Health

Assoc Prof Jamus Lim asked if the doctor's fee for certifying medical status for SG Enable schemes could be waived at polyclinics. Ong Ye Kung explained that the fee is necessary due to the time and effort required by doctors to prepare such memos. He stated that polyclinic charges are generally not waived as they are heavily subsidized, but patients can apply for additional financial assistance if needed, and relevant agencies may cover the charges based on their assessments.

Wan Rizal requested data from the Minister for Health regarding public child and adolescent mental health services over the last five years, covering wait times, referral sources, staffing ratios, and no-show rates. Ong Ye Kung reported that triage is performed for referrals, with median wait times decreasing from 34 days in 2020 to 26 days in 2024, and 90th-percentile wait times also declining. The majority of referrals in 2024 came from the public healthcare system, primarily polyclinics, while staffing levels remain stable with psychiatrists handling 1,300 to 1,500 outpatients annually. No-show rates improved from 22% in 2020 to 14% in 2024 due to various re-engagement efforts like confirmation calls and follow-ups.

Wan Rizal requested information from the Home Affairs Minister regarding police activations for suicide risk over the last five years, including age breakdowns, average response times, officer training proportions, and post-incident partnerships. K Shanmugam explained that the police do not track the number of such activations but aim to respond within 15 minutes to suicide-related incidents. All frontline officers receive training to handle various incidents, including a Mental Health Awareness Course to recognize and engage with individuals facing mental health issues. The police collaborate with resources like DART and the Crisis Negotiation Unit for complex cases and have protocols for referring individuals to mental health professionals, such as the Crisis Response Team from the Institute of Mental Health.

Joan Pereira asked for statistics on Advance Care Planning (ACP), including the total number of plans made, demographic breakdowns, and public education efforts. Ong Ye Kung reported that over 87,000 ACPs have been completed as of September 2025, with the majority being by individuals aged 50 and above, female, and of Chinese ethnicity. The "Plan Your Legacy Today!" campaign has doubled the ACP completion rate since its launch in 2023. The Ministry is promoting ACPs through the myACP digital tool, which has enabled the completion of 4,350 digital ACPs since June 2025, and is conducting targeted outreach to seniors.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised concerns about the public health risks associated with non-prescribed performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) like anabolic steroids among youths. Ong Ye Kung emphasized that these substances are prescription-only and should not be used for enhancing performance due to serious health risks. He advised the public to report illegal drug supply or use to the Health Sciences Authority. The Anti-Doping Singapore is collaborating with Institutes of Higher Learning to provide anti-doping education to student-athletes, with plans to assess the effectiveness of these outreach programs.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling asked about the plans for longitudinal studies to assess the developmental impact of Grow Well SG, the qualitative metrics used for evaluation, and the public availability of study findings. Ong Ye Kung responded that they monitor long-term health impacts by tracking indicators like screen time, physical activity, and sleep, which affect children's health outcomes. Surveys will also measure parental awareness of healthy habits to refine initiatives for Grow Well SG. Continuous monitoring will be conducted, and insights will be shared once available.

Dr. Wan Rizal asked about trends in median out-of-pocket expenses for chronic conditions and day surgeries in public healthcare. Ong Ye Kung responded that from April 2025, there will be no out-of-pocket costs for median subsidized day surgeries, with median annual out-of-pocket costs for chronic conditions at about $50. MediShield Life and MediSave limits, along with CHAS subsidies, are periodically reviewed to keep pace with rising healthcare costs. The Ministry of Health publishes annual hospital bill data for surgeries and inpatient conditions, and will consider expanding this transparency to more procedures.

Dr. Choo Pei Ling raised concerns about the implications of the US government shutdown on food and medicine imports to Singapore and how the Ministry ensures their safety. Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that Singapore has independent processes to ensure the safety of imported food and medicines, including accreditation for high-risk food sources and regular monitoring by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) registers medicines to ensure they meet strict international standards and conducts ongoing checks. Both agencies are prepared to take swift regulatory action to protect public health if necessary.

Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked about the possibility of implementing stricter penalties for individuals providing unlicensed aesthetic treatments due to their growing demand. He also inquired about reviewing regulations for aesthetic procedures and introducing psychological screening guidelines for patients to address the risks of cosmetic procedure addiction. Ong Ye Kung responded that registered medical and dental practitioners are regulated under the Healthcare Services Act, and unauthorized providers already face significant penalties. The Ministry of Health will continue to monitor and review these penalties to ensure effectiveness while maintaining public safety. He highlighted that practitioners must adhere to ethical guidelines to assess patients' psychological well-being before performing aesthetic procedures.

He Ting Ru raised concerns about increasing suicide rates among adults aged 30 to 39 and requested information on measures being taken to address this issue. Ong Ye Kung acknowledged that suicide has multiple factors and is not linked to a single cause. The Institute of Mental Health recently released a study identifying risk factors and warning signs to help families and friends provide timely support for at-risk individuals. Effective interventions for all age groups include building mental resilience, recognizing early warning signs, encouraging help-seeking, and supporting individuals in crisis. The Ministry of Health plans to continue collaborating with relevant agencies to enhance suicide prevention efforts.

