Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

6 Feb 2017

Impact of Changes to Smoking and Cigarette Sales Laws on Smoking and Smokers

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Health if recent changes to smoking and cigarette sales laws have affected smoking statistics, especially among women and teenagers.
Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that smoking among secondary students decreased from 8.6% in 2006 to 6.2% in 2009, remained stable in 2012, and fell to 2% in 2015, though a methodology change requires further study.
National health surveys show women’s smoking rose from 3.7% in 2007 to 4.2% in 2010, then slightly dropped to 3.8% in 2013.
Smoking prevalence is influenced by socio-demographic factors and various tobacco control measures, and the Ministry will continue monitoring and strengthening its tobacco control programme.

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6 Feb 2017

Extent of Codeine Substance Abuse in Singapore

Codeine is regulated by the Health Sciences Authority under the Health Products Act, with limits on supply and penalties for violations including fines and imprisonment.
The Singapore Medical Council oversees doctors' conduct and can impose disciplinary actions for inappropriate prescribing of codeine-containing medicines.
Authorities collaborate to curb illegal diversion of codeine preparations, and public education efforts highlight the harms of codeine abuse.
From 2012 to 2016, 37 offenders were convicted and five doctors disciplined for codeine-related violations.

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6 Feb 2017

Additional Nursing Home Beds from 2021 to 2030

Tin Pei Ling asked the Ministry of Health how many nursing home beds would be added from 2021 to 2030 and how much of the expected demand would be fulfilled by 2020 and 2030.
The Ministry of Health outlined plans to increase nursing home capacity from 9,400 beds in 2011 to 12,800 currently, aiming for 17,000 beds by 2020 to meet projected demand.
The Ministry noted that capacity beyond 2020 will be reviewed and adjusted based on changing demand patterns, while also focusing on upstream health initiatives and home and community care services.

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6 Feb 2017

Total Subsidised and Private Nursing Home Capacity

The Ministry of Health reported about 12,800 nursing home beds as of end-December 2016, with 11,000 being subsidised.
Between 2012 and 2016, an average of 3,400 applications for subsidised nursing home beds were received annually, with a typical wait time of about four months.
Very few nursing home residents are ambulant, as placements are prioritised for those needing significant daily care support; many ambulant seniors are instead referred to home or community-based care services.

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6 Feb 2017

AED Kits on Trains and Buses

Melvin Yong asked whether there are plans to equip all train stations and bus interchanges with easily accessible AED kits, and whether the Land Transport Authority will work with operators to equip all public buses, trains, and taxis with AED kits for emergencies.
Khaw Boon Wan confirmed that all bus interchanges and MRT stations already have at least one AED near the Passenger Service Office, with staff trained to use them.
He noted that AEDs are not on all public buses, trains, and taxis due to practicality concerns, but personnel are trained to respond by seeking immediate medical help, such as bus captains calling for ambulances and station staff using nearby AEDs.

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6 Feb 2017

ElderShield Premiums Paid Out Since 2002

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health about the total ElderShield premiums collected, surpluses, rebates returned, and the profit margin and payout ratio of insurers since 2002.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong reported that from 2002 to end-2015, about $2.6 billion in premiums were collected, with around $100 million paid out in claims and $130 million in premium rebates returned to policyholders.
The Minister explained that ElderShield collects premiums from ages 40 to 65 but provides lifetime coverage, so it is prudent to have premiums exceed early claims to fund future payouts as the policyholder base ages.
He noted that the proportion of claims over premiums collected has been increasing and is expected to continue rising as policyholders get older, addressing misconceptions about high premiums or excessive insurer profits.

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6 Feb 2017

Tracking of Fogging Operations in Private Condominiums and Landed Estates

Melvin Yong asked whether the National Environment Agency (NEA) tracks the annual number of fogging operations in private condominiums and landed estates, and if it would consider revising guidelines to limit such operations per location each year.
Masagos Zulkifli explained that source reduction is the primary method for mosquito control, with fogging used as a complementary measure in urgent situations like active dengue outbreaks, and that NEA guides pest control operators and requires site assessments and notifications.
NEA does not impose a cap on fogging operations per location, as the frequency is determined by dynamic ground conditions such as mosquito population levels, and excessive fogging would prompt engagement with premises managers and operators to adjust practices.
The minister emphasized the importance of public participation, such as the “5-step Mozzie Wipeout,” to eliminate breeding habitats and support mosquito control efforts alongside fogging.

