Health

Cai Yinzhou asked about the inclusion of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners in the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), regarding the timeline and support for TCM clinics. Ong Ye Kung responded that TCM is not a licensable healthcare service under current legislation, and TCM data is not eligible for inclusion in the NEHR as per the Health Information Bill.

Diana Pang Li Yen asked about the criteria for locating Active Ageing Centres (AAC) in new BTO estates like Hougang Olive and Bartley Beacon, as well as how demand and accessibility are assessed. Ong Ye Kung explained that the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Integrated Care consider factors such as the projected number of seniors, local service needs, and accessibility when planning AACs. The Agency for Integrated Care collaborates with stakeholders to communicate the operational timeline for upcoming AACs to residents.

A bill was introduced to amend the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 to enhance regulations on tobacco products, vaporisers, and imitation tobacco products. The amendments also aim to control certain psychoactive substances, establish treatment and rehabilitation for affected persons, and make necessary provisions when substances transition away from being controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. The bill was presented by Dr. Koh Poh Koon on behalf of the Ministers of Health and Social Policies, and it will be read a second time after the budget discussion for FY2026/27. The parliamentary sitting was briefly suspended and later resumed.

David Hoe raised questions about the availability of video consultations for non-emergency acute conditions at polyclinics, inquiring about expansion plans for those not currently offering these services. Dr. Koh Poh Koon explained that video consultations are primarily for follow-up care after in-person visits, with no immediate plans for widespread implementation across all polyclinics. He clarified that polyclinics are focusing resources on chronic disease management instead, and outlined the rationale behind the age limit for teleconsultations. The Ministry of Health is monitoring pilot projects and aims to ensure patient safety while allowing healthcare providers flexibility in their judgment.

Hamid Razak asked if the tiered-care mental health model includes individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism who have co-occurring mental health needs, and what support is available for them. Dr. Koh Poh Koon confirmed that the model applies to such individuals, providing access to free or subsidized community services and specialist psychiatric care. Razak expressed appreciation for community teams and inquired about training for frontline staff to distinguish neurodevelopmental issues from other mental health disorders. Koh acknowledged the need for collaboration with social partners to enhance staff capabilities and emphasized that experienced counselors can recognize co-occurring conditions and refer clients for specialized care when necessary.

Yip Hon Weng raised concerns regarding problematic gaming and its intersection with mental health, education, and youth development, inquiring about the Ministry of Education's (MOE) framework for cross-ministry coordination and preventive policies. Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi explained that MOE collaborates with multiple government agencies to promote mental well-being and healthy digital engagement, including Cyber Wellness lessons in schools that teach students responsible technology use and support for those with gaming concerns. MOE partners with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Health Promotion Board to provide resources for parents to manage children's gaming habits and has developed a guide for positive technology use. Yip sought clarification on MOE's leadership role in managing these issues and whether the government engages with gaming platforms regarding their design features, to which Dr. Syed indicated a multi-agency approach is taken, and current engagement with gaming platforms is not direct but regulated through existing legislative measures.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the progress on local research for Nipah virus diagnostics and vaccines, the status of Biosafety Level 4 laboratories in Singapore, and funding support for research in the absence of a commercial market. Senior Minister of State for Health Dr. Koh Poh Koon explained that ongoing local research on Nipah virus is part of the PREPARE programme and does not involve live virus. Singapore currently lacks a BSL 4 laboratory but is upgrading existing facilities. Giam inquired about timelines for a diagnostic kit, considerations for expedited vaccine authorization, and regional cooperation on Nipah virus data sharing. Dr. Koh indicated no definite timelines for research outcomes and expressed caution regarding vaccine procurement, emphasizing that the current Nipah virus situation is localized and not a widespread concern.

Joan Pereira raised concerns about the Nipah virus, asking the Minister for Health if health declarations and screenings will be implemented for travelers from high-risk areas, and if healthcare advisories will be provided. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that measures have been initiated, including updated health declarations and the monitoring of travelers from affected regions. Pereira sought clarification on whether the SG Arrival Card will include recent travel history to high-risk areas, which Koh confirmed, stating that information will be shared with health authorities for monitoring. Gerald Giam inquired about the progress of local research on Nipah virus diagnostics and vaccines, and the development of biosafety laboratories in Singapore.

Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Education about the number of gastroenteritis cases in schools attributed to food from central kitchen caterers, canteens, and general food outlets from January 2022 to December 2025. Desmond Lee stated that this question will be addressed in a future oral reply by the Ministry of Education on 3 February 2026. Details are expected to be provided in the Official Report regarding measures to enhance food safety following recent gastroenteritis cases in primary schools.

