Health

Dennis Tan Lip Fong questioned the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health regarding the number of Singapore citizens aged 65 and above receiving CPF LIFE payouts who are required to pay health insurance premiums in cash due to insufficient MediSave funds, and how many of these individuals pay over 50% of their payouts in premiums. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health does not track this data, but most seniors receiving CPF LIFE payouts are expected to have adequate MediSave balances for their premiums. The Government supports affordable premiums through various subsidies for different income groups and ensures coverage is maintained regardless of financial difficulties.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if patients can have follow-up tests at a polyclinic closer to them, even if it belongs to a different public healthcare cluster than the hospital that ordered the tests, and if hospitals will have access to the test reports. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that patients can indeed have tests performed at any available polyclinic regardless of the healthcare cluster. Test results are shared with hospitals through the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), and access will improve as a unified electronic medical record system is implemented across public healthcare institutions.

Hamid Razak questioned the Ministry of Health about the administrative requirements imposed by insurers on doctors for cancer drug claims under the Cancer Drug List (CDL) and whether the Ministry has endorsed these procedures for Integrated Shield Plan claims. Ong Ye Kung confirmed that claims for MediSave, MediShield Life, and Integrated Shield Plans are generally filed electronically, reducing administrative burdens. The Ministry is aware that extra information is sometimes required by insurers for cancer drugs not on the CDL, particularly for non-covered treatments, which may necessitate manual submissions. The Ministry is open to engaging with healthcare providers and insurers to explore ways to streamline the claims process based on specific feedback.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about whether the transition from means-tested co-payments in the Community Health Assist Scheme to the capitation model under Healthier SG indicates a shift away from shared responsibility in healthcare financing. Ong Ye Kung explained that preventive care services under Healthier SG are fully subsidized to promote their uptake, while other healthcare services remain means-tested with co-payments to maintain discipline in healthcare usage. He emphasized that this approach aims to prevent unnecessary healthcare consumption and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability of the healthcare system.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked about the barriers preventing Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency and South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety from being recognized as reference agencies for therapeutic product registration. Ong Ye Kung noted that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) currently recognizes six major reference agencies, which facilitate expedited registration processes for pharmaceuticals. These jurisdictions provide established standards and comprehensive assessments that support HSA's regulatory measures. HSA is reviewing its framework and is in discussions with WHO-listed authorities, including Japan and South Korea, to enhance regulatory cooperation and improve access to therapeutic products.

Joan Pereira asked about the availability and costs of post-natal care services at public and private hospitals and whether MediSave can be used for postpartum care, especially in cases of complications. Ong Ye Kung responded that MediSave currently covers pre-delivery and delivery expenses under the MediSave Maternity Package, and additional coverage is provided through MediShield Life for mothers with post-delivery complications. The Ministry of Health does not track the costs of additional outpatient post-natal services, which vary in nature. Ong mentioned the need to balance MediSave adequacy with Central Provident Fund contributions and noted that financial assistance options like MediFund are available for those facing difficulties with post-natal medical care. The Ministry will continue to review financing schemes to maintain affordability for maternity services.

Hamid Razak asked about the possibility of a policy framework for GST relief on essential medications for patients with rare or complex conditions facing high out-of-pocket costs. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Government already absorbs GST for medical services and medications for subsidized patients at public hospitals, polyclinics, and care institutions.

Hany Soh proposed establishing a default authorization for medical institutions to verify healthcare financing coverage for Singaporeans, aiming to simplify the process of settling medical expenses. Ong Ye Kung explained that the completion of Medical Claims Authorisation Forms is necessary to protect MediSave funds and personal data while allowing patients flexibility. Patients can choose to authorize current and future treatments across multiple institutions with a single form or opt for specific authorizations at individual institutions. Public healthcare institutions will assist patients in completing these forms during or after their visits.

Yip Hon Weng asked about the implications of recognizing Family Medicine as a specialty for accredited family physicians, including potential increased responsibilities and impacts on corporate panel participation. Ong Ye Kung explained that family physicians are trained to manage chronic conditions, which is increasingly important for the aging population. The recognition of Family Medicine as a specialty in 2025 allows trained specialists to provide community care for complex cases, reducing hospital referrals. Participation in corporate panels is influenced by commercial agreements, and all doctors must practice within their accredited competencies. Family physicians holding a Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine are encouraged to pursue further training to enhance their skills and qualify as specialists.

Mariam Jaafar asked about the monitoring of the revised Integrated Shield Plan rider framework's impact on private healthcare utilization and public hospital waiting times. Ong Ye Kung indicated that the question has already been addressed in previous parliamentary discussions from January 12, 2026. He referred to the official report for details on managing healthcare insurance premiums.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the relationship between the EatWise SG initiative and other health programs such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG, public participation opportunities, and trained community care providers for recognizing malnutrition. Ong Ye Kung indicated that this question had been addressed previously in a parliamentary session on November 4, 2025, referring to a detailed report on malnutrition in older Singaporeans.

