Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

11 Sep 2017

Gaming Arcade Operators Obligated to Identify Patrons who Appear Addicted

Murali Pillai proposed that gaming arcade operators be required to identify patrons potentially suffering from gaming addiction and implement supportive measures.
K Shanmugam stated that gaming arcades are regulated as amusement centres under the Public Entertainments Act, focusing on law and order, and are not required to identify addicted patrons like gambling venues are.
He noted that current regulations prohibit admitting students in uniform or individuals under 16 on school days before 6:30 PM as a safeguard for youth.
K Shanmugam highlighted efforts by the Media Literacy Council to raise awareness about gaming addiction and provide resources for families and individuals.
He emphasized that families and friends should monitor loved ones and seek help from social service centres or the National Addictions Management Service for those with severe addiction.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Correlation between Suicide and Students' Anxiety Levels

Low Thia Khiang asked the Ministry of Education to compare Singapore's student suicide rates and anxiety-related psychiatric conditions with other developed countries.
Ng Chee Meng stated that in 2016, about 0.5% of students received school counselling for academic stress-related anxiety and that the Ministry lacks data to compare psychiatric conditions.
He provided suicide figures for youths aged 19 and below, showing 22 cases in 2016, 27 in 2015, 13 in 2014, and 17 in 2013, noting these include both students and non-students.
Ng Chee Meng concluded that Singapore's youth suicide rate is generally lower than that of other developed countries.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Reducing Anxiety Levels of Singapore Students

The Ministry of Education adopts a holistic education approach through Applied Learning Programmes and Co-Curricular Activities to build strong foundations and reduce excessive competition.
Measures include stopping the naming of top scorers, introducing broad grading bands for national examinations, and equipping students with social-emotional skills and stress-coping strategies.
Counselling support is provided for students experiencing anxiety, with about five per 1,000 students receiving such support in 2016, and the Ministry continues to monitor student well-being proactively.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Disallow Advertisements of Misleading Claims on General Health Products

Dr. Chia Shi-Lu questioned how the Health Products Act classifies products making specific health claims and what safeguards exist to prevent misleading advertisements for general health products.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that western drugs and medical devices are regulated under the Health Products Act, while complementary products like traditional medicines and supplements fall under the Medicines Act, with all prohibited from making curative claims for serious diseases.
Advertisements for serious conditions such as diabetes and cancer are banned, and direct advertising of prescription-only medicines is prohibited, with the Health Sciences Authority conducting surveillance and enforcement.
Non-compliant advertisers must cease and remove misleading ads, issue clarifications, and face penalties up to a $20,000 fine, 12 months imprisonment, or both under the Health Products Act.
The Health Sciences Authority advises companies on regulatory requirements and works with them to rectify non-compliant advertisements to protect consumers from misleading health claims.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Increasing Test Laboratories' and GPs' Data Submission in National Electronic Health Record

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry of Health will require all laboratories to upload test results to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR) and provide trained personnel to assist general practitioners in participating.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that data contribution to NEHR is currently voluntary for private healthcare providers, but the Ministry plans to mandate it under the new Healthcare Services Bill for all licensed providers, including laboratories.
MOH is conducting public consultations and has set up dedicated teams to engage healthcare providers, understand their concerns, and offer support, while also working with IT providers to facilitate NEHR connections.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Pioneer Generation Package Coverage for Traditional Chinese Medicine Services

Miss Cheryl Chan asked whether Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services could be included under the Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) and if MediSave incentives could be given to those who do not use PGP subsidies in a year to encourage staying healthy.
The Minister for Health responded that there are no plans to extend PGP subsidies to TCM, as the package is focused on hospital, polyclinic, and GP care, while TCM plays a complementary role and receives other government support.
The Minister noted that Pioneers receive annual MediSave top-ups and that staying healthy helps them save more for future needs, with additional measures like the "You Can Get Moving" campaign and free health screenings under the Screen for Life programme to promote wellness.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Advice on Potential Risks of Artificial Sweeteners

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked whether the Ministry of Health will update advisories on artificial sweeteners for vulnerable groups and patients in light of new research.
Minister Gan Kim Yong affirmed that international health authorities permit artificial sweeteners in a balanced diet, and no country has banned them.
Singapore does not allow artificially sweetened food and beverages in schools to discourage children's sweet habits, complementing the healthy meals programme.
The Ministry will continue to raise public awareness and support healthier choices to keep Singaporeans healthy and active.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

