Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

17 Aug 2015

Revision of Fees Charged by Public Healthcare Groups

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Ministry of Health about the frequency, justification, and public communication of fee revisions by public healthcare groups over the past three years, as well as the Ministry's role in ensuring adequate public awareness.
MOH explained that public healthcare institutions periodically review and adjust fees based on operating costs to maintain quality care, with revisions timed differently across institutions and implemented after careful consideration to minimize patient impact.
To keep patients informed, institutions display revised fees on websites and at clinics, highlight changes during financial counselling, and advise patients of updates during visits or admissions soon after revisions.
MOH has enhanced subsidies for low- to middle-income families and Pioneers at specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics, while also allowing patients with financial difficulties to seek assistance from medical social workers for MediFund support.

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17 Aug 2015

Annual Caps on Subsidies for Chronic Disease Management Programme

In 2014, about 10,000 patients (5% of subsidised patients) fully utilised the $400 annual MediSave cap for chronic disease treatment, up from 3% in 2012.
Less than 2% of CHAS members used up to their annual chronic subsidy cap ($320–$480) in 2014, similar to 2012–2013 levels.
The Ministry of Health has enhanced outpatient subsidies and introduced measures like Flexi-MediSave to help reduce the need for patients to exhaust their limits, with regular reviews to ensure affordability.

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17 Aug 2015

Cap for Hospital Bills Based on Class of Ward

K Karthikeyan proposed capping hospital bills based on ward class rather than MediShield Life claim limits to control costs for patients.
Gan Kim Yong explained that hospital bills vary by condition and treatment, and existing measures like subsidies, MediShield, MediSave, and MediFund already ensure most subsidised ward bills are affordable.
The Ministry opposes caps as they may encourage wasteful healthcare consumption, shifting costs to taxpayers and premiums, and prefers using claim limits to manage costs while supporting patients through financial assistance schemes.

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17 Aug 2015

Travel Insurance for Overseas School Trips

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked whether MOE would require all schools organising overseas trips to purchase travel insurance covering medical evacuation and pre-existing conditions.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary stated that MOE already mandates travel insurance with unlimited coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation for supervised schools, but most policies exclude pre-existing conditions; schools instead assess each case and make alternative arrangements if needed.
Dr Chia suggested allowing schools the option to purchase enhanced policies covering pre-existing conditions at an additional premium, while the Senior Parliamentary Secretary noted low demand for such coverage.
Mr Pritam Singh inquired whether the insurance for the Tanjong Katong Primary School tragedy covered medical treatment and if a fund would assist with long-term injuries, and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed coverage for accidents and indicated that assistance is available through existing schemes after insurance caps are reached.

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14 Jul 2015

Ratio of Psychiatrists and Case Managers to National Servicemen

Mrs Lina Chiam asked for the current ratio of psychiatrists and case managers to National Servicemen per 100 servicemen and the number exempted from NS due to mental health disorders since 2005.
Ng Eng Hen responded that about 400 pre-enlistees with severe mental health disorders are exempted from NS annually.
The SAF has over 1,200 mental health professionals including psychiatrists, counsellors, and psychologists, with a psychiatrist ratio more than twice that of the national population.
The SAF also uses resources from the national healthcare system, such as the Institute of Mental Health and psychiatric departments in restructured hospitals.
The SAF Psychiatry Specialist Advisory Board, with senior psychiatrists from public hospitals, will ensure National Servicemen receive good care during NS.

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14 Jul 2015

Medical Insurance and Hospitalisation of Foreign Domestic Workers

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Manpower for data on foreign domestic workers hospitalised over the last three years and how many had bills exceeding $15,000, and what could be done to encourage insurers to offer higher medical benefits.
Lim Swee Say stated that employers are required to bear the medical costs of foreign domestic workers and must purchase a minimum insurance cover of $15,000, with the option to buy higher coverage voluntarily.
He noted that in the past three years, 120 bills (about 2%) for day surgery and inpatient treatment at public hospitals exceeded $15,000, indicating the current minimum cover is sufficient for 98% of such bills.

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14 Jul 2015

Support for Problem Gambling

The Minister reported that between 2012 and 2014, 2,700 problem gambling cases were recorded by the Thye Hua Kwan Problem Gambling Recovery Centre and the National Addictions Management Service (NAMS), an increase from previous years attributed to greater public education and awareness.
Treatment for problem gamblers involves individualized plans combining counselling, therapy, psychiatric services for severe cases, and financial or legal support, with recovering patients encouraged to join long-term support groups.
The Minister emphasized that overcoming problem gambling requires the combined efforts of personal responsibility, government support, family involvement in detection and encouragement, and community help in providing information and resources.