Rachel Ong raised concerns about the risks of generative AI models to the mental health and safety of children and youths in Singapore, inquiring about current and potential safeguarding measures. Josephine Teo responded that the government is assessing the impact of generative AI on young people and has established age assurance measures set to be implemented by March 2026 to limit underage access to inappropriate apps. Existing frameworks like the Model AI Governance Framework also guide responsible AI use in the context of online safety for youths. Additionally, education initiatives, such as Cyber Wellness and Mental Health lessons in schools, aim to promote safe and responsible technology use among students. The government continues to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance online safety for all Singaporeans.

Hany Soh raised concerns about the need for greater regulation and supervision of cord blood bank services due to risks of irreversible damage from potential lapses. Ong Ye Kung responded that the Healthcare Services (Cord Blood Banking Service) regulations 2021 align with international standards to ensure the quality and safety of stored cord blood units. The Ministry of Health conducts regular audits and inspections, and any lapses, such as those identified with Cordlife, are addressed promptly within the regulatory framework. He emphasized that cord blood banking is a private commercial service, and related contractual matters fall outside the Ministry's oversight. The Ministry will work with Cordlife to address its lapses and improve their quality management.

Dennis Tan Lip Fong raised a question about improving alignment between insurance companies' commercial interests and the needs of doctors and patients, particularly regarding experimental treatments for chronic diseases. Ong Ye Kung responded that experimental treatments lack rigorous assessment for safety and efficacy, making it unsuitable for funding under mainstream insurance schemes. Such treatments are usually supported via research grants and are provided to selected patients.

The debate centered on proposed amendments to the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Act, focusing on enhancing the national long-term care insurance scheme. The key points include the introduction of a 4% annual payout growth rate to improve financial protection against rising long-term care costs, with discussions on ensuring premiums remain affordable. There is a reinstatement of stricter underwriting criteria, limiting coverage for those born before 1980 with pre-existing disabilities, which has raised concerns about fairness for older Singaporeans. Lawmakers emphasized the need for transparency, regular reviews of premiums and payouts, and enhancements to caregiver support, as well as the importance of preventive health measures. Many members expressed the need for a coherent system that provides comprehensive care while ensuring that the administration of CareShield Life remains user-friendly and accessible for all Singaporeans.

Hamid Razak urged the Ministry of Health to consider a tiered approach for MediSave withdrawal limits, factoring in age and the number of chronic conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP). The Minister of State for Health explained that the current MediSave500/700 scheme is already tiered for chronic condition management, with limits of $500 for non-complex cases and $700 for complex cases. Older patients benefit from the Flexi-MediSave scheme, which will raise the withdrawal limit from $300 to $400 in 2025, and there will be an increase in the annual outpatient scan limit from $300 to $600 in 2026. The Ministry is actively monitoring trends in chronic diseases across different age groups to inform future adjustments to the Flexi-MediSave scheme.

Dr. Hamid Razak asked the Minister for Manpower about the number of migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore seeking treatment for mental health issues and any legal challenges they face in doing so from 2021 to 2025. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary reported that fewer than 20 MDWs sought such assistance annually between 2022 and 2024, and no legal issues were encountered during this process. MDWs' access to medical treatment, including mental health, is protected under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which mandates employer coverage of medical expenses. Hamid Razak expressed concerns regarding feedback about MDWs citing mental health issues for secondary employment and suggested that mental health assessments be considered as part of pre-employment evaluations in the future, to which Shawn Huang responded that MDWs are currently required to declare any mental health conditions during pre-employment medical exams.

• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is enhancing measures for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of Occupational Diseases (ODs).
• The number of workplaces under the proactive health surveillance program will increase from 1,200 in 2020 to 3,500 by 2025.
• Updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of ODs will provide better support for healthcare professionals.
• All occupational infectious diseases and work-related musculoskeletal disorders will be classified as reportable and compensable ODs starting December 2025.
• MOM is collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and industry partners, to improve OD management.

• Dr. Choo Pei Ling inquired about childhood obesity rates categorized by age, ethnicity, and social income, and sought information on the Ministry's plans to enhance preventive measures.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung reported that in 2024, 13% of children are classified as overweight or severely overweight based on BMI data.
• The government is actively monitoring childhood obesity and has implemented initiatives like Grow Well SG, which focuses on nutrition, sleep, screen time, and physical activity to promote healthy habits.
• Additional programs, such as Healthy Meals in Schools and KidSTART, aim to support families and improve children's health outcomes, particularly for those with fewer resources.

• Ms. Mariam Jaafar inquired about the differences in MediSave adequacy at age 65 across income groups and the risk of lower-income seniors exhausting their MediSave balances.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that MediSave adequacy varies based on individual health needs and lifespan, making age 65 an inadequate benchmark for assessment.
• He noted that lower-income individuals may save less in MediSave but benefit from higher healthcare subsidies and initiatives to help build their balances, such as the MediSave Bonus and the upcoming Matched MediSave Scheme.
• Ong assured that safety nets like MediFund are available for those who exhaust their MediSave balances, ensuring access to necessary healthcare regardless of financial status.

• Ms. Mariam Jaafar inquired about the number of Singaporeans aged 65 with less than the Basic Healthcare Sum (BHS) and the plans for reviewing the BHS.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that 55% of active Singaporean CPF members aged 65 have accumulated MediSave funds up to the BHS.
• The Basic Healthcare Sum is reviewed annually to ensure it meets the basic healthcare needs of members at age 65.