Health

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat questioned the impact of the recent merger of Singapore's largest private nursing home operators on market share, government funding, and safeguards against price increases. Ong Ye Kung responded that the merged operators will hold approximately 10% of the nursing home market, and the merger was deemed not to significantly reduce competition. The government funds capital costs for nursing home development through the Build-Own-Lease model, encouraging diverse operator participation and ensuring that government operating subventions are allocated based on subsidized market share.

Shawn Loh raised concerns about the adequacy of outpatient subsidies for younger adults needing specialist care for chronic conditions not included in the Chronic Disease Management Programme. Ong Ye Kung stated that subsidies at public Specialist Outpatient Clinics are based on household income, aimed at supporting lower income families. He mentioned that lower income patients with complex conditions can access additional support like MediFund. Additionally, he noted that the annual MediSave limit for outpatient scans will increase from $300 to $600 starting January 2026, with coverage extending to clinically effective screenings.

Shawn Loh questioned why autoimmune and multisystem conditions like lupus, Crohn's disease, and small fibre neuropathy are excluded from the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and if less prevalent conditions with high care burdens could be considered for inclusion. Ong Ye Kung explained that the Clinical Advisory Committee regularly reviews conditions for the CDMP, considering factors such as disease burden, primary care manageability, evidence-based guidelines, and long-term treatment costs. The mentioned conditions are less common and managed primarily by specialists, involving complex therapies not suited for primary care in the CDMP. Despite their exclusion, eligible patients can receive significant subsidies and utilize Flexi-MediSave for their treatments.

David Hoe raised questions about the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) audits of canteen vendors for compliance with the Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP) guidelines, including audit frequency, compliance rates from 2020 to 2024, common breaches, and enforcement actions. Ong Ye Kung responded that HPB regularly assesses compliance, with over half of school canteen stalls meeting the guidelines on average from 2020 to 2024. Common non-compliance issues included the use of non-Healthier Choice Symbol sauces and certain meat products. HPB shares assessment results with schools and vendors, offering resources like the HMSP Toolkit to aid canteen vendors in improving compliance.

Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Health about the sustainability indicators used for determining new design requirements for Integrated Shield Plan riders, effective April 2026. He also inquired whether the Ministry has modeled changes in out-of-pocket spending for typical hospital cases under the new rider design compared to the current one and requested projected figures. Ong Ye Kung responded that these questions have already been addressed in an earlier session of Parliament on January 12, 2026.

Gabriel Lam raised multiple questions regarding the Ministry of Health's assessment of out-of-pocket costs for heart patients, the impact of cost on treatment compliance, and the availability of subsidies and support for lifelong medication. He also inquired about the structured follow-up care provided to heart attack patients, monitoring of medication adherence post-discharge, and the expansion of community-based rehabilitation programs. Ong Ye Kung highlighted that Healthier SG offers subsidized cardiovascular risk factor screening and genetic testing for high-risk patients. He noted that follow-up care involves regular reviews at outpatient clinics, lifestyle interventions, and access to significant subsidies for medications, demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to making cardiovascular care affordable and accessible.

He Ting Ru asked about the percentage of National Servicemen diagnosed with mental health conditions before and during enlistment and how these figures compare to those from a decade ago. Chan Chun Sing referenced previous figures provided by Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo regarding the proportion of full-time National Servicemen seeking help for mental health issues. He noted a general upward trend in National Servicemen seeking mental health support over time, in line with national youth mental health trends.

Cai Yinzhou proposed the establishment of a Fire Victim Support Unit to provide psychological support for residents affected by HDB fires and suggested community engagement sessions to aid in resilience-building. K Shanmugam responded that immediate medical assistance, including psychological first aid, is provided to fire victims, while essential support is coordinated through grassroots organizations and the Housing and Development Board. The Minister stated that there is no need for a dedicated Fire Victim Support Unit, as the Singapore Civil Defence Force conducts post-fire engagement to promote fire safety awareness.

Cai Yinzhou asked about protocols for teachers when students disclose mental health issues but refuse parental or counselor involvement, focusing on confidentiality and safety obligations. Desmond Lee responded that all teachers receive basic counseling training to handle such disclosures and understand confidentiality and escalation processes. Teachers are required to support students and refer them for additional help while explaining the need for such actions if safety concerns arise. The Ministry of Health is working on guidelines regarding parental consent that may apply to schools, which the Ministry of Education will review.

Dr. Wan Rizal questioned how the Ministry of Social and Family Development will evaluate the effectiveness of new initiatives aimed at enhancing Singapore's social service workforce, focusing on mental health and family support. Masagos Zulkifli highlighted initiatives such as improved study awards and training pathways to attract new entrants and support existing professionals in social services. The Ministry intends to monitor manpower needs, professional outcomes, and the uptake of the enhanced programs to ensure adequate resources and accessibility in mental health and family support services. Expanded funding for leadership training will also contribute to strengthening competencies within the workforce.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about the average waiting times for appointments with various allied health professionals in public hospitals. Ong Ye Kung responded that waiting times depend on the severity and urgency of conditions, with no national tracking of these times. Public healthcare institutions report median waiting times ranging from within a day to two months for the specified allied health services.