Charlene Chen questioned the Minister for Education about extending the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Training Allowance to support accredited postgraduate training in clinical mental health counselling, given the shortage of trained professionals. Desmond Lee responded that the allowance currently supports training up to the undergraduate level and there are no plans to extend it to postgraduate programmes at this time. He mentioned that mid-career Singaporeans can use their SkillsFuture Credit of $4,000 to offset costs for postgraduate programmes and can also apply for sectoral sponsorships and study awards.

Valerie Lee raised questions regarding factors influencing the selection of estates for Project Wolbachia, household coverage in private residential estates, and plans for expansion into Changi Division. Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that site selection considers the area's dengue risk, including historical prevalence and mosquito population. Currently, Project Wolbachia includes 35% of households in private landed estates, with plans to expand to HDB estates in Pasir Ris, affecting parts of Changi Division, starting March 2026. Further announcements for additional expansion sites will be made by the NEA when available.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan inquired about the number of women who have undergone elective egg freezing since its introduction in July 2023, the age distribution of these women, and the average out-of-pocket cost for the procedure at public hospitals. Ong Ye Kung reported that over 800 women have undergone elective egg freezing as of December 2025, with 57% aged 35 and above, 39% between 30 to 34 years, and 4% under 30 years. The average cost for one cycle of elective egg freezing at public hospitals is approximately $10,000.

Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked if the government studied the adoption of Community Health Assist Scheme Blue and Orange cards by retailers outside healthcare for discounts. Ong Ye Kung responded that some retailers offer benefits using these cards as private initiatives, which are not related to government-funded healthcare subsidies. Consequently, the Ministry does not collect data on these practices.

He Ting Ru requested updates on the development of dengue vaccines and support for recovered patients considering the Dengvaxia vaccine. Ong Ye Kung stated that Dengvaxia is the only licensed vaccine in Singapore, but its supplier has discontinued it due to low global demand, limiting access to those who started the three-dose series. Two other dengue vaccines are approved elsewhere but are not available in Singapore due to regulatory issues. Additionally, a new vaccine candidate, V181, is in Phase 3 clinical trials, and the Ministry of Health will continue to monitor vaccine developments as part of dengue control efforts.

Pritam Singh requested data on the percentage of day-surgery bills fully covered by Medisave from 2020 to 2025, including cash amounts needed for uncovered bills. Ong Ye Kung reported that over 80% of Singapore Citizens did not pay cash out-of-pocket for subsidized day surgeries after utilizing MediSave and MediShield Life. Most individuals who did incur cash expenses paid less than $500. MediFund is available to assist those struggling with healthcare costs beyond subsidies, ensuring access to necessary healthcare services.

Choo Pei Ling raised questions about the PREDICT Programme, specifically regarding the number of couples screened, the distribution of screenings before and during pregnancy, outreach methods, potential expansion to all obstetric clinics, and timelines for such expansion. Ong Ye Kung responded that the PREDICT programme is a pilot initiative started in 2024 at KK Women's and Children's Hospital to screen for specific genetic conditions not covered by existing tests, with 674 couples screened by the end of 2025 during pre-conception. The Ministry of Health will evaluate the pilot's effectiveness to decide on mainstreaming the PREDICT tests.

Hamid Razak raised questions regarding the current subsidization of injectable therapies for knee osteoarthritis, specifically asking about their alignment with international guidelines and the criteria for other treatments to be approved for subsidy. Ong Ye Kung responded that only intra-articular corticosteroid injections are subsidized for their proven clinical effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness, while hyaluronic acid and other regenerative injections are not subsidized due to insufficient evidence of their effectiveness. The Ministry of Health will keep evaluating new evidence from local and international studies.

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised questions regarding the number of frivolous and vexatious complaints against healthcare workers over the past three years, the investigation of anonymous complainants, and the possibility of enhanced enforcement against repeat complainants. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health has systems to handle complaints, issuing polite replies for frivolous ones and investigating serious concerns, including anonymous submissions. The ministry does not track the number of frivolous complaints specifically, but noted that 32% of complaints to Professional Boards were dismissed as unsubstantiated in the last three years. Measures exist to deter frivolous complaints, including requiring statutory declarations from complainants.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Ministry of Health tracks gross premiums and claims for long-term accident and health insurance, specifically for private hospital Integrated Shield Plans and public hospital Class A or B1 plans. Ong Ye Kung responded that insurers do submit this data annually, broken down by ward class and plan type, showing higher loss ratios for private hospitals compared to public non-subsidised wards. However, he noted that only aggregate figures are made available to the public.

Pritam Singh asked about the usage of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Housing and Development Board (HDB) towns and the possibility of expanding AED availability to private developments. K Shanmugam reported that over 5,000 AEDs have been installed in HDB blocks under the Save-a-Life initiative, with more than 4,500 uses recorded since deployment. The Singapore Civil Defence Force collaborates with community partners to install AEDs in private developments and maintains a registry of accessible AEDs. Efforts are ongoing to engage businesses in installing and registering AEDs.