Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

6 Aug 2024

Review of Dengue Prevention Strategies to Ameliorate Dengue Infection Rate Given Heightened Numbers in 2024

The Ministry highlighted that dengue cases in 2024 have already exceeded the total for 2023, driven by high Aedes mosquito populations, low population immunity to all four dengue serotypes, and warm, humid weather that accelerates mosquito breeding and virus multiplication.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has intensified efforts, including collaborating with Town Councils for inspections and flushing of drains, launching the National Dengue Prevention Campaign earlier than usual, and using volunteers and digital platforms to raise public awareness.
These collective measures have shown positive results, with a 20.8% drop in dengue cases and a 16% reduction in clusters in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter.
Project Wolbachia, which uses mosquito releases to suppress the Aedes aegypti population, has achieved 80-90% reductions in study sites and is being expanded to cover 480,000 households, though further studies are needed to improve cost-effectiveness before wider deployment.
The Ministry emphasized that while initiatives like Project Wolbachia are promising, sustained community action—such as removing stagnant water and taking personal precautions—remains essential to curb dengue transmission.

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6 Aug 2024

Details on Assisted Living Government Sandbox Initiative

The Shared Stay-in Senior Care Services sandbox was launched in September 2023 to enable seniors to age in the community and support families with caregiving, reducing the default reliance on institutional care.
The sandbox offers work pass flexibilities for companies to test different manpower deployment models, with caregivers not required to be professional healthcare workers and training available through grants and community networks.
Four companies have onboarded since the start of 2023, serving about 200 clients, and the scheme will be reviewed after one year to decide on future steps, including scalability and manpower needs.

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6 Aug 2024

Measures to Address and Mitigate Risks of Social Media Addiction among Students

Edward Chia asked the Ministry of Education about measures to address and mitigate social media addiction risks among students, especially on short video platforms.
Chan Chun Sing highlighted that Cyber Wellness lessons teach students to balance online and offline activities, recognize digital risks, and avoid excessive social media use to protect their mental and emotional well-being.
Schools provide support through trained counsellors who assist students at risk of excessive social media use, collaborate with parents, and refer them to community resources for specialized help.
Parents are emphasized as key guides in monitoring their children’s online activities, with schools sharing resources and strategies to help parents manage technology use.

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6 Aug 2024

Data on Doctor Representation, Claim Rules and Premium Charges of Integrated Shield Insurance Plans

The Minister acknowledged concerns about rising premiums and unsustainable healthcare costs, noting that private Integrated Shield Plans are commercially driven and that MOH can only facilitate informed choices by publishing premiums and coverage annually rather than mandating fair increases.
MOH stated that expanding doctor panels or claims for more specialties could worsen cost inflation, encouraged consumers to consult insurers directly for panel information, and suggested consumer groups create platforms for sharing insurance experiences instead of a government-run system.
Policyholders have recourse through insurer appeals, the Clinical Claims Resolution Process for clinical disputes, and the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre for contractual issues, with penalties for insurers that delay or deny claims unfairly.
The government emphasized that all policyholders can access subsidised public hospital care regardless of insurance disputes, and highlighted the need for co-payment, consumer education, and responsible consumption to break the cycle of rising costs.

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6 Aug 2024

Improving Access to Fertility Preservation for Young Cancer Patients

Dr. Tan Wu Meng highlighted that about 1,000 young cancer patients under 40 are diagnosed annually in Singapore, with fertility often compromised by life-saving treatments, and currently fertility preservation is not covered under MediShield Life or most insurance plans as it is deemed optional.
He proposed that the government work with insurers to cover fertility preservation under Integrated Shield Plans, arguing it restores natural biological function similar to reconstructive surgery after accidents, and suggested front-loading government co-funding for unmarried patients who need egg freezing.
Other recommendations included collaborating with banks to provide interest-free loans for young cancer patients facing cash flow issues, and enhancing philanthropic support through higher tax deductions or matching grants, similar to the Rare Disease Fund model.
Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam acknowledged the challenges faced by young cancer patients and outlined existing government support, including co-funding for assisted reproduction treatments and MediSave use, while noting that MOH will study the proposals to extend support for fertility preservation.
The debate concluded with Parliament adjourning, reflecting a commitment to continue reviewing policies to support the parenthood aspirations of all Singaporeans, including young cancer patients.

