Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

8 Jul 2014

MediShield Life

The speaker congratulates the MediShield Life Review Committee for its report and highlights the universal lifetime coverage, increased claim limits, and lower co-insurance rates as key improvements for better healthcare protection.
The debate emphasizes that MediShield Life is part of a broader multi-tiered healthcare framework, including subsidies, Medisave, and Medifund, and stresses the need to control medical inflation and improve accessibility.
Concerns are raised about the affordability of premiums for some groups and the need for clear communication to ensure Singaporeans understand the new scheme and its benefits.
The speaker calls for better integration of employer medical benefits, standardization of insurance plans, and consideration of social care aspects to enhance the overall healthcare system.
The conclusion supports endorsing the MLRC recommendations while urging continuous review and adaptation of MediShield Life to meet evolving needs.

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8 Jul 2014

MediShield Life

The government has accepted all recommendations from the MediShield Life Review Committee to provide universal, lifelong coverage against large medical bills, with the scheme set to be implemented by the end of 2015.
Premiums will increase due to enhanced benefits and coverage for pre-existing conditions, but the government will provide subsidies and financial assistance to ensure affordability, with support lasting up to four years for all citizens and permanent subsidies for lower- to middle-income households.
The scheme aims to strengthen social safety nets and collective responsibility while managing healthcare costs through measures like co-payments and promoting healthy lifestyles to ensure long-term sustainability.

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7 Jul 2014

Pre-employment Grants Awarded to Medical and Dental Students

Since its inception in July 2010 and extension to dental students in February 2012, $18 million in pre-employment grants (PEGs) has been reimbursed to medical and dental students.
A total of 438 medical students and 11 dental students have been offered PEGs as of the end of FY2013.
Of the medical students offered, 416 accepted, 3 declined, and 19 are still considering; among dental students, 9 accepted and 2 declined.
The PEG scheme was introduced by public healthcare clusters to attract more Singaporean medical and dental students from overseas to supplement the local pipeline of healthcare professionals.

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7 Jul 2014

Claims from Medisave for Overseas Elective Treatments

From 2010 to 2013, about 580 Medisave claims were made for overseas elective treatments, totaling $1.5 million.
The majority of these claims were for delivery-related treatments, with an average hospital stay of about two days.
The policy allowing Medisave use for overseas elective treatments was introduced in March 2010 to provide Singaporeans with more choices for elective care.

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7 Jul 2014

Interim Caregiver Service Update

The Interim Caregiver Service has benefited close to 700 patients since its pilot in March 2013, with over 60% receiving care on the day of discharge or the next day.
About 60 patients turned down the service, primarily because families decided to provide care themselves or made arrangements earlier than expected.
The number of interim caregivers is expected to grow to nearly 100 by July 2014, enabling support for up to 130 patients per month as the service expands to more hospitals.

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7 Jul 2014

Statistics on Hip Replacement and Knee Cap Surgery at Government Hospitals

Between 2004 and 2013, 9,174 people above 50 and 526 people aged 30 to 49 underwent hip replacement at public hospitals, while 18,289 people above 50 and 426 people aged 30 to 49 underwent knee replacement.
Common causes for these surgeries are hip fractures due to osteoporosis in the elderly and post-menopausal women, and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee linked to advanced age, overweight, or previous joint injuries.
MOH and HPB run programmes like Lose to Win, STEP, and OPTIMAL to promote weight loss, fall prevention, and active living to reduce the risk of bone and cartilage conditions.
Authorities will continue partnering communities to educate the population on fall prevention and healthy living for preventive measures.

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7 Jul 2014

Operation of Community Hospitals by Cooperatives

Sitoh Yih Pin inquired whether cooperatives like NTUC could be considered to operate community hospitals.
Gan Kim Yong emphasized the role of community hospitals in sub-acute and rehabilitation care and highlighted upcoming expansions.
MOH is open to new operators including cooperatives, social enterprises, and private operators if they meet clinical, administrative, and sustainability criteria.
Eligibility requires the ability to provide integrated care and collaborate with other health and eldercare providers.
The Ministry is enhancing capabilities in community hospitals to address the needs of an ageing population.

