Health

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security about collaboration between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health to address prescription drug abuse, focusing on monitoring systems, rehabilitation services, and inter-Ministry coordination. K. Shanmugam highlighted that the Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority regulate prescription drugs, with strict approval and auditing processes in place. Multi-agency enforcement operations aim to curb illegal activities related to prescription drugs through collaboration between various authorities. The Ministry of Home Affairs does not provide rehabilitation services for prescription drug users, concentrating instead on support for controlled drug abusers.

Dr. Hamid Razak inquired about the workload and professional credentials of Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and Community Intervention Team (COMIT) workers over the past three years, specifically regarding average caseloads, session frequency, and case durations. He also sought information on how the Ministry of Health ensures that workloads remain safe and sustainable amidst rising demand for services and the professional registration status of allied health professionals in these teams. Ong Ye Kung indicated that these questions have been previously addressed in a written answer provided at a Parliament sitting on February 3, 2026.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan questioned the Minister for Manpower about available mental health support services for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) beyond helplines and requested data on their usage over the past five years. Tan See Leng responded that the Ministry of Manpower employs a comprehensive strategy for mental health support, including pre-emptive measures through settling-in programs, medical examinations, and welfare checks by employment agencies. NGOs, such as the Centre for Domestic Employees, provide additional support through interviews, recreational activities, and a 24/7 helpline. He mentioned the Care Sisters initiative, which trains MDWs to offer peer support, while noting that data on MDWs' use of services is not collected but a study indicated many were able to seek help for emotional issues.

Dr. Wan Rizal asked about the percentage of pilgrims who passed the medical screening for the upcoming Haj and how the Government or MUIS would assist those who did not clear it. Assoc Prof Dr. Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim reported that approximately 98% of applicants passed the medical screening. For those who did not clear, the Fatwa Committee offered guidance allowing deferred participation for health reasons, the option to appoint a proxy for Haj (Haj Badal), or lifting the Haj obligation if necessary. MUIS will provide more details on the Haj Badal arrangement in the future.

Andre Low Wu Yang asked about the Ministry's research on the link between lower-income households and diet-related chronic diseases, as well as the adequacy of subsidies for healthier food options for low-income families. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that studies show lower-income households face higher risks of chronic diseases linked to unhealthy diets. He emphasized the importance of universal access to healthcare, education, and housing as key factors influencing health. The Ministry has initiated programs like the Healthier Dining Programme and the Healthier Choice Symbol Programme to improve access to healthier food options and support nutritional security for low-income households.

Pritam Singh asked about the number of cases registered and mediation agreements signed under the Healthcare Mediation Scheme from 2020 to 2025. Ong Ye Kung responded that 50 cases were processed during this period, with 31 cases successfully mediated.

Charlene Chen asked about the assessment of postgraduate training pathways for mental health counsellors and collaboration with various agencies to strengthen training and transition-to-practice pathways. She also inquired about plans for the mental health counsellor workforce over the next five years, including the expansion of supervised practice placements and entry-level roles. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health does not actively track manpower data on counsellors, but noted a significant increase in registered counselling practitioners. Newly trained counsellors receive support for professional development, and guidelines exist for clinical supervision requirements and training frameworks that inform competency development and career trajectories.

Elysa Chen raised concerns about potential policy gaps in the tiered mental health care model for individuals with serious mental health conditions who struggle with community living but are not suitable for admission to the Institute of Mental Health. Ong Ye Kung responded that Singapore has established various facilities, including psychiatric nursing homes and rehabilitation centres, to support individuals with different severity levels of mental health conditions. These community and step-down care models aim to help stabilize patients and facilitate their reintegration into the community.

Pritam Singh asked about the criteria for revising the CPF Additional Withdrawal Limits (AWLs) threshold for Integrated Shield plans. Ong Ye Kung explained that MediShield Life premiums are fully payable by MediSave, while Integrated Shield Plans are optional and have capped MediSave usage due to AWLs. Enhancements to the AWLs will seek to balance increased MediSave use for private insurance with the need to preserve funds for basic healthcare needs in the future.

