Health

• The Minister for Social and Family Development addressed concerns regarding recent gastroenteritis outbreaks at preschools, stating that investigations are ongoing and the situation is being monitored by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
• ECDA has issued a joint advisory with the Singapore Food Agency to remind preschools to maintain vigilance and follow guidelines to minimize the risk of gastroenteritis, including daily health checks and proper management of infectious diseases.
• Preschools are required to adhere to health and hygiene standards outlined in regulations, including maintaining clean and well-ventilated premises and following proper food preparation procedures.
• ECDA conducts unannounced visits to assess compliance with hygiene standards and will take regulatory actions against preschools that do not meet requirements, which may include warnings and financial penalties.

• The rise in malnutrition among older Singaporeans is influenced by factors such as social isolation, mental health issues, and financial constraints.
• Approximately 25% of older adults do not meet their minimum caloric requirements, and about 50% do not meet recommended protein intake, according to recent National Nutrition Surveys.
• The Ministry of Health is implementing national programs like Healthier SG and Age Well SG to address malnutrition through education, early intervention, and community support.
• Initiatives include community-based education on healthy diets, identification of at-risk seniors for early dietary advice, and financial support for accessing healthy food.
• Vulnerable seniors can receive subsidized, nutritious meals through services like Meals-on-Wheels, and community partners are encouraged to support these nutrition initiatives.

• Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised concerns about tracking knife crimes involving offenders with mental health issues to improve prevention and intervention strategies.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs does not currently track data on knife crimes related to mental health issues but emphasizes the seriousness of all knife crimes.
• Legal measures are in place to regulate the sale of certain knives and impose severe penalties for carrying offensive weapons without lawful authority.
• The Police are trained to handle knife crime incidents and may refer offenders with mental health issues to medical practitioners or community outreach teams for treatment.

• Dr. Choo Pei Ling proposed updates to the organ donation scheme, suggesting stronger legislation for donor protection and a consolidated national registry for organ, body, and brain donations.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that existing laws provide adequate safeguards for honoring donor wishes and that healthcare professionals follow protocols to support families during the donation process.
• The Ministry of Health has no plans to consolidate the different donation registries, as current systems allow for individual registration and ensure that donor decisions are respected.

• Mr. Foo Cexiang inquired about the number of cases where migrant domestic workers' medical fees exceeded $60,000 in the past three years and suggested increasing the minimum annual claim limit for their insurance policies.
• Minister Tan See Leng reported that 99% of medical bills for migrant domestic workers fall below $60,000, with only about 20 cases annually exceeding this amount, leading to no plans for further increasing the claim limit.
• The Ministry of Manpower has recently increased the minimum annual claim limit from $15,000 to $60,000 and is standardizing exclusion clauses in insurance policies to enhance clarity for employers.
• Employers can opt for more comprehensive insurance plans if they desire better coverage for their migrant domestic workers.

• Ms. Mariam Jaafar inquired about the number of children with rare diseases requiring expensive treatments and the extent of financial support available for their care.
• The Ministry of Health does not track the specific number of affected children but provides subsidies for clinically effective treatments, including those for rare diseases.
• The Rare Disease Fund offers additional financial assistance for treatments not covered by existing subsidies, with government matching donations to the fund.
• Patients with disabilities related to rare diseases can access long-term care subsidies and grants, which will be enhanced from 2026, to help with caregiving and equipment costs.
• Financially struggling families can seek help from medical social workers for additional support options like MediFund.

• The debate highlighted the increasing mental health challenges faced by youths in Singapore, with one in three reporting severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress, often exacerbated by social media use.
• Dr. Charlene Chen proposed the establishment of a School Mental Well-being Charter to systematically embed mental resilience into the education system, emphasizing the need for a supportive culture, effective measurement, and experiential learning.
• The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been enhancing its Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum to include mental health literacy and coping strategies, while also training over 1,000 teacher-counsellors to support students.
• The importance of a collaborative approach involving educators, parents, and community resources was stressed, with a focus on creating a culture of wellness, belonging, and redefined success in schools.
• The Senior Parliamentary Secretary acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts to build mental resilience and indicated that the MOE would consider the proposed Charter while continuing to implement existing systemic processes for student well-being.

• Caregivers of persons with dementia face significant financial and emotional burdens, averaging over 200 hours and $2,000 monthly in care costs after subsidies.
• The government is enhancing long-term care subsidies and grants for dementia care, with initiatives like the Caregiver Support Network to assist caregivers.
• There is a need for better dissemination of information about available resources for caregivers, especially for those who are less digitally savvy.
• Respite care options are available for caregivers, including day care services and nursing home respite, but the sustainability of these resources is a concern as dementia cases rise.
• The government is committed to monitoring healthcare expenditure and ensuring that support for caregivers and persons with dementia remains effective and sustainable.

• There is a rising trend in the number of full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) declaring psychological or mental health conditions, with 9% of pre-enlistees and 11% of NSFs seeking help in 2024.
• The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has a mental health support system that includes screening for mental health conditions during pre-enlistment medical examinations.
• Individuals identified with mental health issues are assessed by in-house psychiatrists and may be deferred from service if deemed a risk to themselves or others.
• The SAF provides ongoing support for NSFs with mental health issues, including monitoring and psychological first aid training for recruits and commanders.
• The Ministry of Defence is committed to collaborating with families and relevant agencies to enhance the mental well-being of servicemen.