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2 Jul 2024

GP Clinics in HDB Shopping and Office Complexes Not Operating After Office Hours or on Sundays and Public Holidays

Ms Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for National Development how many HDB shopping and office complexes with GP clinics do not have any clinics operating after office hours, on Sundays, or public holidays.
Minister Desmond Lee explained that HDB plans for at least one GP clinic in every neighbourhood centre and precinct shop cluster, located in shopping complexes or commercial units.
Out of 34 HDB shopping and office complexes, 31 have GP clinics, with 28 having at least one clinic operating after office hours.
Of these 28, 26 have at least one clinic open on Sundays or both Sundays and public holidays.

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2 Jul 2024

Extending Home Caregiving Grant to Individuals with Neurological Conditions Requiring Assistance with IADLs

Gerald Giam asked whether individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions who can perform basic daily activities but need help with instrumental tasks could qualify for the Home Caregiving Grant, and if not, whether the grant should be expanded.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living is a sound basis for assessing eligibility for the Home Caregiving Grant, as it is a broad-based scheme.
He added that instrumental activities involve different tasks like managing finances or housekeeping, and other schemes exist to support those needs.
Ong Ye Kung suggested that specific cases deserving the grant could be surfaced to the ministry for consideration.

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2 Jul 2024

Update on COVID-19 Infections, Hospitalisations and Vaccination Status

Liang Eng Hwa asked for 2024 peak COVID-19 infection and hospitalisation numbers, the count of people not vaccinated in the last two years, and the number of Healthier SG clinics offering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the questions had already been addressed in his oral reply on 2 July 2024, referring to an official report on health controls amid rising infections.
The debate centred on seeking updated public health data and vaccination access information amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns in Singapore.

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2 Jul 2024

Funding for Institute of Mental Health Studies on Suicide and Self-Harm and Outcome of Studies

Dennis Tan asked about the funding provided to the Institute of Mental Health over the past three years for studies on suicide and self-harm risk and prevention factors, and when the study outcomes would be publicly reported.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the Ministry of Health gave about $1.6 million for two such research studies in the past three years.
He confirmed both studies are ongoing and their outcomes are projected to be ready by the end of 2025.

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2 Jul 2024

Rationale Behind Cessation of Gender Confirmation Surgery in Public Hospitals and Potential Reinstatement

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim sought clarification on the specific reasons for the cessation of gender confirmation surgery in public hospitals in 2014 and whether the Ministry plans to reinstate it with subsidies.
Ong Ye Kung stated that gender reassignment surgery has been offered by public hospitals for medically necessary cases but was never part of any subsidy scheme.
The debate highlights a focus on the historical provision and subsidy status of the surgery in public healthcare settings.

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2 Jul 2024

Progress in Integrating Health and Social Services to Better Support Child and Maternal Health

Dr Wan Rizal inquired about the progress, challenges, and solutions for integrating health and social services to better support child and maternal health.
He also asked about steps being taken to address rising maternal age and low birth weight despite Singapore’s low maternal and infant mortality rates.
Minister Ong Ye Kung indicated that these questions were addressed in his earlier oral reply on 2 July 2024, referring to the relevant official report.

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2 Jul 2024

Estimated Cost Impact on Public Healthcare System from Adding Risdiplam on List of Subsidised Drugs

Ong Hua Han inquired how the Ministry of Health's Drug Advisory Committee estimated the annual cost impact of listing risdiplam on the subsidised drugs list to be $5 million to $10 million in the first five years.
Ong Ye Kung directed the questioner to a prior official reply given on 2 July 2024 regarding the annual cost of risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy treatment and the Drug Advisory Committee's decisions.
The debate summary indicates that the specific cost estimation methodology was not reiterated in this session but referenced to an earlier documented parliamentary response.

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2 Jul 2024

Status of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Singaporeans and Reasons for Not Taking Additional Booster Shots

Only 15% of seniors aged 60 and above have received more than four COVID-19 vaccination doses as of June 2024, with many Singaporeans reluctant to take additional boosters due to vaccine fatigue and a desire to move past the pandemic, driven by perceptions that COVID-19 is less severe and concerns about vaccine side-effects.
The Minister emphasized that COVID-19 remains serious and annual vaccination is recommended for seniors and the vulnerable, noting that side-effects are rare and often confused with pre-existing conditions, while highlighting that vaccination has prevented severe illness and that healthy lifestyles are crucial for prevention.
The government is promoting vaccination through fully-funded programs, social media reminders, mobile teams, and leveraging Healthier SG clinics to build a vaccination culture and maintain societal resilience against the ongoing pandemic.

