Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

5 Feb 2018

Compensation for Passengers Injured in Joo Koon MRT-train Collision

Dennis Tan asked how passengers injured in the Joo Koon MRT collision were compensated for their injuries, medical expenses, and other losses, and which party is responsible for these costs.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that SMRT, as the rail operator, has reimbursed and will continue to reimburse the injured passengers’ medical and related expenses.
The exchange clarified that SMRT is the party bearing the financial responsibility for compensating the affected passengers.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2018

Employers Covering Employees' Medication Costs for Outpatient Treatment

Zainal Sapari questioned why the Employment Act does not require employers to cover medication costs for outpatient treatment.
Lim Swee Say explained that the Act only mandates employers to pay for consultation fees to obtain a medical certificate for sick leave, not additional medical benefits, to avoid disadvantaging job seekers with health issues.
He noted that 86% of employers voluntarily provide outpatient benefits, and that lower-income Singaporeans can access subsidised care at polyclinics, specialist clinics, and through the CHAS scheme.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2018

Regulation of Online Platforms that Sell Drugs that Require Doctors' Prescriptions

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) monitors and removes illegal online sales of prescription drugs, working with web administrators and international agencies like INTERPOL to enforce laws that prohibit such sales.
Individuals caught selling prescription-only medicines online without a license face fines up to $50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years under the Health Products Act.
HSA conducts public education campaigns, including advisories and an online video, to warn consumers about the dangers of buying medicines from unlicensed online sources.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2018

Safeguarding Confidentiality of Patient Information with National Electronic Health Record

The Ministry of Health will govern and authorize all access to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), with applications for GP accounts reviewed and approved before access is granted, and access limited strictly to direct patient care or legally enabled purposes.
Security measures include two-factor authentication, detection features for suspicious activity, audit logs of all access, and patient access to view records to report unauthorized use, with misuse subject to legal penalties under existing and proposed laws.
The NEHR system employs multi-layered cybersecurity defenses, including regular penetration tests and independent audits, to protect against cyberattacks while emphasizing continued vigilance.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

5 Feb 2018

Competency-based Remuneration at Public Healthcare Institutions

Public healthcare institutions are progressively shifting from academic qualifications to skills and competencies in recruitment, remuneration, and promotion, with academic qualifications mainly used as a reference for new recruits lacking work experience.
For mid-career recruits, relevant experience is considered in salary determination, and beyond entry grades, salary and career progression are largely performance- and competency-based, as seen in nurses' remuneration and promotion.
The Ministry of Health is partnering with SkillsFuture Singapore to develop Skills Frameworks for Healthcare to define roles, skills, and training for various healthcare job roles, with implementation expected by the end of the year in collaboration with unions.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

10 Jan 2018

Young Children Injured through Accidental Burns

The Ministry of Health monitors burn injuries in young children via the National Trauma Registry, with an average of 580 cases annually among children under 16, mostly occurring at home—particularly in kitchens.
Preventive measures include burn prevention advice in the Health Promotion Board’s Child Health Booklet, resources on its Health Hub, and community education programs by hospitals targeting parents and caregivers.
The Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that the Health Booklet’s safety checklist specifically addresses burns prevention at home, covering hazards in kitchens, living rooms, and other areas.
A member inquired about data on non-accidental burn cases related to abuse, but the Parliamentary Secretary did not have this information and suggested filing a separate question.
The debate emphasized the critical role of parents and caregivers in preventing burns by keeping young children away from high-risk areas like kitchens.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2018

Wheelchair Transport Assistance for Low-income Families

The Ministry of Health provides funding through the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) for wheelchairs and transport services, with 23,000 seniors receiving wheelchair subsidies and 6,000 receiving transport subsidies over the past five years.
Low-income families receive higher subsidies under the SMF and the Medical Escort and Transport (MET) service, which provides accompanied transport for medical appointments.
The Ministry is working with transport providers, including taxi companies and ride-hailing services like Uber, to train drivers and increase wheelchair-accessible transport options for seniors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2018