• The debate focused on addressing high stress levels among teachers in Singapore, as highlighted by the OECD TALIS 2024 study, with various members asking about measures to support teachers' mental health and well-being.
• Concerns were raised about the low proportion of younger teachers and their intention to leave the profession, prompting discussions on recruitment and support for beginning teachers.
• The Minister for Education outlined several initiatives to reduce teachers' non-instructional duties, including the use of technology and AI, increased staffing support, and flexible work arrangements to help manage workload.
• Members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring of teacher workload and the importance of creating a supportive environment for educators, including better communication with parents.
• The Minister acknowledged the complexity of teaching today and reiterated the commitment to improving teachers' work-life balance while ensuring that educational reforms benefit students.

Gabriel Lam asked if rehabilitation programs for offenders exhibiting violent behavior towards animals are available, how the Ministry coordinates with relevant services to manage high-risk individuals, and if mandatory counseling or therapy can be enforced alongside penalties. Chee Hong Tat responded that courts can impose a Mandatory Treatment Order, mandating psychiatric treatment for offenders in animal cruelty cases.

Ng Shi Xuan asked about the breakdown of food poisoning cases in preschools under different operating schemes over the past nine months. Masagos Zulkifli reported that eight investigations into gastroenteritis outbreaks occurred in preschools, which could be viral or foodborne. The Early Childhood Development Agency does not track food poisoning cases by operating scheme, but all preschools must follow health and hygiene regulations. Compliance includes disinfecting contaminated areas and monitoring symptoms to protect children's health during gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Melvin Yong raised concerns about the COVID-19 XFG variant's high transmissibility and potential for immune evasion, questioning if more efforts are needed to ensure Singaporeans keep their vaccinations up to date. Ong Ye Kung clarified that the XFG variant does not cause more severe illness compared to earlier strains, and the Ministry of Health has adjusted vaccination recommendations for specific age groups and medically vulnerable individuals. Vaccination is readily available for free at over 600 general practitioner clinics and 10 polyclinics, with mobile teams aiding seniors in accessing vaccines and SMS invitations sent to eligible individuals.

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked about the prevalence, health risks, and mitigation plans for tick-borne diseases in Singapore, particularly with the expansion of green spaces. Ong Ye Kung responded that tick-borne diseases are not common in Singapore, and while risks exist due to international travel, the likelihood of community transmission is low. Symptoms of these diseases can be non-specific and may lead to severe complications if untreated. The Communicable Diseases Agency educates travelers on prevention, and collaborates with other agencies to monitor and research tick-borne diseases using a One Health approach.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked about the yearly average number of applicants rejected by government-affiliated mental health support networks and the reasons for such rejections. Ong Ye Kung responded that Community Mental Health Teams do not reject individuals but assess their needs and refer them to other services as necessary. In 2024, 316 clients were referred to hospitals and other services due to severe mental health conditions, a need for specialized care, or clients' preferences.

Ng Chee Meng asked about the use of MediSave by Singaporeans for family members, the income profile of these users, and their risk of insufficient MediSave for personal expenses. Ong Ye Kung reported that approximately 210,000 Singaporeans have used MediSave for family members annually from 2022 to 2024, but most use it for their own healthcare needs. The risk of MediSave inadequacy is more associated with personal healthcare requirements, but support systems such as Government top-ups and MediFund are in place for those in financial distress. The government ensures that no individual will lose access to necessary healthcare due to payment issues.

David Hoe asked if there are initiatives to incorporate depression and suicide prevention screenings into primary care visits for seniors and if these screenings could be opt-out instead of opt-in. Ong Ye Kung responded that internationally, there is not enough evidence to support routine screening for depression and suicide in asymptomatic adults. He indicated that doctors are trained to address signs of depression or suicidal ideation based on seniors' presenting medical complaints or symptoms.

Choo Pei Ling asked about the detailed breakdown of the $2.4 billion committed to healthcare research, specifically by disease area, research theme, and program type. Ong Ye Kung responded that while annual funding allocations by program type are available on the Ministry of Health's website, detailed allocations by disease area and research theme are not published.

Charlene Chen raised concerns about the high demand for ambulatory services and asked whether the Ministry of Health will collaborate with private operators to offer subsidized services and how it plans to meet the needs of an aging population. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Agency for Integrated Care already refers eligible seniors to subsidized ambulatory services and is working with various partners to enhance service provision. The Ministry is coordinating these services with other community resources to ensure a smooth transition for seniors and will continuously review the capacity of Community Rehabilitation and Day Care services to meet growing demands.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling questioned the Government on the financial commitment to R&D for technology-based care for the elderly and disabled over the past three years, as well as on support for collaboration between clinicians and engineers. Ong Ye Kung responded that specific funding numbers are not tracked, but significant resources are allocated under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Plan, particularly for population health and longevity research. He highlighted existing collaborations between clinicians and engineers through various initiatives, including the Open Fund – Large Collaborative Grant, which promotes interdisciplinary partnerships and innovation platforms to foster clinical advancements.