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6 Feb 2017

Completion of New Bukit Panjang Polyclinic

Dr Teo Ho Pin requested an update on the construction progress, completion timeline, and services of the new Bukit Panjang Polyclinic.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong confirmed the polyclinic is part of a larger facility with a nursing home and senior care centre, with design ongoing and construction starting early 2018.
The polyclinic is targeted to begin operations by the end of 2020, offering services like acute and chronic care, women's and children's health, radiology, lab, pharmacy, and planned dental services.

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6 Feb 2017

Periodic Assessment for Service Personnel who Handle Weapons

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan inquired whether service personnel handling weapons and live ammunition undergo periodic reassessments of their emotional and psychological stability.
MINDEF/SAF affirmed that comprehensive pre-enlistment screenings and ongoing mental health checks are in place, with personnel deemed unsuitable for weapon handling reassigned to other duties.
The ministry highlighted measures such as a 24-hour counselling hotline, regular commander interviews, and specialist monitoring to support servicemen’s mental well-being while ensuring safety.

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6 Feb 2017

Cost of Reorganising Healthcare Clusters into Three Groups

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked the Minister for Health about the cost of reorganising healthcare clusters, the rationale for choosing three clusters, and concrete patient benefits like shorter waiting times.
Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that reorganising into three integrated clusters is necessary to better meet future healthcare needs, such as an ageing population and chronic diseases, and to support key shifts like moving care to the community.
The Minister stated that the reorganisation will enable more comprehensive, person-centred care across regions, enhance primary care, and improve economies of scale, staff development, and collaboration with partners.
He noted that no significant additional cost is expected as the infrastructure and services are already budgeted for under existing healthcare plans.
The clusters are designed to deliver more appropriate care closer to patients, though specific benefits like waiting times were not detailed in the response.

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6 Feb 2017

Alternative Care Arrangements when Childcare Centres Close Due to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

The Minister outlined that HFMD is endemic in Singapore with strict preventive guidelines for preschools, and while closures occur to break transmission, they are rare with no severe local complications reported.
Support for parents includes enhanced childcare leave provisions, flexible work arrangements encouraged by employers, and resources like the Work-Life Grant, though the Minister noted ECDA does not plan to provide home care services for HFMD cases.
The debate highlighted parental challenges when centres close, with suggestions for informal care pooling among families and reliance on existing leave and flexibility, but no new direct government intervention for alternative childcare during outbreaks.

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10 Jan 2017

Age Limit for Clinical Trial for Pre-implantation Genetic Screening

Louis Ng questioned the age limit of 35 for participation in the PGS clinical trial, asking for reasons and suggesting lower or case-by-case exceptions.
Gan Kim Yong explained that the pilot allows women of any age with recurrent implantation failures or pregnancy losses, but sets a minimum age of 35 for others due to higher chromosomal abnormality risks in older mothers.
The Ministry noted that overseas guidelines from the UK and Canada also recommend PGS for women aged 35 and above, supporting the current criteria.

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10 Jan 2017

The Kwong-Wai-Shiu Free Hospital (Transfer of Undertaking and Dissolution) Bill

The Bill aims to modernize Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital's corporate structure by repealing its outdated 1910 Ordinance and transferring its operations to a new Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) to enhance governance, flexibility, and service expansion.
The transition will ensure continuity for patients, staff, and services, with the new entity retaining all assets, liabilities, and funding from the Ministry of Health, and the hospital will continue to serve all Singaporeans regardless of race or religion.
Parliament members broadly support the Bill, acknowledging the hospital's historical role and its plans to expand capacity, such as building Singapore's largest nursing home and active ageing hubs, to address the needs of an ageing population.

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10 Jan 2017

Enhancing Skills and Capabilities of Nurses and Nursing Aides

The Ministry of Health agrees on the need to up-skill enrolled nurses and nursing aides, especially in aging Singapore, and supports their training through public healthcare institutions and specialized courses, with increased funding to help more enrolled nurses become registered nurses.
While nursing aides are currently restricted from administering high-risk treatments like insulin injections, MOH will work with nursing homes to review allowing them to perform such tasks after appropriate training, provided safety is maintained.
MOH benchmarks training for nursing home staff against best practices from countries like Japan and is reviewing curricula to expand roles and continuous training for both nurses and support staff.

