reducing wait times to arriving 15 minutes before the appointment.
Healthcare assistants are available on-site to assist elderly or IT-savvy individuals with registration and learning to use online platforms, especially for unplanned visits.

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1 Apr 2019

Extension of HPV Vaccination Programme and One-off Catch-up Programme to Male Students

Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health to consider extending the HPV vaccination and catch-up programmes to male students.
The Ministry of Health explained that vaccine inclusion is based on disease burden, herd immunity, and cost-effectiveness, with the current female programme targeting cervical cancer.
MOH noted that while HPV vaccination can protect males against other conditions, the risks are less severe and cost-effectiveness does not currently support a male programme.
The ministry will continue monitoring evidence and review the policy for males as new data on clinical and cost-effectiveness emerges.

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1 Apr 2019

Review Ban against E-cigarettes as Alternative for Long-term Smokers

Melvin Yong asked the Ministry of Health to review the e-cigarette ban for long-term smokers, and Minister Gan Kim Yong explained the ban remains due to health risks, the danger of increased use and youth uptake, and the gateway effect, while noting limited and mixed evidence on efficacy.
The Ministry highlighted a study showing e-cigarettes helped more smokers quit than nicotine replacement therapy when combined with counseling, but most quitters continued using e-cigarettes, few quit nicotine entirely, and dual use increased toxin exposure.
Singapore allows e-cigarettes to be registered as therapeutic products if manufacturers provide evidence of safety and efficacy, but so far no company has done so, and existing approved cessation aids and support services are available.
The government will continue monitoring evidence on e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, keeping the focus on proven methods like counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, and medications.

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1 Apr 2019

Public Education on Dangers of Consumption of Psychoactive Substances

The Government, through the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA), runs targeted campaigns to correct the misconception that New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) are less risky, emphasizing their severe physical and psychological harms.
CNB has intensified online and social media efforts since 2016, including youth-centric videos and infographics, to counter misinformation and build resilience against drug abuse.
Initiatives like the "Feed Ambition. Fight Temptation" campaign and illustrated books engage youths and parents, while outreach programs and collaborations with educators and NS commanders strengthen anti-drug advocacy across communities.

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1 Apr 2019

Protecting Patients' Interests and Supporting the Medical Community

The Ministry of Health is deeply concerned about recent Singapore Medical Council disciplinary tribunal and court decisions that have raised public and medical community concerns about informed consent, radiologist responsibilities, and the fairness and consistency of disciplinary outcomes, with appeals lodged in two specific cases.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced a comprehensive review of the SMC's disciplinary processes, led by a multi-disciplinary workgroup and a sentencing guidelines committee, to address delays, improve consistency, and provide clearer guidance on informed consent and adverse report handling.
The government will issue legally binding clinical practice guidance in key areas, such as informed consent and verification of next-of-kin identities, to reduce uncertainty, support doctors, and protect patient interests, while also considering legislative changes for greater clarity.

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1 Apr 2019

Guidelines for Doctors' Communication of Information to Patient's Family

Dr Chia Shi-Lu raised concerns about the parameters for doctors to communicate medical information to a patient's family, especially in cases of implied consent, urgency, or when doctors are misled in good faith.
Dr Lim Wee Kiak questioned the Ministry of Health on mitigating factors in a recent SMC ruling, its impact on urgent communication, and the need for clearer guidelines for doctors.
The Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, requested to address both questions together in a Ministerial Statement, which the Speaker approved.

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7 Mar 2019

Regulation of Non-subsidised Private Daycare and Homecare Services

Louis Ng asked whether the government plans to tighten regulation of unsubsidised private daycare and homecare services, which currently lack mandatory minimum standards, and whether these services should be licensed like childcare and nursing homes.
Gan Kim Yong noted that healthcare professionals in the sector are already licensed by their professional bodies and that developmental service guidelines were introduced in 2015 for home and day care providers.
He stated that MOH will review the need for more formal regulation and has included provision for future regulation of these services in the upcoming Healthcare Services Act, but the timing and approach will depend on the sector's evolution.

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7 Mar 2019

Update on Review on Getting More Companies to Offer Neo-natal Insurance for In-vitro Fertilisation

Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that the Assisted Reproduction Programme (ARP) insurance scheme currently provides cash benefits for neonatal care for IVF babies, but with the introduction of MediShield Life and the MediSave Grant for Newborns, universal coverage for neonatal and delivery complications is now available.
The Ministry of Health will remove the mandatory requirement for couples to purchase ARP insurance before undergoing IVF effective 1 April 2019, as public schemes now provide sufficient coverage.
Insurers may continue offering ARP or similar products based on market demand, and couples can still purchase private insurance for additional coverage beyond public schemes.

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7 Mar 2019

Insurance and Other Assistance Given to Injured NSmen

Two NSmen in the past five years have asked MINDEF to extend their private insurance beyond MediShield Life for service-related injuries.
MINDEF provides full medical coverage for all service-related injuries at government hospitals and clinics, including specialist care, supplies, and long-term treatment.
The coverage is expanded to include aggravated injuries or new conditions arising from the original injury, with higher compensation for increased permanent disability.
Financial assistance may also be offered through MINDEF’s welfare schemes to support injured NSmen.

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6 Mar 2019

Occupational Injury Cases Seen by Private vis-à-vis Restructured Healthcare Providers

Over the past three years, approximately 75% of work injury cases were seen by public healthcare institutions and 25% by private providers, with similar industry and occupation profiles across both.
Public healthcare institutions handled a larger proportion of serious injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and crushing injuries, while private providers saw more less serious cases like bruises and sprains.
The debate highlighted that despite similar occupational patterns, the severity of injuries differed between the two types of healthcare providers, suggesting potential variations in case referral or reporting practices.

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