Yeo Wan Ling highlighted the critical role of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore's caregiving landscape, emphasizing that they support working families by providing essential care. She proposed several measures to improve the situation for both MDWs and their employers, including expanding training grants for advanced caregiving skills and language training, and professionalizing employment agencies to ensure better matches between families and MDWs. The need for affordable healthcare for MDWs and mental health support was also stressed, along with the suggestion to develop regulated part-time care pathways. Senior Parliamentary Secretary Shawn Huang acknowledged the importance of MDWs and outlined government initiatives to support their welfare and enhance employers' access to quality care services.

Ang Wei Neng raised concerns about the decline in dengue cases in 2025 and the expansion of Project Wolbachia in Singapore. Goh Hanyan explained that the decrease to 4,036 cases was due to a combination of factors, including effective mosquito control efforts and a global decline in dengue cases, with Project Wolbachia being part of the strategy that reduced transmission risks by over 70% in certain areas. The plan is to expand the Project Wolbachia trial to cover 800,000 households by the end of 2026, but constraints such as resource limitations and site selection based on mosquito populations affect the pace of expansion. Despite its effectiveness, Project Wolbachia is not the sole solution for managing dengue, and community cooperation remains vital.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), asking for the number of applicants, the most common conditions cared for, and applicant demographics by age group. The Minister of State for Health reported over 94,000 applicants since 2019, primarily aged 70 and above, but noted that specific conditions of applicants are not collected. Samdin raised concerns regarding the inclusion of caregivers for individuals with autism and mental health conditions, asking if the requirements could be adjusted to better support these caregivers. The Minister clarified that eligibility for HCG is based on the inability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and assured that the government is reviewing support for diverse caregiving challenges.

Choo Pei Ling asked about the preparation needed for installing AEDs in newly developed estates like Tengah, the timeline for their installation, and interim measures for emergency preparedness before AEDs are deployed. Sim Ann responded that the SCDF must complete relevant infrastructure and security measures before installation, with 29 AEDs already in Tengah and 11 more planned by February 2026, covering about 70% of occupied HDB blocks. SCDF organizes community events to promote emergency preparedness and life-saving skills, and the "My Responder Plus" program encourages community involvement in these initiatives. Pei Ling emphasized the importance of timely access to life-saving equipment in new towns.

Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for Health about initiatives to promote strength training and resistance activity among middle-aged and older Singaporeans to combat muscle loss and maintain functional independence. The Minister of State for Health highlighted efforts by the Health Promotion Board and Sport Singapore, including the Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines and community programs like Start2Move, aimed at familiarizing residents with strength training. Jaafar raised concerns about middle-aged individuals feeling fatigued and lacking confidence in using gym equipment, inquiring about the availability of safe, guided training programs and the need for more ActiveSG facilities in her constituency. The Minister confirmed that tracking of functional outcomes exists for some programs and emphasized the availability of on-site trainers at ActiveSG gyms to assist new users.

Fadli Fawzi asked about the HPV vaccination take-up rates for Singaporeans aged 9 to 26, specifically for males and females, over the past five years, and whether school-based vaccination access for males would be reviewed. Ong Ye Kung explained that HPV vaccination is recommended for females aged 9 to 26 to prevent cervical cancer, and a school-based program was launched in April 2019 to boost coverage. HPV vaccination rates for females can be found in official reports, while coverage for males is not tracked due to the absence of a vaccination recommendation. Males at high risk are encouraged to consult their doctors regarding HPV vaccination.

Wan Rizal raised concerns about trends related to seniors living alone and their mental health risks, as well as community efforts to address loneliness and psychological distress. Ong Ye Kung reported that the number of one-person households among seniors has increased significantly, with older adults living alone more likely to experience depressive symptoms. The Ministry of Health is enhancing initiatives to combat social isolation through active ageing programs and outreach efforts to connect at-risk seniors with community resources. Additionally, seniors with psychological needs will be referred to community mental health teams for appropriate support.

Yip Hon Weng raised questions regarding the omission of hearing loss data from the 2024 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), the reintroduction of objective hearing assessments, and plans to train healthcare professionals in recognizing hearing loss. Ong Ye Kung explained that the NPHS focuses on chronic diseases and lifestyle risk factors, with hearing loss data collected on a rotational basis, last reported in 2023. Healthcare professionals currently manage suspected hearing loss cases and refer patients as necessary, while widescale population screening is not recommended. The Ministry of Health's Project Silver Screen supports early detection of hearing issues in seniors through community screenings and referrals for further assessment.

Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the possibility of lowering the breast cancer screening age limit under Healthier SG to 45 years to aid early detection. Ong Ye Kung responded that currently, women aged 50 to 69 can receive fully subsidized screening biennially, while women aged 40 to 49 can be screened if deemed appropriate by their doctor. The Ministry of Health acknowledges the rising incidence of breast cancer, including among younger women, and will continue to assess screening guidelines and evidence.