Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

2 Aug 2023

Studies on Direct Correlation Between Employee Wellness and Productivity in Workplace

The Ministry of Manpower has collected data since 2021 using the iWorkHealth tool, which surveys employee well-being and identifies workplace stressors, showing that employees with work stress or burnout take 1.25 to 1.5 more medical days annually and face two to 2.5 times more accidents or near-misses compared to those without such issues.
International studies indicate a positive link between employee well-being and productivity, supporting the government’s focus on workplace wellness initiatives.
Employers are encouraged to use tools like iWorkHealth to address stressors, and the Workplace Safety and Health Council offers support for measuring the impact of workplace transformation on employee well-being.

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2 Aug 2023

Plans to Introduce Mandatory Mental Health Awareness and Training Programmes for Employers and Managers

Wan Rizal asked the Ministry of Manpower about plans to introduce mandatory mental health awareness and training for employers and managers, and the challenges of such an approach.
The Ministry stated there are no current plans for mandatory programmes, citing the diverse needs of businesses and the lack of a one-size-fits-all solution for mental health support.
Instead, the Ministry encourages workplaces to appoint Mental Well-being Champions, offers free or subsidised training, and provides guidance through the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being.
The Ministry also emphasised the shared responsibility of workers, families, and colleagues in supporting mental well-being alongside employer efforts.

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6 Jul 2023

Incidents of Abuse of Workers in Public Healthcare Sector

Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health about studies on the under-reporting of abuse incidents in public healthcare and the assessment of actual incidence rates.
Ong Ye Kung cited a 2022 Ministry of Health survey of 3,000 healthcare workers, which found that 24% reported abuse incidents.
The Ministry emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of healthcare workers in response to the query.

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6 Jul 2023

Ratio of Senior Citizens to Available Day Care and Community-assisted Living Services

The Minister reported that 8,700 day care and 12,300 home care places are available, with about 5,200 new day care and 5,400 new home care places added since 2015.
The Government will expand aged care capacity and enhance home-based care to enable seniors to stay at home longer, including developing Community Care Apartments.
The Ministry of Health plans to collaborate with agencies and providers to offer social and community support as part of building a comprehensive aged care system.

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6 Jul 2023

Regulations for Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Services

The Ministry of Health uses a risk-based approach, regulating clinical genetic testing but not direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests for general wellness, ancestry, or nutrigenomic purposes, while issuing guidance on good practices and risks.
Consumers are advised to assess test suitability and quality, read terms carefully, and consult providers or doctors, as the government emphasizes a caveat emptor approach for non-clinical tests.
MOH will monitor DTC developments and review regulations, including potential enhancements through the Health Information Bill, to ensure public safety, privacy, and welfare.

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6 Jul 2023

Review of Means-tested Thresholds for Annual Values of Properties Following Revision of Annual Values

Mr. Gerald Giam questioned why means-testing thresholds for healthcare subsidies haven't been raised despite IRAS's 2023 upward revision of property annual values (AVs) and asked why 2022 AVs are used instead of 2023 values for households with zero per capita income.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that agencies continue using 2022 AVs for 2023 means-testing due to the recent revision, with a review of social support schemes planned later in the year, and assured that households with zero income will not be worse off even if their 2023 AV is unavailable.
Mr. Giam further asked whether households with minimal income (e.g., $1) are still subject to AV criteria, to which the response indicated that while a cut-off exists, assessments aim to be fair and non-draconian, with appeals and backend processes ensuring support for those in need.
The Ministry clarified that removing the AV component for low-income households is under broader consideration, but AV remains a proxy for means, and alternative non-means-tested support exists for seniors, such as higher outpatient subsidies and Pioneer/Merdeka Generation benefits.

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5 Jul 2023

Subsidies for Continuous Glucose Monitoring under Chronic Disease Management Programme

Dennis Tan asked whether the Ministry would subsidize Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) instead of finger-prick monitoring.
Ong Ye Kung stated that CGM devices are costly and their health outcomes are not yet clear.
MOH is collecting more evidence, assessing clinical and cost-effectiveness, and negotiating with suppliers.
The Ministry will decide on including CGM in the CDMP based on the review results.

