Health

He Ting Ru raised concerns about the significant difference between provisional and actual suicide statistics for 2023, seeking updates on improving data accuracy and explanations for the disparities to inform suicide prevention policies. K Shanmugam explained that provisional suicide numbers are based on confirmed cases at publication and do not include pending unnatural deaths awaiting Coroner's Inquiry results, which may later be classified as suicides. He noted that the finalized suicide figures will generally be higher than the provisional numbers and that future reports will include explanatory notes from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority.

Rachel Ong asked if the Ministry of Education plans to mandate vape detectors in schools and if students caught vaping have access to counselling. Sharael Taha inquired about improving detection methods, the implementation of nicotine test kits, fostering peer support, and aiding identified vape users. Desmond Lee highlighted that schools use various detection strategies rather than solely relying on technology, and they implement educational measures alongside disciplinary actions, which will include increased measures starting September 2025. Students seeking help to quit vaping will not face penalties, and comprehensive support, including counselling and external resources, will be provided to facilitate rehabilitation and prevent recidivism. The Ministry aims for a balanced approach, integrating prevention, detection, and support within school policy.

He Ting Ru sought information on the National Mental Health Office's efforts to consolidate suicide data and develop a national suicide prevention strategy. Ong Ye Kung explained that a whole-of-society approach is being taken, including public awareness campaigns and training for supporters to help those in crisis. The recently launched National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy aims to support all demographics through a Tiered Care Model tailored to varying mental health needs. Ongoing reviews will assess the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat raised questions regarding the criteria for having more than one full-time school counselor, the adequacy of current allocations, whether independent audits have been conducted, and if the Ministry of Education will meet the ASCA's recommended counselor-to-student ratio. Desmond Lee stated that the Ministry is committed to supporting students' mental well-being through integrated mental health education and a needs-based staffing approach for counselors. Each school has one or two counselors based on needs, with the Ministry conducting annual reviews of counselor deployment. The Government is enhancing mental health support for youths through community resources and the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, focusing on seamless care delivery and improving access to services.

Alex Yeo expressed gratitude for the residents of Potong Pasir while discussing the need for improved health and social support for seniors, emphasizing the importance of preventive healthcare and the launch of a Community Preventive Healthcare Programme. He advocated for a review of the means-testing framework for government healthcare subsidies to better reflect the financial situations of seniors, particularly in light of changing demographics. Yeo called for an environment that supports seniors’ well-being, including the creation of Age Well Neighbourhoods. He highlighted the challenges faced by youth today due to excessive screen time and social isolation, urging for community spaces to foster face-to-face interactions among children, youth, and seniors. Edward Chia emphasized the critical role of SMEs in Singapore's economy and proposed eight recommendations aimed at providing targeted support, fostering collaboration, relieving regulatory burdens, and improving payment terms to help SMEs thrive amid economic challenges.

• Dr. Wan Rizal inquired about the rates of workplace burnout across industries and measures to address excessive working hours and promote mental well-being.
• The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) does not systematically collect burnout data but has developed the iWorkHealth tool, which indicates that about one in three employees experience work-related stress or burnout.
• Participation in iWorkHealth is voluntary, and MOM is encouraging greater adoption to better understand employee mental well-being.
• MOM has implemented various measures to promote workplace mental well-being, including flexible work arrangements and after-hours communication policies, with over 90% of surveyed firms adopting at least one measure.
• The Ministry will continue to collaborate with partners to monitor the effectiveness of these initiatives and explore further enhancements.

• Edward Chia Bing Hui inquired about the entitlement of workers attending vaping rehabilitation sessions to have these sessions recognized as medical leave.
• The Minister for Manpower, Tan See Leng, clarified that under the Employment Act, only employees with a medical certificate are eligible for paid sick leave.
• Employees attending rehabilitation sessions will not receive medical certificates and should negotiate leave arrangements with their employers, such as using annual leave or taking no-pay leave.

• The Government has launched the Grow Well SG initiative to support parents in managing children's screen use and promoting healthy behaviors from an early age.
• Various resources, including practical parenting tips and community talks, are available to help parents guide their children's screen use and suggest alternative activities.
• The effectiveness of these parental education programs is still being monitored, and there are currently no plans to mandate them for new parents due to varying family needs.
• New parents will receive a parenting journal with resources on healthy habits, including guidelines on screen use for infants, as part of the SG60 Baby Gift Pack.
• The Government aims to engage with parents to better understand their challenges and enhance support for developing healthier screen time habits.

• Ms. Mariam Jaafar inquired about the median waiting time for appointments at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) through various channels.
• The channels mentioned include telephone, email, Health Hub self-service, IMH Online Appointment Form, and referrals from GPs or polyclinics.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that the current median waiting time for appointments at IMH is 25 days across all referral channels.