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7 Jul 2014

Frequency of Mosquito-breeding Inspections at Unoccupied Private Properties

NEA conducts daily vector control operations in active dengue clusters and may enter unoccupied premises after failed contact attempts and police notification, regardless of property ownership.
Outside dengue clusters, inspections of unoccupied private properties are scheduled based on risk factors like nearby cases, feedback, or poor maintenance.
Owners are urged to eliminate stagnant water and cooperate with NEA for vector inspections to protect public health.

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7 Jul 2014

Factors Considered in Means-testing for Community Health Assist Scheme

Mrs Lina Chiam asked if the means-testing for the Community Health Assist Scheme should consider other assets like bank deposits.
The Ministry of Health currently uses per capita monthly household income and Annual Value of residence to assess eligibility, aiming to balance precision with simplicity.
The Ministry noted that adding asset criteria could make the application process more onerous but will continue to regularly review the means-testing criteria.

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7 Jul 2014

Prices of Medicines Sold at Public Hospitals

Foo Mee Har questioned if medicines in Singapore’s public hospitals are more expensive than in Malaysia and Thailand and how to narrow the price gap for affordability.
The Ministry of Health explained that higher prices stem from factors like distribution costs, exchange rates, and supplier pricing, but bulk tendering by public institutions helps reduce costs.
Subsidies are available through the Standard Drugs List and Medication Assistance Fund, with plans to increase subsidies for lower- to middle-income patients and pioneers from 2015.
The government regularly reviews drug affordability and provides additional financial aid through Medifund for needy patients.

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29 May 2014

MediShield for Secondary Depression

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked if MediShield can cover secondary depression, which is not a primary mental disorder but arises from other medical conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Dr Amy Khor explained that since March 2013, MediShield covers inpatient treatment for newly diagnosed psychiatric conditions, including secondary depression, but pre-existing conditions before that date are not covered until MediShield Life is implemented.
The government offers subsidies, Medisave usage, and Medifund assistance for psychiatric care, and is reviewing the specific case raised to provide support while awaiting MediShield Life details.

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29 May 2014

Foreign Healthcare Staff in Public Hospitals and Polyclinics

The Ministry of Health emphasized that public healthcare institutions use language courses, pictorial guides, and team rostering with a mix of local and foreign staff to minimize miscommunication with non-English speaking patients.
Over 2,000 foreign nurses have received language training through a ministry-supported fund, and about 35% of recently hired foreign staff have attended such programs, though the Ministry did not provide data on time spent or workload impact from interpretation duties.
The Parliamentary Secretary stated that the 30-hour language courses, combined with on-the-job learning and teamwork, are sufficient for communication, and that full-time interpreters are only employed in a few institutions where deemed necessary.

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29 May 2014

Screening for Mental Health Disorders among National Service Recruits

The Ministry of Defence screens all National Service recruits for mental health disorders before enlistment, with about 500 exempted annually due to severe conditions, and monitors enlisted servicemen with mental health issues through confidential medical oversight and potential redeployment.
The SAF provides support including 24-hour counselling hotlines, mental health awareness programmes for cadets, and access to psychiatrists at the Psychological Care Centre, while ensuring non-discrimination for those able to serve safely.
Decisions on fitness, deployment, or exemption are made by a Specialist Medical Board comprising psychiatrists from both private and public sectors, and subsidies for psychiatric treatment follow general healthcare frameworks without specific schemes for servicemen.

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27 May 2014

Debate on President's Address

Janil Puthucheary warned against politicizing healthcare, advocating for a collaborative, long-term approach over short-term electoral gains, while Gerald Giam argued for a higher loss ratio in MediShield Life, leading to a debate on financial prudence versus affordability.
Minister Gan Kim Yong outlined enhancements to MediShield Life, including removing lifetime claim limits and increasing coverage, with subsidies to ensure premiums are affordable for all, including the Pioneer Generation.
Yee Jenn Jong highlighted education's role in social mobility, citing data showing class stratification in school admissions and university entry, and proposed measures like standardized Child Development Account top-ups and smaller class sizes.
Denise Phua questioned the relevance of the Elected Presidency and called for reforms in the public sector to adapt to a more dynamic political landscape, emphasizing the need for updated leadership selection and communication strategies.
Senior Minister of State Amy Khor addressed ageing challenges, focusing on healthcare affordability, retirement adequacy, and employment for older PMEs, while advocating for a mindset shift to view ageing as an opportunity rather than a burden.