Encouraging Women to Obtain HPV Vaccinations to Prevent Cervical Cancer

Leon Perera asked for an update on efforts to encourage HPV vaccination, the take-up rate, and whether more subsidies and awareness campaigns could be considered.
Gan Kim Yong explained that HPV causes cervical cancer and that vaccination for females aged nine to 26 is recommended under the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule since 2010, with MediSave usable for the vaccine.
About one in four Singaporean female residents aged 26 in 2016 had been vaccinated, based on MediSave claims.
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board are increasing public education via HealthHub and social media, while sensitively addressing HPV as a sexually-transmitted infection and encouraging parental discussions with doctors.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2018

Residents who have benefited from Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme

Close to 149,000 households have benefited from the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme since its launch in July 2012.
The programme partners with healthcare professionals to provide modifications such as ramps, grab bars, and slip-resistant bathroom floors to reduce fall risks for seniors.
HDB regularly reviews EASE with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to enhance the package, including trials for smart sensors and alarms in Yuhua estate.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2018

Singapore's Medical Inflation Rate

Singapore's healthcare inflation averaged 2.4% annually from 2011 to 2016, compared to the OECD average of 1.6%, but has more recently declined to about 1.2% (2013–2016) due to government subsidy schemes.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that overall healthcare spending, which rose over 60% from 2011 to 2015 due to infrastructure and workforce expansion, is a more critical indicator than inflation alone, especially with an ageing population.
The government is implementing three strategies to manage costs: investing in health promotion and prevention, shifting care from hospitals to communities, and focusing on value-based care through innovation and collaboration with private and community providers.
A collective effort involving healthcare providers, workers, unions, and patients is necessary to sustainably control healthcare cost increases amid growing demand.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Jan 2018

Plan for Mobilising and Coordinating Healthcare Resources in Mass Casualty Incidents

The Ministry of Health confirmed it has a national inter-agency plan for mass casualty incidents, similar to France's "Plan Blanc," which coordinates healthcare resources and involves command teams and regular multi-agency exercises.
The plan primarily focuses on public healthcare institutions but involves private sector resources as needed, with ongoing consultations and engagements.
Singapore actively studies international emergency response plans, including those of France, Israel, and the UK, to incorporate evolving global experiences into its own strategies.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Total Amount of MediSave Contributions Belonging to Pensioners under Their Respective Pension Schemes

The total MediSave contributions for pensioners vary by scheme, with CPW pensioners having an average balance of $15,700, CCS pensioners $47,400, and MSO pensioners $43,300, while FAW pensioners do not set aside MediSave.
In 2016, CPW, CCS, and MSO pensioners made an average of one, two, and three MediSave transactions per person respectively.
Government pensioners are eligible for one of four post-retirement medical benefits, each with different MediSave requirements and transaction frequencies.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Number of Neighbourly Disputes Referred to IMH by Police and Other Agencies

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health for the number of cases referred to IMH by police or other agencies due to neighbourly disputes over the past three years and what help is available for residents dealing with neighbours suspected of having mental health conditions.
The Institute of Mental Health does not keep data on such referrals, but the Agency for Integrated Care received 31 referrals for mental health assessments from neighbourly disputes between 2015 and 2017, with eight cases referred to IMH for treatment.
Residents can contact the Agency for Integrated Care at careinmind@aic.sg for assistance and referral, or the IMH Mental Health 24-hour Helpline at 6389 2222 for crisis situations, while dangerous behaviours should be reported to police via 999.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Timeline and Plan for Launching of GPFirst Scheme Nationally