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13 Jul 2015

Funding for Cancer Research in Singapore

The Minister reported that from 2006 to 2012, about $210 million was spent on cancer research in Singapore, with $1.1 million specifically allocated for brain tumour research and over $50 million for non-site specific cancer research.
Additional funding for cancer-related research is provided by other public agencies such as the National Research Foundation, Ministry of Education, and Agency for Science, Technology and Research.
Data from 2010 to 2014 shows an average of 400 new brain tumour cases annually, representing 3.3% of all new cancer cases, with most reported in public healthcare institutions.

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13 Jul 2015

Steps to Create Greater Public Awareness of Heat-related Illnesses with Onset of Hotter and Drier Weather

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Environment Agency, will provide the public with relevant information to prepare for hot weather and prevent heat-induced illnesses.
Common heat-related illnesses under hot and dry conditions include heat rashes, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the more severe heat stroke, with precautions such as staying hydrated and reducing outdoor activities during peak heat.
Hospital admissions for heat-induced illnesses have decreased over the years, indicating that preventive measures are effective, though the risk remains highest among those physically active outdoors.

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13 Jul 2015

Dedicated Ambulance for Jurong Island

Mr K Karthikeyan inquired if the SCDF could dedicate a standby ambulance exclusively for Jurong Island.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean explained that SCDF deploys ambulances based on demand, noting low call volume from Jurong Island (73 calls in 2014).
A dedicated standby ambulance is not feasible, but an ambulance is stationed at Jurong Pier Fire Post from 7 am to 11 pm daily to cover peak industrial hours.
This ambulance also serves nearby areas like Boon Lay, Tuas, and Jurong Industrial Estate to optimize resource use.
SCDF continuously monitors response times and adjusts ambulance deployment as needed to ensure prompt emergency response.

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13 Jul 2015

Waiting Time for Assessment of Children and Youths with Disabilities

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about the current waiting times for assessments of children and youths with disabilities like speech disabilities, dyslexia, and autism in both public and private sectors.
In 2014, the median wait for initial assessments at KKH and NUH for subsidised children under six was 18 to 40 days, with those identified receiving therapy within three to four weeks or enrolment in early intervention within about five months.
For children over six, average waiting times for subsidised patients in 2014 ranged from one week to two months, with MOE psychologists in schools prioritising referrals based on urgency and severity.
MSF is working to expand early intervention services to meet growing demand, and students with disabilities can access support through SPED schools or mainstream schools.

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13 Jul 2015

Long Working Hours for Housemen on Night Shifts

Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that house officers are now under the Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) framework, which caps work at 80 hours per week and limits continuous duty to 24 hours with additional handover time.
The framework mandates at least four night calls per month, 10 hours of rest between shifts, and weekly off days, with hospitals generally complying and some implementing shift systems like half call and night float.
These shift systems and a steady increase in house officers have helped reduce long working hours and night call frequency, though night calls remain for training under supervision.

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13 Jul 2015

Increasing Annual Cap for Caregiver Training Grant

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar asked if the Ministry of Health would raise the annual cap for the Caregiver Training Grant.
The Ministry of Health said there are no plans to increase the cap, as the current $200 limit is adequate, with 80% of approved courses costing $200 or less.
Over the last four years, the average annual grant utilization was about $160 per caregiver, indicating the cap is sufficient.
The grant now benefits over 6,000 caregivers annually, and more than 26,000 caregivers have used it to date.
The Ministry will continue to monitor the grant's utilization and adequacy but has no immediate plans to change the cap.

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13 Jul 2015

Human Biomedical Research Bill

The Human Biomedical Research Bill was introduced to regulate and prohibit certain types of human biomedical research and tissue banking activities, including banning commercial trading of human tissue.
The Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, presented the bill, which was read for the first time and scheduled for a second reading at the next parliamentary sitting.
The bill aims to establish a legal framework for conducting ethical human biomedical research while ensuring public safety and compliance with related amendments to other Acts.

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13 Jul 2015

Nationwide Emergency Preparedness Exercise to Deal with MERS

Assoc Prof Randolph Tan and Lim Biow Chuan asked about nationwide emergency exercises and health screening for travelers from MERS-affected countries, citing concerns from South Korea's outbreak.
The Health Minister outlined multi-pronged measures, including public education, border advisories, temperature screening for direct flights, and contingency plans for isolation and contact tracing, with exercises conducted at Changi Airport.
The Minister acknowledged that border screening is not foolproof due to MERS's incubation period and emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance and healthcare readiness, including collaboration with MOE for school preparedness.
Assoc Prof Randolph Tan pressed for broader emergency exercises, possibly involving schools, to ensure public readiness, while Lim Biow Chuan questioned the cost-effectiveness of expanding temperature screening at all checkpoints.
The Minister reiterated that infectious diseases are a constant threat due to global connectivity, requiring continuous adaptation, public education, and inter-ministerial coordination to manage future outbreaks.

