Health

Dr. Haresh Singaraju raised concerns about how clinicians should disclose patient medical records to insurers when the insurance request forms lack clarity on the claims or request all medical records. Ong Ye Kung stated that clinicians are legally required to maintain patient confidentiality and cannot access the National Electronic Health Record for insurance purposes. Clinicians should seek clarification from insurers when requests are unclear and prepare separate medical memos based on their records. The Ministry of Health has issued guidance to clinicians and insurers to ensure compliance with confidentiality regulations.

Yip Hon Weng questioned the screening protocols for the 1777 hotline operators for non-emergency ambulance services and their ability to redirect cases to the 995 emergency hotline. K Shanmugam explained that operators use structured protocols to identify emergencies and redirect cases to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) when necessary, with an average of 1,420 cases redirected annually. Callers are informed that the 1777 service is meant for non-emergency situations and may incur charges for private ambulance services even if redirected to SCDF upon arrival. If a non-emergency case is later assessed as an emergency by the ambulance crew, SCDF will be activated.

Fadli Fawzi asked about cases of infants consuming contaminated infant formula and the government's safety measures. Grace Fu Hai Yien reported that as of January 30, 2026, three mild cases associated with cereulide exposure have been identified, but all have recovered. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ensures safety compliance for both imported and local infant formulas and has increased testing for cereulide following overseas recalls. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) is collaborating with SFA and monitoring potential cereulide poisoning cases in children through healthcare providers.

Gerald Giam Yean Song asked about reports of biting by male Wolbachia mosquitoes, the error rate of the sex-sorting process, and evidence regarding the mosquitoes' inability to bite. Grace Fu Hai Yien stated there have been no reports of biting by male Wolbachia mosquitoes, while mosquito bites may still occur from local female mosquitoes. The sex-sorting process has achieved an accuracy of 99.9%, with negligible numbers of inadvertently released female mosquitoes that have reduced disease transmission ability. Areas with released male Wolbachia mosquitoes have experienced significant reductions in female Aedes aegypti populations and dengue risk, with independent studies confirming the technology's safety for human health.

Joan Pereira asked about measures to encourage seniors to undergo regular dental check-ups and preventive care in addition to the enhanced CHAS subsidies for dental procedures set for October 2025. Ong Ye Kung outlined existing policies aimed at improving seniors' access to dental care, focusing on preventive measures, service availability, and financial support, including enhanced CHAS subsidies. The government is expanding dental services at polyclinics and forming partnerships with community providers to facilitate convenient care for seniors. Programs like Project Silver Screen provide screenings for seniors and refer those with dental issues to CHAS clinics, while initiatives from the National Dental Centre aim to promote oral health retention into old age. Additionally, tele-dentistry and mobile clinics have been introduced to increase access to dental services for seniors.

Sharael Taha questioned the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies about the healthcare workforce's alignment with projected service demand and strategies for addressing skill shortages. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry regularly assesses manpower plans and aligns them with education and training initiatives. He stated that the healthcare workforce is expected to grow by 20% from 129,000 in 2024 to around 156,000 by 2030, with the current workforce adequately meeting healthcare demand. Additionally, he mentioned that public hospitals have a low overall vacancy rate.

Charlene Chen asked if the Government would support the adoption of foreign children by Singaporeans through expedited citizenship applications, subsidized healthcare, temporary insurance coverage, and backdated levy concessions for domestic workers. Masagos Zulkifli B M M explained that citizenship applications can only be submitted after a court-adopted order and take time for assessment. He clarified that healthcare subsidies and coverage are exclusive to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents, but financial assistance is available for Singaporean adoptive parents facing medical expenses. The levy concession for migrant domestic workers will be granted automatically upon the child's citizenship, and retrospective applications for concessions will be considered.

Assoc Prof Terence Ho requested support from the Ministry of Health for social service agencies' senior befrienders by improving coordination with Silver Generation ambassadors and enhancing technology deployment in homes to monitor vulnerable seniors. Ong Ye Kung highlighted that the Silver Generation Office collaborates with social service agencies to support seniors by identifying their needs and providing befriending services. He reported that the Housing and Development Board is expanding the wireless Alert Alarm System in public rental blocks for emergency assistance. Additionally, the Ministry of Health will roll out an enhanced Home Personal Care service in April 2026, which includes technology-enabled monitoring for seniors.

Rachel Ong asked if the government would engage displaced food operators to address the shortage of school canteen operators and consider providing incentives for a more stable food environment for students. Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about 60 gastroenteritis cases at River Valley Primary School and requested assessments on food safety related to the Central Kitchen Meal Model. The Minister of State for Education, Jasmin Lau, stated that the Ministry is committed to ensuring access to nutritious meals and is exploring various food service models to address canteen stall shortages while maintaining safety standards. The Ministry is investigating the recent gastroenteritis incidents, emphasizing that central kitchens operate under strict licensing and food safety protocols. Multiple Members highlighted the need for improved food safety measures and potential support for individual hawkers operating in schools.

David Hoe questioned the Minister for National Development about the Government's consideration to extend the wireless Alert Alarm System to seniors living alone in owner-occupied HDB flats, alongside inquiries about constraints and alternatives. Chee Hong Tat responded that the focus is currently on seniors in public rental housing due to resource limitations for operators of the system. HDB has partnered with vendors to offer subscription-based fall detection services for residents in sold flats, which alerts next-of-kin or care providers in case of falls. Additionally, eligible seniors can access enhanced monitoring and response services under the Ministry of Health's program, set to be available later this year.

Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about the review of MediSave withdrawal limits for private medical insurance premiums in light of medical inflation and recent changes to MediShield Life. Ong Ye Kung explained that MediSave is designed for basic healthcare needs, with premiums for MediShield Life fully payable by it, while Integrated Shield Plans (IP) are optional and have capped withdrawal limits. He emphasized the need to balance the use of MediSave for private insurance with the preservation of funds for basic healthcare. Individuals struggling with rising premiums should seek advice from financial advisors regarding their health insurance coverage.

Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about the increasing number of seniors living alone in HDB households and the potential risks of social isolation and mental health issues. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged this issue and highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to create a support network for seniors through initiatives like the Agency for Integrated Care and the recruitment of Silver Generation Ambassadors. The Age Well SG program has developed comprehensive support services, including Active Ageing Centres and Home Personal Care services for those in need. The government plans to enhance outreach efforts by collaborating with volunteer groups and community organizations to assist isolated seniors.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the data supporting the removal of mask and spit guard requirements for food handlers from January 1, 2026, and inquired about managing aerosolized pathogen transmission without physical barriers. Grace Fu Hai Yien stated that the requirements were initially implemented as COVID-19 public hygiene measures and remain relevant. The Singapore Food Agency's analysis showed that low food handler usage of masks and spit guards poses a low risk of food contamination compared to other factors like sanitation and temperature management. Food businesses are encouraged to maintain hygiene best practices, and food handlers are advised not to work when unwell.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned whether the Ministry of Health would incorporate dementia prevention savings into cost-benefit analyses for shingles vaccines and consider extending subsidies to those aged 50-59. Ong Ye Kung responded that the cited studies indicate a potential link between shingles vaccination and reduced dementia risk but emphasized the need for further research to establish causality. The Ministry will continue monitoring new scientific evidence while maintaining the current subsidy age limit, as shingles incidence significantly increases after age 60.

Jamus Lim asked if the Ministry of Health would consider adding congenital conditions like hypogonadism to the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and sought clarification on the rationale for differing subsidies under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) and MediFund. Ong Ye Kung explained that the CDMP includes conditions reviewed by a Clinical Advisory Committee, which found that such congenital conditions are complex, specialist-led, and not commonly managed in primary care, making them unsuitable for inclusion. He also clarified that while CHAS offers subsidies for chronic disease management at GP clinics, MediFund is strictly for needy patients in polyclinics and public hospitals due to more stringent oversight.

Hazlina Abdul Halim asked about the Health Promotion Board's collaboration with stakeholders to enhance healthy food options at hawker centres and the potential for new financial incentives for businesses providing nutritious food. Ong Ye Kung emphasized the Healthier Dining Programme, which involves over 9,200 food establishments offering healthier menu options as of September 2025. The Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme supports F&B operators in using healthier ingredients by providing them at competitive prices. He encouraged consumers to request healthier options when dining out to increase demand and motivate stall owners to modify their menus.

He Ting Ru asked about the impact and appropriateness of New Zealand's smokefree generation law for Singapore, seeking information on potential healthcare cost savings and tax revenue implications if a similar ban were introduced. The Minister of State for Health, Rahayu Mahzam, noted that New Zealand has withdrawn its law while expressing that Singapore has a robust strategy to curb smoking, achieving a low prevalence rate of 8.4%. Rahayu confirmed that Singapore continues to monitor international examples, including the UK's proposed legislation, and remains open to exploring a similar cohort ban, engaging with experts and stakeholders on the matter. She emphasized the need to understand the specific issues Singapore aims to address before implementing such policies.

Hazlina Abdul Halim raised questions about the average take-up rate of caregiving respite services, availability to meet caregiver demand, and plans to enhance and expand these services. Dr. Koh Poh Koon responded that existing care services generally meet the demand for respite care, with specific support for caregivers experiencing burnout. In 2025, over 14,600 seniors and more than 3,600 individuals with disabilities utilized subsidized respite care services. The Ministry plans to review and enhance respite services, including longer hours for Home Personal Care and updates to the Take-a-Break home-based respite program.

Elysa Chen asked about measures to address heat stress and heat-related illnesses among vulnerable groups in light of rising temperatures in Singapore. Masagos Zulkifli outlined a multi-pronged heat resilience approach, including broad-based measures for all citizens and targeted interventions for vulnerable groups. Initiatives such as the Heat Stress Advisory and enhancements to infrastructure, like cool coatings for HDB estates, are in place to improve heat resilience. The Government will set up cooling centres during heatwaves and provide specific support for vulnerable populations, including improved conditions in schools and care facilities. Agencies are also exploring additional heat adaptation and cooling measures as needed.

Elysa Chen asked about the three-year retention rate for entry-level care workers and the Ministry's plans to publish indicators to evaluate the attractiveness of care roles in Singapore. Ong Ye Kung reported an improvement in attrition rates among entry-level healthcare staff from 2022 to 2024, with rates decreasing for doctors, nurses, and support care staff. The Ministry of Health acknowledges the global challenge of retaining healthcare workers due to high demand and aims to make healthcare careers appealing through competitive pay and professional development opportunities. Emphasizing societal respect for healthcare professions is also deemed essential for retention.