The Ministry of Health announced that the GPFirst pilot scheme, which started at Changi General Hospital in 2014, will be extended to more public hospitals in 2018 as part of a national rollout plan.
The pilot involved an investment of about $1 million in 2016 to cover subsidies, GP engagement, and publicity, resulting in reduced emergency department cases and cost savings for patients and hospitals.
The scheme provides a $50 subsidy for patients referred from GPs to the emergency department, lowering patient costs compared to direct ED visits and allowing EDs to focus on critical cases.
The Ministry concluded that the benefits of the pilot justified the costs, and the national expansion will involve establishing GP partnerships and promoting public awareness.
While the projected annual cost and average benefit per beneficiary were not specified, the pilot demonstrated overall cost-effectiveness and patient savings.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Issues and Challenges Faced in Implementation of MediShield Life

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef raised questions on the implementation issues, compliance rate, and enforcement actions for MediShield Life, which was launched in 2015 to provide lifelong coverage for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
The Ministry of Health reported successful implementation with 300,000 claims made, including 40,000 previously uninsured individuals, and increased claims from $758 million in 2016 to $845 million in 2017, supported by outreach efforts.
A high compliance rate is achieved with only 1% of residents not fully paying premiums by October 2017, and the government ensures no coverage loss due to financial difficulties through assistance from relevant ministries.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Number of Persons Pledging to Donate Whole Bodies to Medical Research after Death

Seah Kian Peng asked the Minister for Health about the number of persons pledging to donate their whole bodies to medical research after death in the last three years.
Gan Kim Yong stated that under the Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act, individuals aged 18 and above who are not mentally disordered can pledge their whole bodies for research, transplant, or education.
Gan Kim Yong provided the number of new pledges for whole body donation to medical research in the last three years, as shown in a table in the response.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Developing Affordable Home-based Care for Ageing Population

Over 4,200 residents are currently receiving government subsidies for home-based nursing care, with up to two-thirds of households eligible and lower-income families receiving subsidies of up to 80%.
Additional support includes the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund for assistive devices and home healthcare items, as well as grants and levy concessions for hiring foreign domestic workers to care for frail seniors.
The government aims to expand home-based care capacity to 10,000 places by 2020 and is improving quality and affordability through integrated home and day care services.
A review of the ElderShield scheme is underway to help Singaporeans better prepare for long-term care costs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Impact of New US Guideline of Defining High Blood Pressure

The Ministry of Health will maintain its definition of hypertension at 140/90 mmHg, after consulting local experts and considering global guidelines, rather than adopting the new US definition of 130/80 mmHg.
Adopting the US guideline would nearly double Singapore’s hypertension prevalence from 21.5% to 43.2%, though management approaches remain broadly similar, with lifestyle changes recommended for all and medication for higher risk cases.
The Health Promotion Board is running initiatives like Screen For Life, which has enhanced subsidies, to raise awareness, encourage regular health screening, and promote healthy lifestyles to prevent and manage hypertension.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Offender's Mental Condition Considered for Sentence of Reformative Training

Murali Pillai proposed expanding the requirement under section 305(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code to mandate an independent report from a Court-appointed psychiatrist for reformative training sentencing, in addition to the current report from the Commissioner of Prisons.
The Minister for Law, K Shanmugam, stated that the existing pre-sentencing report already includes a mental condition assessment by a Singapore Prison Service psychiatrist who is familiar with the reformative training regime and makes an independent professional judgment.
The Minister noted that courts can currently exercise discretion to cross-examine the SPS psychiatrist or obtain further expert evidence, including a Court-appointed psychiatrist, if deemed necessary.
The Minister argued against a general requirement for an independent Court-appointed psychiatrist report in all cases, as it could unnecessarily prolong the offender's remand period.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

8 Jan 2018

Central Procurement for Common Essentials across Public Hospitals

A central Group Procurement Office has been in place since 2001 to achieve economies of scale, covering about 90% of standard drugs and 60% of non-standard drugs, as well as surgical supplies and contract services across public healthcare clusters.
Procurement services have been extended to community hospitals and nursing homes, and IT system purchases are centrally coordinated to secure volume discounts and consolidate data centres for greater efficiency.
The government will continue to seek further efficiencies and cost reductions through bulk purchasing and central procurement to pass savings on to patients.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source