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13 Jul 2015

Statement of Account for Subsidies under Community Health Assist Scheme

Baey Yam Keng raised a concern about informing CHAS and Pioneer Generation cardholders of their subsidy usage and remaining balance to prevent fraudulent claims, noting that some members may find it difficult to access information online or via hotline.
The Minister of State for Health responded that patients can currently check subsidy balances via the CHAS website or hotline, and emphasized joint accountability among patients, clinics, and the ministry to prevent abuse, with ongoing improvements to information access and audits.
Mr Baey suggested providing yearly consolidated subsidy statements for easier tracking, while Dr Chia Shi-Lu proposed requiring clinics to include remaining balance information on itemized bills to enhance transparency.
The Minister of State acknowledged these suggestions and indicated that the ministry is considering mandatory itemized receipts and other measures to improve price transparency and accountability as part of a review of relevant regulations.

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11 May 2015

Rehabilitation of Youth Offenders

The Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore Prisons Service, and Institute of Mental Health collaborate to support youth offenders with mental health issues based on individual risk and needs.
Youth on probation or in juvenile rehabilitation centres receive specialized treatment, therapeutic programs, and are encouraged to engage in education, vocational training, and enrichment activities.
Youths in prison with mental health issues are regularly reviewed by medical teams and referred to IMH for specialized care when necessary.
Government agencies work with families, schools, and community organizations to monitor progress and strengthen social support to prevent relapses.
Support is tailored to the youth’s background, circumstances, risk of re-offending, and mental well-being.

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11 May 2015

Promotion of Greater Awareness Among Parents and Early Childhood Teachers for Special Needs Students

The Ministry of Education works with the Early Childhood Development Agency and the Ministry of Social and Family Development to equip preschool educators with skills to identify special needs early and raise awareness of intervention strategies, while also involving the Ministry of Health and voluntary welfare organisations to support the psychological and socio-emotional well-being of children and parents.
Support programmes such as the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children and Development Support Programme are available for preschool children with special needs, and in mainstream schools, trained personnel like Allied Educators and school counsellors provide case consultation and intervention, with collaboration from the Institute of Mental Health for mental health services.
Parent support groups exist in mainstream and special education schools, and resources are provided through the Parents-in-Education website, with the Ministry also engaging voluntary welfare organisations to offer post-diagnosis educational guidance and emotional support for parents.

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11 May 2015

Review of Pricing Policy at Government and Restructured Hospital Pharmacies

Seah Kian Peng asked whether the pricing policy at Government and restructured hospital pharmacies will be reviewed to widen the price gap with retail pharmacies and make them more affordable.
The Ministry of Health explained that public hospitals procure drugs in bulk to achieve economies of scale, with savings reflected in lower pharmacy prices for patients.
Subsidised patients receive significant government subsidies on drugs listed under the Standard Drug List and Medication Assistance Fund, including enhanced subsidies of 75% for lower- to middle-income patients since 2015.
Pioneers receive an additional 50% off their subsidised drugs, which has significantly lowered costs in public healthcare institutions and widened the price gap with private retail pharmacies.
The Ministry will continue to review policies to ensure healthcare affordability, and needy patients can apply to MediFund for further financial assistance.

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11 May 2015

Adequacy of Freelancers and Self-employed Individuals' CPF Savings

Ang Hin Kee proposed a government CPF top-up scheme for freelancers and self-employed individuals similar to the Temporary Employment Credit, and asked whether current CPF savings are adequate for their retirement and medical needs and what measures exist to encourage regular contributions.
Lim Swee Say responded that the Workfare Income Supplement already tops up MediSave accounts for low-income self-employed persons, and tax relief incentives exist for voluntary CPF contributions, while noting their median MediSave balances remain lower than employees'.
The CPF Board uses outreach, instalment options, and industry partnerships to encourage MediSave contributions, with recent increases in contribution rates and higher interest for older members to help meet healthcare needs.
The government provides substantial MediShield Life premium subsidies and additional support for those in financial need, but self-employed individuals are not required to contribute to retirement accounts and must take personal responsibility for retirement planning.

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