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2 Jul 2024

Overseas Best Practices Explored to Expand Local Psychologists' Scope

Mr Yip Hon Weng questioned whether the Ministry of Health has explored international best practices to expand the scope for psychologists in Singapore.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed the Ministry benchmarks against global models, citing Australia's mental health care systems as a reference.
He highlighted the Tiered Care Model under Singapore's National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy was developed with overseas examples in mind.

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2 Jul 2024

Counsellor-Student Ratio in Schools and Percentage of Students Seeking Help

Hazel Poa asked about the current counsellor-student ratio across schools, the percentage of schools with two or more counsellors, the percentage of students seeking help, and changes since 2020.
Chan Chun Sing stated that schools are resourced with one or two counsellors based on need, with additional support from flexi-adjunct or teacher-counsellors.
About one-third of schools have had two school counsellors since 2020, with an average of 1.5% of students approaching counsellors annually during this period.

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2 Jul 2024

Request for Opening Hours to be Assessment Criterion for GP Clinic Tenders at Woodlands North Plaza

Mariam Jaafar requested that HDB consider making clinic opening hours a criterion for new tenders or tenancy renewals at Woodlands North Plaza to ensure access during evenings, weekends, and public holidays, and asked for interim measures before current tenancies end.
Desmond Lee responded that clinic hours are business decisions and not part of HDB's assessment criteria, but HDB works with operators to understand constraints and explore solutions to meet local needs.
He noted that the three clinics at Woodlands North Plaza wish to continue serving residents but face manpower challenges in extending hours beyond office times.
Residents needing urgent care after hours can use the 24-hour clinic at Block 768 Woodlands Avenue 6 or search for other clinics via the Community Health Assist Scheme clinic locator or HealthHub.

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2 Jul 2024

Numbers Who Seek Dental Healthcare and Review of Subsidy for Dental Services

Miss Cheryl Chan asked about the percentage of Singapore Citizens who sought dental treatment in 2012 versus 2023, the tracking of employee dental benefits, and the timeline for reviewing dental subsidy frameworks.
The Ministry of Health reported stable dental visit rates from 2019 to 2023, with slight increases among those aged 18–49 and stable rates among those aged 50–74, noting no data before 2019.
MOH does not track private sector dental benefits, while public sector employees receive $120 annual dental benefits, with periodic reviews by the Public Service Division.
The regulatory framework for outpatient dental services was reviewed and updated in June 2023, and MOH conducts periodic reviews of dental policies, including financing.

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2 Jul 2024

Regulations on Social Media Platforms to Protect Children from Potential Addiction and Harmful Content

The government has implemented the Online Safety Code requiring designated social media platforms to protect children from harmful content through measures like restrictive account settings and content management tools, with compliance reports due by end-July 2024.
Authorities are studying age assurance methods to better enforce age restrictions on social media, recognizing current reliance on user self-declaration is insufficient for protecting children.
The government is adopting a holistic strategy to address social media addiction, including providing community support services like counselling and specialized programs for affected youths and their families.
Upstream measures are being developed where the Ministries of Health and Social and Family Development will provide clearer guidance on device usage and screen time for young children across healthcare settings and preschools.
The government emphasizes prevention by planning to make device usage advice more definitive and consistently delivered to parents even before a child is born, focusing on shaping early habits.

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2 Jul 2024

Availability of Fit-to-drive Eye Examination Information to Medical Practitioners and Maintaining Standard of Testing for Such Checks

The Ministry for Home Affairs currently requires motorists aged 65 and above to undergo a medical examination for driving licence revalidation but does not permit medical practitioners to access the National Electronic Health Records for this purpose, as such access is reserved for direct patient care.
The frequency of medical examinations is under review, with heavy vehicle drivers aged 65–75 requiring annual checks and those above 75 prohibited from driving heavy vehicles, while other licence classes require examinations every three years.
The Ministry does not plan to limit examinations to specialty clinics, as the assessment does not require special medical expertise.

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2 Jul 2024

Annual Cost of Taking Risdiplam for Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Decisions on Drug Advisory Committee Recommendations

The annual cost of risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy treatment in Singapore is approximately S$375,000 per patient, with subsidies up to 75% available from August 2024 under the Medication Assistance Fund.
The Standard Drug List Subsidy Framework is supplemented by additional financial assistance options like MediFund for patients facing affordability issues post-subsidy.
The Ministry of Health regularly accepts the Drug Advisory Committee’s evidence-based recommendations, considering factors such as clinical need, effectiveness, and budget impact, with submissions made three to four times yearly.

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