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5 Jul 2023

Waiting Time for Appointments for Mental Health Treatment at Public Healthcare Institutions

The median waiting time for a new subsidised mental health appointment in public hospitals is 45 days for a psychiatrist and 42 days for a psychologist, with follow-up intervals determined individually by healthcare professionals.
A triage system prioritises patients based on urgency, and urgent cases can access helplines, 24-hour emergency services at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), and on-site crisis intervention teams.
Patients can seek mental healthcare from over 410 trained GPs in the community, with subsidies of up to $540 annually available under the Chronic Disease Management Programme for eligible cardholders.

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5 Jul 2023

Feasibility of Hospital-provided Accommodation at Concessionary Rates for Healthcare Workers

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked if the Ministry of Health has studied providing hospital accommodation at concessionary rates for healthcare workers who need affordable housing near their workplace.
The Ministry explained that healthcare workers have flexibility to choose accommodation, with foreign workers receiving a housing allowance to offset costs.
MOH Holdings is exploring hostel-type accommodation to assist new foreign healthcare workers upon arrival before they transition to market housing.

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5 Jul 2023

Take-up Rate among Parents for Voluntary Workshops Dealing with Child Mental Health Issues

In 2022, over 3,000 parents participated in the Health Promotion Board’s voluntary “Colours of the Mind” workshops to support their child's mental well-being.
The Ministry of Education stated that while mental health screening in schools may have merits, it is complex and requires further study, emphasizing that parents are best placed to notice issues.
Schools collaborate with parents to identify and support students through early identification, referrals to professionals and community resources, and interventions.
The Ministry also provides parents with resources, tips, and networks to foster good parenting approaches and mental well-being.
The question about including mental health screening in school health programmes was noted as an area needing more study, with a focus on parental involvement in early detection.

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5 Jul 2023

Studies on Costs of Air Pollution from All Domestic Sources

He Ting Ru asked if the Government has studied the economic costs, healthcare costs, and excess mortality from air pollution by all domestic sources and whether findings can be shared.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that similar questions were answered in March 2017 and November 2022, and no new published studies on health costs have been informed since.
The Member was referred to previous official reports for the answers given on links between air quality and healthcare costs, and on studies of mortality and cost associated with air pollution from human activities.

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5 Jul 2023

Persons Refusing Conveyance via SCDF Ambulances to Hospitals

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Home Affairs about the number of people who refused SCDF ambulance conveyance to hospitals over the past five years, their top five reasons for refusal, and whether any government agency follows up on their medical conditions.
The Minister provided data showing that 10% to 12% of total SCDF EMS calls resulted in refusal, with annual increases matching overall call load growth.
SCDF does not track the reasons for refusal and cannot compel patients unless they are assessed as mentally incapacitated, requiring them or their next-of-kin to sign an indemnity form and advising them to seek medical treatment.
The response indicated that SCDF does not follow up on the medical conditions of those who refuse conveyance, as patients are advised to seek treatment on their own or call 995 again if needed.
The debate highlighted concerns about the lack of tracking and follow-up for individuals who decline ambulance services despite potential medical risks.

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5 Jul 2023

Trend for Annual Deaths Attributable to Second-hand Smoke

The estimated annual deaths attributable to second-hand smoke in Singapore rose from 245 in 2010 to 296 in 2019.
After adjusting for population ageing, the age-standardised death rate fell from 5.2 to 4.0 per 100,000 people over the same period.
The figures are based on the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, as cited by the Minister for Health.

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5 Jul 2023

Rationale for Allowing Use of Only Single-deck Beds in Migrant Worker Dormitories

Louis Ng Kok Kwang questioned the rationale for allowing only single-deck beds in migrant worker dormitories, when the policy was revised to allow double-decker beds, and the reasons for the revision.
The Ministry of Manpower clarified that it never mandated the exclusive use of single-deck beds, but trialled them in 2020 to reduce disease transmission risks in quick-build dormitories.
The new dormitory standards introduced in September 2021 did not include a requirement for single beds, as other measures like en-suite toilets and room capacity caps were prioritized to manage public health.
The revision was driven by the need to balance disease transmission reduction with the practical use of space, leading to the adoption of alternative safety features instead of bed type restrictions.
The response emphasized that single beds were only one factor in transmission risk management, and the focus shifted to comprehensive dormitory design improvements.

