Health

3,662 debates and bills about health

5 Aug 2026

Impact of Gender Dysphoria Treatment Guidelines on Existing Patient Treatment Plans and Transitional Arrangements for Affected Children and Adolescents

Victor Lye asked about treatment changes, discontinuations, and transitional arrangements for patients under new gender dysphoria guidelines.
Minister Ong Ye Kung referred to earlier written response from 5 August 2026, giving no new details.

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5 Aug 2026

Data on Children with End-Stage Heart Failure and Proposal for National Paediatric Heart Transplant Programme Across NUH, KKH and National Heart Centre Singapore

12 children with end-stage heart failure received mechanical support or overseas referral in 10 years.
MOH will study the need and feasibility of a national paediatric heart transplant programme.
Considering patient volume, clinical outcomes, expertise, and long-term sustainability.

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5 Aug 2026

Bridging Gap Between Mental Health Awareness and Help-Seeking Behaviours Through Earlier Policy Intervention Approaches

Awareness and willingness to seek help rose, but gap duration untracked.
Public education campaigns and First Stop services promote earlier intervention.
Mindline 1771 improves wayfinding to mental health support.

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5 Aug 2026

Breakdown of 2025 MediShield Life Premium Revisions on Net Premiums Payable by Income Decile, and Quantity of Unsubsidised Policyholders

Government gave $4.1B extra MediShield Life support; over 9 in 10 Singaporeans see net premium increases offset by MediSave top-ups.
Data by income decile unavailable; ~60% of lower- and middle-income households and seniors receive subsidies.

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5 Aug 2026

Out-of-pocket Healthcare Expenditure by Income Quintile over Past Five Years and Proportion of Households Exceeding 10% of Household Income Threshold

MOH shared 2023 Household Expenditure Survey data on out-of-pocket healthcare costs by income quintile.
No monitoring of households exceeding 10% of income on healthcare.
Needy patients can seek MediFund help through medical social workers.

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5 Aug 2026

Public Healthcare Pathways for Special Educational Needs Assessment for Children, and Wait Times from Referral to Therapy and Between Therapy Sessions

For ages 7+, SEN assessment via school referral to REACH/public clinics; parents can self-refer.
Wait times: 1-4 months referral to assessment; 2 weeks-3 months assessment to therapy.
Wait between therapy sessions varies by intervention; not tracked.

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5 Aug 2026

Expansion and Upgrade of Paediatric A&E Facilities in Public Hospitals to Support Children and Caregivers during Emergency Visits

Paediatric expertise is consolidated at KKH and NUH; other hospitals stabilise patients before transfer.
NUH Children Emergency completed renovations; KKH Children Emergency renovation is underway.
Upgraded facilities aim to better support children and caregivers during emergency visits.

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5 Aug 2026

Process for Seeking Redress When Patients are Affected by Lapses that Caused Harm

Minister cited prior nursing home reply on patient redress; no new integrated workflow.

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5 Aug 2026

Formulation, Implementation and Outcome Monitoring of New Treatment Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria

MOH issued gender dysphoria guidelines requiring multidisciplinary teams and Treatment Review Panels for children and adolescents.
Guidelines drew on NHS England and international reviews, endorsed by Academy of Medicine Singapore.
Existing patients continue treatment while panels are set up; full guidelines remain professional guidance only.

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5 Aug 2026

Proposal for Rebranding of IMH To Drive Help-seeking

Asked if IMH's name and branding affect stigma or willingness to seek help.
Ministry is studying rebranding IMH, recognizing its role as key national mental health institution.

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5 Aug 2026

Suitability of Key Appointment Holders after Revocation of Nursing Homes' Licences and Maintenance of Registry of Lapses

MOH assesses if key personnel who caused nursing home lapses remain fit for similar roles.
No public registry exists, as isolated regulatory actions may mislead.
MOH will study balanced ways to share accurate care quality information.

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5 Aug 2026

Continuum of Care for Residents Displaced by Revocations of Nursing Home Licences

For displaced nursing home residents, AIC explains relocation, arranges alternatives, and reassures families.
Transferring home pays transport and medical costs, and hands over medical records.
Interim care by Vanguard Healthcare is regulated and monitored by MOH.

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5 Aug 2026

Consolidating Patients' Specialist Care at Single Hospital or Campus

81% of patients see one institution; 17% two; 2% three or more.
Multi-institution care due to national centres or specialist preferences.
Hospitals consolidate care into one campus when clinically appropriate.

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5 Aug 2026

Incidence of Residents Delaying or Forgoing Recommended Healthcare Due to Cost

MOH does not track residents delaying or forgoing healthcare due to cost.
It uses affordability indicators, like out-of-pocket shares and subsidised care costs.
Safety nets, including MediFund, ensure no Singaporean loses access to care.

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5 Aug 2026

Funding Allocation for Student Mental Health and Well-being Programmes

MOE allocates mental health funding through manpower and operating grants, not separate budgets.
No per-student quantum is tracked, as support is woven into daily school life.
Student well-being is a whole-of-Government effort extending beyond MOE’s budget.

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5 Aug 2026

Adequacy of MediSave Withdrawal Limit for Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans

MediSave limit for outpatient CT/MRI scans raised to $600, covering 9 in 10 subsidized bills.
MOH has no data on exhaustion yet; MediFund helps those with ongoing financial difficulty.

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5 Aug 2026

Measures Beyond Existing Haze Response Plans to be Activated for Public Health Given Recent Outlook Report

Haze risk rising due to drier El Niño weather; winds currently not directing smoke to Singapore.
Existing haze plans stand ready with mask stockpiles and air purifiers for schools and care facilities.
Public communications enhanced via media, apps, and advisories to keep schools and employers informed.

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5 Aug 2026

Psychological Safety Indicators to Complement Existing Workplace Well-being Initiatives

MOM will not develop national psychological safety benchmarks, preferring holistic workplace mental well-being assessments.
iWorkHealth helps employers identify psychosocial risks, including psychological safety, with recommendations.
Government, employers, and unions must collaborate to foster safe mental health discussions at work.

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5 Aug 2026

Lowering Home Caregiving Grant Eligibility Threshold to Two Activities of Daily Living in Selected Cases

Government maintains Home Caregiving Grant's three-ADL threshold for consistency and fairness.
Declines appeals for two-ADL cases, citing other schemes like Home Personal Care for support.
These alternative subsidies are not ADL-tied, covering devices, respite, and temporary care needs.

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5 Aug 2026

Frequency of Cancer Drug List Reviews and Updates

Cancer Drug List updated thrice yearly; prices cut by 30% average, 400 pairings listed.
Tracks overseas drug approvals and allows clinician submissions for rare cancers to match international standards.
Insurers still impose paperwork despite CDL; MOH will explore streamlining processes.

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