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10 Jan 2017

Medical House Calls on Home-bound Patients at Subsidised Rates

Dr. Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about home-bound elderly patients needing subsidised medical assessments and specialist referrals, which was addressed by Dr. Amy Khor who outlined that the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) provides home assessments and can arrange for home medical visits and transport services.
The government confirmed that medical and mobility assessments are shared among agencies like AIC and SG Enable to reduce redundant evaluations, though some schemes may still require additional assessments due to differing eligibility criteria.
Both speakers emphasized the ongoing efforts to monitor community care needs and ensure accessible services for home-bound patients, with AIC reporting over 1,300 cases handled by its Community Care Assessment Team by the end of 2016.

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10 Jan 2017

Number and Profile of Persons who Attempted Suicide

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked for data on suicide deaths and attempts over the past five years, focusing on seniors aged 60 and above, their living arrangements, and existing support programmes, with Minister Tan Chuan-Jin reporting an average of 415 suicide deaths annually (116 among seniors) but no detailed breakdown on living situations.
The Minister outlined a holistic approach involving public education, proactive outreach through Senior Activity Centres and befriending programmes, crisis response via hotlines, and emphasised the critical role of families and communities in prevention.
MPs raised concerns about social isolation among the elderly, suggesting enhanced befriending initiatives and collaboration with Pioneer Generation Ambassadors, with the Minister agreeing on the need for community-driven efforts and better coordination.
Language accessibility in outreach programmes was highlighted, with the Minister affirming efforts to use multiple languages and dialects, including collaborations with cultural platforms to effectively reach diverse elderly populations.

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10 Jan 2017

Government's Response to State Coroner's Suggestions to Mitigate Psychological Effects for Young People under Police Investigation

The Ministry of Education, as part of a multi-agency committee, will implement enhanced support measures for young persons under police investigation, including school accompaniment and an Appropriate Adult Scheme, by February 2017.
A school personnel familiar to the young person, such as a teacher or year head, will accompany them to the police station and hand over to a neutral Appropriate Adult for emotional support during interviews.
The Minister clarified that the Appropriate Adult is preferred over a school counsellor for neutrality, and school staff will use judgement on their presence during the interview process.
Teachers and school counsellors have basic training in mental health awareness to monitor distress, with counsellors receiving more in-depth training.
The measures aim to provide holistic support through collaboration between schools, government agencies, parents, and the community to protect the well-being of young persons under investigation.

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9 Jan 2017

Impact of Managed Care Companies and Third-party Administrator Companies on Healthcare Costs

Ang Wei Neng queried whether there is empirical data showing that managed care and third-party administrator companies significantly drive up healthcare costs, and what the main factors are for rising costs in both the private and public healthcare sectors.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong noted that while these companies provide administrative and claims support, some have charging practices—such as referral fees up to 25% of doctors' fees—that may compromise patient care and contribute to higher costs, prompting regulatory guidance from the Singapore Medical Council.
The minister emphasized that an ageing population, increasing chronic diseases, and the need to shift care beyond hospitals are key drivers of rising healthcare costs, alongside efforts to improve transparency, productivity, and health promotion.
The Ministry of Health and professional bodies are working to align financial incentives with patient interests, discourage over-servicing, and ensure a sustainable healthcare system.

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9 Jan 2017

Profile and Allocation of Additional 30,000 Healthcare Workers Required by 2020

The Ministry of Health projected that 30,000 additional healthcare workers would be needed by 2020, with over 10,000 for the aged care sector and about half for professional, managerial, and technical roles, and it has been growing the local core through expanded intakes at medical and nursing schools and allied health degree programmes.
Healthcare Professional Conversion Programmes and mid-career recruitment initiatives have trained over 1,000 candidates, and SkillsFuture initiatives like the Healthcare Study Awards and an Earn and Learn Programme support skills acquisition and professional development.
Efforts to retain workers include strengthened career pathways, re-employment up to age 67, job redesign with assistive technology, and flexible work arrangements, while productivity measures aim to manage manpower expenditure and maintain healthcare affordability.

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9 Jan 2017

Subsidies Received by CHAS Cardholders for Dental Services

Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked about the average dental subsidies received by CHAS cardholders, particularly seniors, and whether these subsidies are adequate and should be increased.
The Minister for Health, Gan Kim Yong, stated that dental subsidies under CHAS vary by cardholder status and procedure, with examples provided for dentures and higher subsidies for Pioneer Generation cardholders.
In 2015, CHAS cardholders who made claims received an average of $320 in dental subsidies, with seniors aged 60 and above receiving about $370.
The Ministry of Health noted that existing subsidies cover close to 85% of the bill for most visits, including for seniors, and will continue to review CHAS to ensure accessible and affordable dental care.

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