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27 May 2014

Debate on President's Address

Several MPs highlighted the need to enhance healthcare affordability and accessibility, with specific references to the Pioneer Generation Package and MediShield Life, while also cautioning against over-reliance on medical interventions and stressing the importance of preventive health measures.
The debate emphasized preparing for an ageing society through community-based support, senior-friendly technology, and improved communication of policies, alongside calls to review CPF and retirement adequacy to ensure sustained financial security for the elderly.
Multiple speakers stressed the importance of fostering a caring and inclusive society, promoting constructive politics, strengthening civil society engagement, and building social cohesion to address emerging challenges and uphold shared national values.

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16 May 2014

Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health aims to improve healthcare accessibility, affordability, and quality through the Healthcare 2020 Master Plan, expanding facilities like hospitals and polyclinics and growing the healthcare workforce significantly over the past years.
MOH is implementing financing reforms such as MediShield Life and the Pioneer Generation Package to keep healthcare costs manageable, while also enhancing primary care and integrated services through Regional Health Systems and new Family Medicine Clinics.
The ministry focuses on preventive health and aging-in-place initiatives, including the Healthy Living Master Plan and community-based senior care services, to promote healthy lifestyles and support seniors’ active aging and quality of life.

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16 May 2014

Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance will pursue fiscal policies to ensure a vibrant economy and equitable society, anchored in sound and sustainable finances to meet rising needs from an aging population and higher spending on healthcare and infrastructure.
Economic transformation focuses on building capabilities, innovation, and productivity to secure good jobs and rising incomes, with support for businesses, SMEs, R&D, and worker development through the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Plan.
Social strategies aim to preserve mobility and share national progress through investments in education, lifelong learning, and healthcare support, including the Pioneer Generation Package and enhanced MediShield Life for affordable and sustainable healthcare.
The government will maintain a fair and progressive tax system, leverage Net Investment Returns Contribution, and streamline regulations to enhance ease of doing business while participating in global financial initiatives.
Major investments will improve living environments, including public transport upgrades, housing rejuvenation, community facilities, and expanded e-services with greater data availability to benefit citizens and businesses.

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14 Apr 2014

Help with Fees of Detailed Medical Reports for Low-income Workers Claiming Work Injury Compensation or Reimbursement

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef raised concerns about low-income workers struggling to afford fees for detailed medical reports needed to claim work injury compensation or reimbursement.
The Acting Minister for Manpower explained that under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), employers are required to cover medical expenses, including report fees, up to $30,000 or one year from the accident date, and workers can seek reimbursement if they pay upfront.
Low-income workers can apply for financial assistance through the Special Relief Fund administered by the Singapore Labour Foundation, which provides up to $5,000 in temporary relief for eligible industrial accident victims.
Workers are advised to contact the Ministry of Manpower if employers fail to compensate them, as the Ministry will take firm action against errant employers.

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14 Apr 2014

Implementation of Nationwide Programme for Colonoscopy

The Ministry for Health has established the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme since 2011, using Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) as the primary screening method for Singaporeans aged 50 and above, with colonoscopy available as an alternative every 10 years.
Participation in colorectal cancer screening has improved from 26.8% in 2011 to 33.8% in 2013, but the government is focused on enhancing outreach and ensuring sufficient specialists and facilities are available to manage colonoscopy referrals for those with abnormal FIT results.
The Ministry is emphasizing prevention through the Integrated Screening Programme and a Healthy Living Master Plan to encourage healthy lifestyles, which aims to reduce cancer risk and improve overall health outcomes for the population.

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14 Apr 2014

Tracking of Waiting Time for Admissions to A&E Departments of Public Hospitals

Chen Show Mao inquired whether the 95th percentile waiting time for admissions, waiting times for registration and consultation, acceptable benchmarks, and weekly data release are tracked alongside the median waiting time.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong explained that patients are triaged by severity, with P1 cases seen immediately, while median and 95th percentile consultation and admission times for P2 cases are tracked monthly, not weekly, due to variability and the greater meaningfulness of monthly trends.
The Minister outlined measures to maintain care standards, including senior doctor staffing, inpatient team support for ED patients, and initiatives like GPFirst to divert non-emergency cases away from emergency departments.

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