• Ms. Mariam Jaafar inquired about the regular assessment of service quality levels for telephone calls to the Institute of Mental Health's Main and Outpatient Appointment Lines, focusing on key metrics over the past two years.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed that IMH conducts monthly assessments of these lines as part of their service quality monitoring.
• Recent increases in call abandonment rates and average handling times were attributed to higher call volumes and a transition to a new IT system.
• IMH is implementing measures to enhance call management, including increasing manpower and improving operational processes.
• Caller satisfaction will be monitored through post-call surveys starting in late 2025.

• Ms. Hany Soh inquired about the success rates of Assisted Conception Procedures (ACP) at public hospitals, specifically regarding cases exceeding co-funded scheme cycle limits and those within the limits over the past three years.
• She requested detailed statistics from the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung provided data on Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) cycles from 2021 to 2023.

• Ms. Hany Soh inquired about the number of IVF embryos discarded in the past five years due to couples divorcing or the death of a spouse.
• The Ministry of Health does not keep records on the number of embryos discarded for these reasons.
• Embryos are either donated or discarded based on the couple's written instructions if the Assisted Reproduction centres are informed of such circumstances.

• Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik inquired about the current utilisation rate of home nursing services and plans for expansion.
• Ong Ye Kung reported that as of June 2025, the utilisation rate for subsidised home nursing services is approximately 80%.
• The home nursing capacity is regularly reviewed to ensure it meets the demand.

• Dr. Hamid Razak inquired about targeted support measures under Grow Well SG for children from vulnerable families and the potential for partnerships to enhance access to healthy lifestyle interventions.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized that Grow Well SG is a universal initiative aimed at benefiting all children, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who lack access to preventive health services.
• The program includes personalized Health Plans for Primary 1 to 3 students, with plans to expand to other age groups in the future.
• There is a collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to provide additional health support for ComLink+ families, promoting healthy habits and access to health services for their children.

• Concerns were raised about the increasing number of youths vaping and the need for rehabilitative programs and support to address nicotine addiction and peer pressure.
• Questions were posed regarding the effectiveness of the Health Promotion Board's QuitLine and other agencies in helping individuals quit vaping, particularly with etomidate-laced products.
• The government was asked to assess the risks associated with manufacturing etomidate and its analogues in Singapore and to consider phasing out etomidate in medical use.
• There was inquiry into the number of vapes disposed of that contained etomidate and whether individuals surrendering such vapes would continue to face no penalties.
• The Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health provided responses to these inquiries in a previous parliamentary session.

• Mr. Fadli Fawzi raised concerns about the regulation of Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), specifically questioning the government's stance on disallowing unlimited coverage for non-cancer treatments.
• He inquired about the sufficiency of existing laws against profiteering and anti-competitive behaviors among healthcare providers and insurers, and how Singapore's regulatory framework compares to other developed nations.
• Fadli also asked whether the government plans to regulate the use of panel specialists by IP insurers, including requirements for the number of specialists and contract durations.
• Minister Ong Ye Kung acknowledged the complexity of the private healthcare and insurance landscape, noting issues like rising hospital bills and premiums, and promised to address these concerns in a future parliamentary session.

• The CareShield Life and Long-Term Care (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the existing CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Act 2019.
• The bill was presented by the Senior Minister of State for Health, Dr. Koh Poh Koon, on behalf of the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health.
• The bill was read for the first time and is scheduled to be read a second time at the next available sitting of Parliament.

• The Singapore government is intensifying efforts to combat vaping, particularly among youths, with recent statistics showing a significant number of arrests and cases of possession or use of e-vaporisers, especially among individuals under 25.
• A whole-of-Government approach has been launched, including measures to curb online sales, enhance border enforcement, and classify etomidate as a Class C controlled drug to strengthen penalties against related offences.
• Public engagement initiatives like the "Bin The Vape" program have led to the surrender of thousands of e-vaporisers, and rehabilitation programs have been introduced to support users seeking help.
• The Ministry of Health is collaborating with various agencies to address the challenges posed by underground sales and the evolving landscape of substance abuse linked to vaping.
• Future legislation is planned to provide comprehensive legal powers for enforcement against e-vaporisers and to ensure mandatory rehabilitation for offenders, with a focus on preventive education in schools.

• The Ministry of Health (MOH) is focused on transforming Singapore's healthcare system to ensure it remains high quality, accessible, and affordable amid an aging population and increasing patient load.
• Plans include expanding healthcare infrastructure by adding 2,800 hospital beds, opening six new polyclinics, and increasing the nursing home capacity by 10,000 beds by 2030.
• MOH aims to grow the healthcare workforce by 20% and enhance the capabilities of healthcare professionals, with a focus on Family Medicine and patient-centered care models.
• The ministry is committed to adopting technology, including AI and precision medicine, to improve healthcare delivery and preventive care, while also expanding initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG to promote healthier lifestyles and support seniors.
• MOH will review existing healthcare financing systems to ensure affordability and address issues of over-servicing in private healthcare, shifting care delivery towards community-based preventive care.