11 Sep 2017

Community Sentencing and Other Rehabilitative Options

Member Murali Pillai proposed expanding community-based sentencing and rehabilitative options for offenders with challenging mental disorders, citing limitations in the current system where guarded prognosis cases often result in jail instead of tailored community interventions, and highlighted anomalies where offences with mandatory sentences are excluded from such options.
Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah affirmed the government's support for expanding rehabilitative options through community-based sentencing, including potentially extending eligibility to offences with specified minimum sentences, while emphasizing the need to balance public safety and justice, and outlined existing support systems like prison psychiatric care and inter-agency referrals to prevent re-offending.
Both speakers agreed on the need for a balanced, evolutionary approach to strengthen the criminal justice system, with government commitment to review and enhance community-based rehabilitative frameworks while relying on community and stakeholder support.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Aug 2017

Shortage of Local Doctors in Singapore

Foo Mee Har raised questions about a potential shortage of local doctors, asking how the Ministry is helping students, young doctors, and the public understand medical career prospects and Singapore’s reliance on foreign doctors.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong stated there is no shortage, with 84% of 13,000 registered doctors being local, and outlined plans to increase local medical intakes from 354 in 2012 to 500 by 2018.
The Ministry is attracting overseas-trained Singaporean doctors back with grants and incentives, resulting in a doubling of returning doctors from 92 in 2012 to 182 in 2016.
While foreign doctors supplement the workforce, the Ministry expects reduced future recruitment as more Singaporeans join, and is raising awareness of shifting demands toward generalist disciplines like Family Medicine and Geriatrics.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Aug 2017

Couples with Unsuccessful Pregnancy after Three Cycles of Subsidised Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment

Louis Ng asked how many couples and what percentage did not have a successful pregnancy after three cycles of Government-subsidised Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment.
Gan Kim Yong explained that eligible couples can receive up to 75% co-funding for up to three fresh and three frozen ART cycles until age 40.
From 2013 to 2015, 75.3% of Government-funded ART cycles were unsuccessful after the first cycle, rising to 79.3% after the second and 81.9% after the third cycle.
The success rate of ART is higher for younger patients, with detailed breakdowns provided by year.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Aug 2017

Standard Bar Code Label on Drugs as Safeguard

K Thanaletchimi proposed making it mandatory for all drug manufacturers and suppliers to include a standard barcode on unit packs with product name, batch number, and expiry date before import, registration, and sale in Singapore to ensure drug integrity and traceability.
Gan Kim Yong responded that the Health Sciences Authority already requires licensed entities to maintain records and include product details on unit packs, and conducts post-market surveillance, with plans to improve current systems.
The Health Sciences Authority supports standardized barcoding in principle but notes the lack of an international harmonized standard, and warns that imposing a unique Singapore requirement could deter drug suppliers or increase costs for patients.
The authority will monitor international developments in barcoding standards while continuing to enhance existing drug safety and traceability measures without immediate changes to mandatory barcoding.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

1 Aug 2017

Guidelines to Minimise Misdiagnosis by Doctors

The Ministry of Health clarified that it does not advocate for all cases to undergo detailed diagnostic tests to avoid misdiagnosing rare conditions, as this would constitute defensive medicine, increase healthcare costs, and deviate from good clinical practice, though doctors must use clinical judgment and follow existing international guidelines, such as those for Kawasaki disease.
The Senior Minister of State for Health outlined the facts of a specific case where a paediatrician was suspended for three months for failing to diagnose Kawasaki disease despite symptoms warranting further investigation, noting the decision was based on international guidelines and precedents, and emphasizing the importance of continuing medical education and peer review.
Dr. Lim Wee Kiak raised concerns about the impact of such verdicts on healthcare costs and defensive medicine, questioning whether every child with fever and rash would need extensive testing, and asked the Ministry to monitor trends in investigation costs and defensive practices.
The Ministry responded by specifying diagnostic tests for Kawasaki disease, such as C-reactive protein and echocardiograms, and advised doctors not to overreact but to rely on thorough clinical examination, international guidelines, and consultation with colleagues, while monitoring for unnecessary investigations.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jul 2017

Risks of Smoking Unfiltered Tobacco Leaves

The government has mandated graphic health warnings and point-of-sale display bans for all tobacco products, and runs public education and cessation campaigns that have reached thousands of smokers, including those using unfiltered tobacco leaves.
Laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to individuals under 21 are strictly enforced for all tobacco products, with penalties including fines and licence suspension or revocation for errant retailers.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges concerns that unfiltered tobacco products like Ang Hoon may be perceived as less harmful, and plans to include specific messages in education campaigns to correct this misconception while continuing enforcement across all tobacco categories.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jul 2017