Hamid Razak raised concerns about health insurance claims disputes, specifically regarding the number of claims filed with MAS and FIDReC, the proportion resolved favorably for policyholders, and trends in disputes over claim rejections. Alvin Tan provided data indicating that an average of 95 health insurance claims were adjudicated annually, with only 4% resolved in favor of policyholders, attributing the issues to policy terms or non-disclosure of medical history. He emphasized that most claims are paid without dispute and that the overall number of cases requiring adjudication has decreased, suggesting improved communication between insurers and consumers. Additionally, MAS expects insurers to adjudicate claims fairly and has mechanisms in place for consumers to challenge unfair rejections through FIDReC.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin raised concerns about the new Safety Assurance for Food Establishments (SAFE) framework, asking how it will improve public health safety and ensure transparency and accessibility for consumers. The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Zaqy Mohamad, explained that the SAFE framework will use a food safety grading system based on establishments' track records and will implement real-time updates through QR codes instead of physical decals to provide up-to-date information. He acknowledged the focus on risk-based inspections, stating that establishments with poor performance will face more frequent inspections and potential downgrades, while support is available for small businesses adapting to the new requirements. Multiple parliamentarians emphasized the importance of maintaining food safety and accountability for establishments, with discussions on proactive measures to prevent lapses and the need for transparent auditing processes.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the relevance of the US shift towards whole foods and limiting processed ingredients to Singapore's dietary guidelines and chronic disease management. Dr. Koh Poh Koon indicated that this question was previously addressed in a written response during a parliamentary sitting on 3 February 2026.

Eileen Chong Pei Shan raised concerns about the protocols for confirming the recent gastroenteritis outbreak at North View Primary School, specifically regarding the timeframe, adherence to these protocols, and the potential for a review to improve outbreak detection and parent notification. Desmond Lee responded that this matter was previously addressed in an oral reply to related Parliamentary Questions on 3 February 2026.

Cai Yinzhou questioned the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment regarding the long-term health impacts of repeated MRT noise exposure on commuters and its inclusion in national health strategies. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency sets noise limits to protect public health, referencing international standards. The Land Transport Authority monitors noise levels in MRT systems and takes measures to keep them below 85 decibels, including implementing noise reduction strategies on curved tracks. Both the National Environment Agency and LTA will continue to review and enhance their noise management policies to safeguard public health.

Hamid Razak raised questions regarding the increase in disputes between patients and private health insurers, their impact on patient access to care, and the safeguards against insurers undermining clinically indicated treatment. Ong Ye Kung responded that the government ensures universal healthcare access through various subsidies and that private insurance is primarily optional. He emphasized the expectation for insurers to process claims fairly and that the Ministry of Health does not track disputes, as they pertain to private contracts. He indicated that policyholders can seek recourse through the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre for unresolved disputes.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about the applicability of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to Singapore, the tracking of caloric intake from ultra-processed foods, and potential updates to the My Healthy Plate guidelines. Ong Ye Kung responded that ultra-processed foods account for less than one-third of total caloric intake in Singapore, which is lower than in Western countries. Current guidelines already discourage consumption of ultra-processed foods based on their unfavorable nutrient profiles. The Ministry will continue to monitor evidence and encourage industry reformulation to improve food product nutrient profiles.

He Ting Ru asked about the performance indicators for the EatWise SG initiative regarding early detection and referral of seniors at risk of malnutrition, as well as current performance levels and future targets. Ong Ye Kung explained that EatWise SG aims to improve diet recommendations for chronic disease prevention and malnutrition management, providing training for healthcare workers. Nutritional assessments for at-risk seniors can be conducted as part of the initiative, but data on outcomes and referrals is still limited due to the early pilot stages. The Ministry of Health plans to monitor effectiveness using indicators like patient satisfaction and adherence to dietary recommendations.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about plans for more public health screenings in community health posts as they expand into neighborhoods. Ong Ye Kung responded that community health posts complement family doctors by providing medication management and lifestyle counseling. The Healthier SG initiative aims to increase health screening participation through family doctors, who can assess health conditions and recommend screenings. Eligible Singapore Citizen enrollees can access fully subsidized screenings at their primary care provider under this program.

Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Health about the number of referrals received by Community Outreach Teams (CREST) and Community Intervention Team (COMIT) workers over the past three years, including the sources of these referrals and how their appropriateness is assessed. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health does not track registration statuses of CREST and COMIT professionals, but minimum qualifications have been established since 2025 to ensure consistency in competency. From 2022 to 2024, CREST supported over 19,000 clients annually, with self-referrals, agency referrals, and step-down referrals making up 46%, 41%, and 13% respectively, while COMIT supported over 14,000 clients with corresponding referral sources of 41% step-down, 36% agency, and 23% self-referrals. The Ministry uses a Practice Guide for the Tiered Care Model to provide referral criteria and closely monitors service capacity and resources for both teams to ensure quality care.

Gabriel Lam questioned the adequacy of Medisave withdrawal limits and MediShield Life coverage for patients undergoing long-term dialysis over the past five years. Ong Ye Kung responded that dialysis patients receive lifelong financial support through government subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave, which are regularly reviewed for affordability. He announced an increase in MediShield Life claim limits for dialysis from $1,100 to $1,750 per month starting in April 2025, alongside enhanced government subsidies since July 2025. Eligible patients can also access charity assistance and other support, ensuring no one is denied care due to financial constraints.