Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

3 Jul 2023

Criteria in Selection of Sites for Setting up of Active Ageing Centres

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked how the Ministry of Health plans Active Ageing Centre locations based on senior population data, community input, and setup timelines.
The Ministry considers current and projected senior numbers, local service needs, and centre accessibility when selecting sites.
Community stakeholders are consulted for views and support before finalizing a site.
The average time from tender launch to an AAC becoming operational is about two years.

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3 Jul 2023

Audits of Admissions at Emergency Departments of Public Hospitals and Duration of Patients' Stays

Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health about audits of emergency department admissions and the percentage of patients discharged within two days.
The Ministry of Health does not specifically audit emergency department admissions but has senior doctors review patients to assess suitability for admission or observation in Extended Diagnosis and Treatment Units.
MOH monitors patient profiles at emergency departments, with about 20% of adult patients admitted from January to May 2023 discharged within two days, a figure that has been decreasing over the years.

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3 Jul 2023

Updates on Prices and Procedures for Elective Egg-freezing in Singapore

Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that elective egg-freezing (EEF) will be implemented by July 2023 under the new Assisted Reproduction regulations, with procedures and costs for egg retrieval mirroring those of in-vitro fertilization.
EEF will not be eligible for subsidies, co-funding, or MediSave use since it is not medically indicated, and costs will be similar to IVF procedures.
All licensed assisted reproduction service providers, including public hospitals like SGH, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and NUH, will be permitted to offer EEF.
The update responds to Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin’s query about the timeline, costs, procedures, and availability of EEF in public healthcare institutions.
The implementation aligns with the broader rollout of assisted reproduction regulations under the Healthcare Services Act.

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3 Jul 2023

Outcome of Study by National University Polyclinics on Use of Antibiotics

The Singapore Food Agency has a science-based food safety system to mitigate antimicrobial resistance risks across the food supply chain, including strict import controls and robust monitoring.
Local farms are regulated to use antibiotics only for disease treatment under veterinary oversight, not for growth promotion, and certain critical antibiotics are prohibited.
The government collaborates with health, research, and agri-food sectors to address antimicrobial resistance through a multi-sectoral approach.

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3 Jul 2023

Public Health Institutions Hiring Third Party Bill Collectors

Ng Ling Ling inquired about the number of public health institutions using third-party bill collectors and the processes for referring patients in genuine hardship to medical social workers.
Ong Ye Kung responded that most public healthcare institutions use third-party collectors and that these collectors provide contact details for medical social workers when patients express repayment difficulties.
The process involves social workers assessing patients' eligibility for financial assistance, but specific numbers of institutions using collectors were not provided in the summary.
The debate highlighted the need for clear procedures to support patients facing financial hardship while managing public health bill collections.
No further details were shared on the scale of third-party collector usage or the effectiveness of the referral system.

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3 Jul 2023

Plans under Healthier SG for Younger Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry of Health is building on the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to support healthier lives for younger persons with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
Pilots such as a Community Integrated Health Team are underway, partnering with social service agencies and healthcare professionals to provide multidisciplinary, community-based care for PwDs with complex needs.
Healthier SG initiatives include updated physical activity guidelines inclusive of PwDs and expanded sports opportunities through the Para Sports Academy and the Disability Sports Masterplan.
MOH and MSF are studying service gaps and coordinating with stakeholders to strengthen support for PwDs’ health and healthcare needs.
MOH is committed to working with partners on further programmes and pilots to make healthy living more accessible for all residents.

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3 Jul 2023

Subventions for Community Counselling and Inclusion of Singaporeans Aged 40 and above with Chronic Conditions in Enrolment in Healthier SG Programme

The Minister for Health confirmed that mental health will be included in Healthier SG in due course, and that community mental health services under the Community Mental Health Masterplan are already fully funded and accessible at no cost to support residents and caregivers.
Healthier SG enrolment, launching on 5 July 2023, will be phased to prioritise Singaporeans aged 40 and above with chronic conditions, followed by those aged 60 and above, with plans to extend to residents aged 40–59 sometime next year.
Over 47,000 residents have pre-enrolled in the Healthier SG pre-enrolment exercise, and the government will manage GP clinic capacity nationally while encouraging competitive pricing for consultations and medication to keep costs in check.

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3 Jul 2023

Rejection of Referred Patients whose Residential Addresses Fall Outside Healthcare Cluster

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked whether public hospitals can reject polyclinic referrals based on a patient's residential address and what assistance is given to affected patients, including hospital staff denied outpatient benefits.
The Senior Minister of State for Health clarified that public hospitals do not reject referrals due to address but may decline inappropriate referrals or redirect patients if timely appointments are unavailable, with polyclinics assisting in alternative arrangements.
Dr Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about patient choice in Healthier SG enrolment and specialist care, seeking assurance that freedom of choice remains and that appeal routes exist for unresolved issues.
The Senior Minister of State confirmed that residents can choose their Healthier SG enrolment and specialist care providers, provided the service is available, and that there are channels for appeals.

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10 May 2023

Clarification by Minister for Health

The Minister for Health clarified a factual error regarding the average hospital length of stay, correcting the 2019 figure to 6.1 days and the 2022 figure to 7.0 days.
He reiterated that the healthcare system is experiencing a crunch due to a significant increase in patient length of stay over a short period.
The clarification was made in a written statement to the Parliament during the debate on the Motion “Supporting Healthcare” on 10 May 2023.