Xie Yao Quan asked about the status of individuals injured in the bus accident on Jurong West Avenue 1 on 14 December 2025, including their discharge and financial support. Jeffrey Siow confirmed that all injured individuals have been discharged from the hospital. The bus operators are assisting with medical claims for the injured passengers. Ongoing investigations are being conducted, and the Land Transport Authority will provide updates as they progress.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about plans to increase the number of licensed allied health professionals (AHPs) regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council, including projected growth numbers and potential expansion of AHP categories. Ong Ye Kung reported a 6% annual growth in registered AHPs, increasing from 6,000 in 2019 to an expected 8,000 in 2024, to address the ageing population's needs. Currently, AHPs include diagnostic radiographers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiation therapists, and speech-language therapists. The Ministry is evaluating the inclusion of additional professions, with a focus on registering psychologists providing higher-risk care.

Joan Pereira asked about the measures taken by public and private hospitals in Singapore to detect and manage infectious airborne diseases and the sufficiency of beds for sudden spikes in contagious diseases among the elderly. Ong Ye Kung stated that hospitals follow established infection prevention and control systems to detect and manage these diseases, including triaging patients and isolating those suspected of infection. He mentioned that hospitals have contingency plans and can adapt transitional care facilities for isolation if necessary. Additionally, he noted the importance of public cooperation in maintaining health protocols, such as not visiting when unwell and practicing good hygiene.

Yip Hon Weng asked if the Ministry of Health would integrate cross-disciplinary allied health modules into nursing education and enhance training for family and rehabilitation physicians to support community care and inter-professional collaboration. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry is collaborating with educational institutions and healthcare organizations to include relevant competencies in nursing education, such as nutrition interventions. He also mentioned that residency training for family and rehabilitation physicians includes training to identify community support services, promoting collaboration for holistic patient care.

Hamid Razak inquired about the possibility of introducing an outpatient primary care insurance scheme for migrant domestic workers, similar to the Primary Care Plan (PCP) for other migrant workers. Tan See Leng responded that the PCP was established in 2022 to enhance access to primary healthcare for migrant workers but noted that there are no plans to extend it to migrant domestic workers. He suggested that employers of domestic workers could opt for voluntary comprehensive insurance plans that include outpatient coverage for better cost predictability.

Tan Kiat How addressed questions regarding the Health Information Bill (HIB), emphasizing that it aims to enhance patient care through coordinated health information management. Kenneth Tiong raised concerns about the lack of insurance options for GPs, the flexibility needed for less tech-savvy clinics, and the implications of data breaches on insurance practices. Tan assured that while support for GPs is being developed, the use of health records for insurance purposes is prohibited to protect patient privacy. Access to medical records logged under the NEHR will be distinguishable from records accessed through individual healthcare providers' systems. The Bill was subsequently passed without amendments.

• The Health Information Bill (HIB) aims to create a centralized national health record system to improve healthcare delivery and patient safety, addressing concerns about fragmented medical information and enhancing continuity of care.
• Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and patients, expressed concerns about data privacy, the potential for increased medico-legal liabilities, and the need for clear guidelines on accessing and using health records.
• The Bill includes safeguards to protect sensitive health information, restrict access for non-clinical purposes (like employment and insurance), and allows patients to impose access restrictions on their records.
• Support measures for healthcare providers, especially smaller practices, will be implemented to assist with compliance, including funding for digital systems and ongoing technical support.
• The Ministry of Health will focus on patient education and engagement to build trust in the new system, ensuring that patients understand how their data will be used and protected.

• The Health Information Bill (HIB) aims to enhance healthcare delivery in Singapore by mandating all licensed healthcare providers to contribute key health information to the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), facilitating better continuity of care for patients.
• The Bill addresses the challenges posed by Singapore's aging population and the need for coordinated care across various healthcare settings, moving from a hospital-centric model to community-based care.
• Concerns were raised regarding patient privacy, cybersecurity, and the potential burden on smaller healthcare providers, with calls for robust safeguards and support mechanisms to ensure compliance without compromising care accessibility.
• The Bill includes provisions to prevent the use of health data for employment and insurance purposes, aiming to build public trust in the healthcare system while allowing for necessary data sharing for public health and research.
• Implementation of the Bill is planned for early 2027, with ongoing discussions about support for healthcare providers, particularly smaller clinics, to meet the new requirements effectively.

• The debate focused on the new Integrated Shield Plan rider requirements aimed at managing rising healthcare insurance premiums and addressing concerns about out-of-pocket costs for patients.
• Key changes include a reduction in rider premiums by an average of 30%, higher co-payments, and a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, with the intention of discouraging over-consumption of healthcare services.
• Concerns were raised about the potential shift of patients from private to public healthcare due to increased costs, and the government assured that public healthcare remains accessible and is expanding to meet demand.
• The Minister emphasized the need for a sustainable insurance model and the importance of regulatory oversight to ensure insurers operate ethically while balancing market dynamics.
• The discussion highlighted the ongoing challenges of rising healthcare costs, the impact of an ageing population, and the necessity for a coordinated approach to healthcare capacity and affordability.