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5 Jul 2023

Update on Zika Situation and Whether Project Wolbachia Can Be Used to Combat Zika

Melvin Yong requested an update on the Zika situation and whether Project Wolbachia could be used to combat Zika in addition to dengue.
Grace Fu reported 22 Zika cases in Singapore as of June 2023, with 15 in a closed Kovan cluster and seven isolated cases, while the National Environment Agency monitors and engages communities.
Grace Fu explained that Project Wolbachia, which suppresses Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, could reduce Zika risk since the same mosquito transmits both Zika and dengue.
The government emphasized that Project Wolbachia complements, but does not replace, preventive actions like eliminating stagnant water and using insect repellent.
Residents were urged to maintain cleanliness and take precautions during the dengue season, especially in cluster areas.

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5 Jul 2023

Results from Measures to Reduce Waiting Time for Admissions to Public Hospitals

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked when results from measures to reduce hospital waiting times can be expected, the longest projected waiting time, when private hospitals will be mobilized, and steps to ensure timely care for patients not admitted within a day.
The Senior Minister of State for Health explained that waiting times have increased due to a 15% rise in average hospital stays from 6.1 to seven days, driven by older patients with complex conditions and COVID-19-related delays in infrastructure projects.
Measures include increasing acute and community hospital beds, Transition Care Facilities, and activating inpatient teams in Emergency Departments for non-life-threatening cases, with plans to tap private hospital capacity if needed.
Dr Lim asked about the cause of longer stays and whether they can return to six days, to which the Minister replied that the rise is due to more complex care for an aging population, and shorter stays are not foreseeable as the population ages further.
The Ministry is focusing on optimizing current capacity by transferring patients to step-down facilities and community care or home recovery, rather than expecting a quick reduction in hospital stay lengths.

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5 Jul 2023

Projected Need for Informal Caregivers in Next 10 to 20 Years

The Ministry of Health highlighted current caregiver numbers and existing support schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant, while noting ongoing efforts to scale up aged care services and train care workers.
Proposals were made to explore micro-jobs and volunteering to engage seniors in caregiving, with the government open to considering such community-based models.
Carrie Tan called for an income supplement scheme for full-time caregivers and support for innovative home-care models, but the Ministry emphasized fiscal sustainability and the primacy of family-led care.
The debate underscored the need to balance support for informal caregivers with the government's broader healthcare and fiscal strategies.

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5 Jul 2023

Likelihood of Severe Transboundary Haze Affecting Singapore in 2023 and Preventive Measures

The Minister for Sustainability and the Environment assessed that an El Niño event and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole are likely to develop, leading to drier and warmer conditions that increase the risk of transboundary haze in 2023, potentially making it the hottest and driest season since 2019.
The government has prepared by coordinating action plans through the Inter-Agency Haze Task Force, ensuring sufficient N95 masks, equipping schools with air purifiers, and advising healthcare providers on haze-related conditions to manage potential impacts.
Community measures include working with the People's Association to distribute masks and explore using Residents' Committee centres and air-conditioned spaces as sanctuaries for vulnerable residents during severe haze or heat waves.
Singapore is collaborating with ASEAN, including through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control, to proactively manage fires and haze, with positive engagement with the Indonesian government on monitoring and firefighting efforts.
The public is advised to monitor air quality via official channels, prepare with air purifiers and N95 masks, and follow health advisories to mitigate the impact of haze.

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5 Jul 2023

Local Students from International Baccalaureate Diploma and Integrated Programmes Admitted to Nursing Diploma or Degree Courses

Over the past three years, 10 students from the IB Diploma and Integrated Programmes were admitted to NUS’s nursing degree, while five entered nursing diploma programmes at Nanyang Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
The Ministry encourages students from these educational routes to apply for nursing programmes using their Year 4 or Year 6 grades, and promotes holistic assessment by institutes of higher learning.
In response to low enrolment numbers, the government is tracking admissions, working with schools and healthcare institutions, and reviewing remuneration and work environments to attract more students to the nursing profession.

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4 Jul 2023

Discouraging Consumption of Non-sugar Sweeteners

Melvin Yong asked how the Ministry plans to encourage Singaporeans to reduce consumption of non-sugar sweeteners and whether it will review related materials on HealthHub following a WHO report.
Ong Ye Kung explained the WHO's conditional recommendation against non-sugar sweeteners for long-term weight control, noting its basis on low-certainty evidence and that safety within recommended levels is not in question.
The Ministry promotes balanced diets through initiatives like banning sugar-substitute beverages in schools and preschools and excluding such drinks from the top grade in the Nutri-Grade system.
Existing HealthHub materials on non-sugar sweeteners remain relevant and will be reviewed as needed, with ongoing monitoring of developments.

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