Suicides of Migrant Workers

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of suicides among migrant workers over the past three years and the measures for early detection of mental illnesses.
From 2014 to 2016, an average of 32 work permit holders, including foreign domestic workers, committed suicide annually, with a suicide rate of 3.25 per 100,000, compared to 7.54 per 100,000 for the total population.
All work permit holders undergo a mandatory pre-employment medical examination that includes a basic mental state assessment.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducts outreach through education programmes, newsletters, and guidebooks on mental well-being, and has Foreign Worker Ambassadors who distribute collaterals with contacts for NGOs offering counselling services.
Employers and workers are urged to collaborate in identifying early signs of mental stress and refer affected individuals to organizations like the Samaritans of Singapore or Silver Ribbon for timely help.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jul 2017

Taxes on Loose Tobacco Leaves and Cigarette Paper

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar questioned if tobacco taxes on loose tobacco leaves and cigarette paper in Singapore are adequate.
Minister Heng Swee Keat outlined Singapore’s multi-pronged strategy, including advertising bans, public place smoking prohibitions, education, cessation services, and taxation.
He noted a 25% excise duty increase on Ang Hoon in 2013, which, alongside other measures, led to a 30% drop in loose tobacco consumption from 2013 to 2016.
The Ministry of Finance will continue collaborating with the Ministry of Health to monitor and apply international best practices for tobacco control.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jul 2017

Measures to Identify and Help Women with Ante- and Postnatal Depression

Hospitals like KKH and NUH, which handle 90% of public deliveries, have funded programmes under the National Mental Health Blueprint to screen women for antenatal and postnatal depression and provide early intervention, while SGH offers referrals to a psychiatry clinic for the remaining 10%.
Screening occurs at specific postnatal weeks at specialist clinics, with antenatal screening at multiple trimesters at NUH; positive cases are managed by multi-disciplinary teams, and families receive information and contacts.
Both KKH and NUH offer antenatal talks and classes for women and spouses on maternal depression, and awareness is raised through public media, forums, and materials in waiting areas.
All clinicians are encouraged to use the 2010 clinical practice guideline to ask about and refer for maternal depression, and the Health Promotion Board provides resources like the Healthy Pregnancy Plan and Healthy Start guide to all mothers.
There are efforts to educate the public, employers, and families through workshops, videos, and brochures, with acknowledgments that further outreach to spouses, extended family, and the general public is needed.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

4 Jul 2017

Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates at Public and Private Centres

The Ministry of Health provided ART success rates for public and private centres, showing a decline with maternal age, with higher rates in public centres overall.
The Ministry stated it will review ART subsidies if average bill sizes rise significantly, noting that co-funding was last enhanced in 2013.
The Ministry indicated no current decision to extend ART co-funding age limits, citing evidence that success rates drop sharply after age 35 and are low for women above 40.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Jul 2017

Regulations and Licensing Requirements for Trade Fairs

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked whether regulations for trade fairs and their licensing would be reviewed and updated.
Under the Environmental Public Health Act, permits from the National Environment Agency are required for temporary fairs to address public health and cleanliness concerns, including contracts with licensed cleaners and waste collectors.
The National Environment Agency licenses food stall operators in fairs, mandates food handler registration and hygiene training, and takes enforcement action for violations.
The government regularly reviews its schemes and policies to ensure relevance and may introduce changes to safeguard public health and the environment.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Jul 2017

Cause of Lapse in Use of Partially Sterilised Instruments at National Dental Centre in June 2017

The lapse was caused by human error when a staff member failed to complete all sterilisation steps, compounded by supervisors not recognising the error promptly, leading to delayed escalation and potential use of up to 72 packs of affected instruments.
Procedural weaknesses were identified across the instrument issuance, receipt, and unpacking processes, with a lack of vigilance and failure to detect the error before use on patients.
Immediate measures included additional independent verification of sterilisation, clearer work instructions for staff, and plans to strengthen standard operating procedures, documentation, incident escalation, and training.
The healthcare institution committed to sharing lessons learned across clusters to improve patient safety and care standards collectively.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

3 Jul 2017

Average Waiting Time for New Appointments at Specialist Outpatient Clinics at Public Hospitals

The Minister reported that specialist outpatient clinic waiting times for non-urgent subsidized appointments varied across hospitals and specialties.
The median waiting time for new non-urgent appointments fell slightly from 29 days in 2013 to 27 days in early 2017, despite rising patient loads.
Patients with urgent conditions such as suspected cancers or cardiac issues are prioritized for faster appointments.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source