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10 May 2023

Safety of Over-the-counter HSA-approved Traditional Chinese Medicine Products

Miss Rachel Ong queried whether the Ministry of Health would investigate the safety of widely used HSA-approved over-the-counter Traditional Chinese Medicine products like Lianhua Qingwen, Qing Fei Clearing Tablet, and Qing Fei Pai Du.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the question likely stemmed from a recent media report of an anaphylaxis case after Lianhua Qingwen consumption, noting that investigations are ongoing with no current evidence linking the allergic reaction to the product.
He explained that Traditional Chinese Medicine products are natural herbal items not regulated like pharmaceutical medicines, and allergic reactions can occur in susceptible individuals similar to food.
Ong Ye Kung assured that HSA will conduct post-market surveillance of such products and take necessary actions as needed.

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10 May 2023

Extending Subsidy to Cover Public Officers' Treatment at Registered TCM Clinics

Leong Mun Wai asked if the government, as the largest employer, would extend medical subsidies to cover TCM treatments at clinics registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board.
Chan Chun Sing, representing the Prime Minister, stated that the Civil Service already subsidises standard medical treatments, including TCM acupuncture when referred by a Singapore Medical Council-registered doctor and performed at PHMC-registered facilities.

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10 May 2023

Supporting Healthcare

Members emphasized the urgent need to support healthcare workers by improving compensation, reducing working hours, ensuring safe conditions, and addressing mental health and burnout, while also tackling abuse and harassment.
The debate highlighted the importance of preventive and community-based care, including expanding mental health support, promoting healthy lifestyles, integrating health and social services, and leveraging technology and community programs like Healthier SG.
There were calls for a whole-of-government approach to address systemic challenges such as manpower shortages, IT infrastructure, financing, and the needs of aging populations, with specific suggestions for policy changes and cross-agency collaboration.

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10 May 2023

Revision of MediSave Limit to Allow Cancer Patients to Pay for Non-subsidised Drugs

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked whether advanced or terminal cancer patients unable to complete treatments with non-subsidised drugs by the September 2023 deadline could access higher MediSave amounts to ease financial strain.
The Senior Minister of State for Health outlined that patients can appeal to MOH for more MediSave use, seek financial assistance via medical social workers, or withdraw CPF savings under the Reduced Life Expectancy scheme.
Pritam Singh inquired about the volume of appeals to MOH for non-CDL cancer drugs, to which the Minister replied that specific data was unavailable and suggested filing a separate question.
Ms Ng Ling Ling further questioned whether insurers covering Integrated Plans must appeal for grandfathering with oncologist support and if rare cancers could be separately evaluated by a clinical panel.
The Minister encouraged submitting appeals for assessment, noting MOH would explore various mechanisms to assist patients, and invited follow-up if needed.

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10 May 2023

Guidelines for Standards Relating to Full-time National Servicemen's Accommodation in Camps

The Ministry of Defence stated that SAF accommodation facilities are designed to be functional, cost-effective, and benchmarked to national guidelines, with rooms accommodating two to 10 servicemen and providing about seven square metres of individual living space per person.
Ventilation is emphasized through natural design and features like ceiling fans, with toilet facilities following guidelines of five men per toilet cubicle and eight men per urinal; pandemic-ready measures include additional fans, air purifiers, and design adaptations for safe distancing.
Guidelines are developed in compliance with national regulations and are reviewed when these regulations change, with accommodations assessed for air quality and pandemic-readiness, including protocols for outbreak management.

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10 May 2023

Impact on Patient Waiting Times and Service Standards with Shift to Capitation Model in Financing Public Healthcare Clusters

The Ministry of Health explained that the capitation model provides fixed funding per resident to healthcare clusters to incentivize preventive care and reduce wastage, while maintaining service quality and not restricting patient choice for hospital care.
Officials clarified that bundled payments and pay-for-performance pilots have been tested, and capitation funding includes safeguards for exceptional cases, ongoing protocol reviews, and no reduction in cluster budgets despite aging population demands.
The Ministry emphasized that capitation at the cluster level encourages investment in primary and preventive care, with close monitoring of resource allocation and health outcomes, but does not directly affect individual patient charging models.

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9 May 2023

Competencies and Qualifications Required under Household Services Scheme to Provide Eldercare Services

Workers under the Household Services Scheme providing eldercare must complete relevant elder-minding training or pass a competency assessment recommended by the Ministry of Health and the Agency for Integrated Care, and they are equipped with basic skills such as safely supporting daily living activities and assisting with simple exercises.
The Ministry of Manpower and the Agency for Integrated Care are monitoring training take-up rates and will expand capacity if needed to ensure timely and adequate training courses.
There are no plans to expand the Household Services Scheme to include care for special-needs children and adults; households are directed to existing home-based care programmes run by Social Service Agencies or to contact SG Enable for more information.

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9 May 2023

Annual Data on Heat-related Illnesses and Injuries and Plans to Raise Public Awareness

Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked if the Ministry of Health tracks annual heat-related illness data, whether there has been an increase in the past three months, and plans to raise public awareness.
The Ministry of Health provides annual data, showing heat-related hospitalisations have been stable over the last decade and recently decreased from 71 in 2021 to 47 in 2022.
The Ministry will collaborate with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment to raise public awareness on preventing heat-related illnesses.

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9 May 2023

Ensuring Sufficient Diabetes Medication Purchased Only for Prescribed Medical Use

The Ministry of Health regulates GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy as Prescription Only Medicines to ensure they are used for diabetes and weight management under medical supervision, with doctors assessing patients based on clinical guidelines.
MOH works with healthcare institutions and drug companies to monitor local and international usage patterns to maintain drug supply and resiliency, mitigating disruptions from trends such as social media-driven weight loss demand.
The Ministry advises consumers on the risks of using these medications without a prescription or clinical oversight, emphasizing that they can only be obtained from doctors or pharmacists with a valid prescription.

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9 May 2023

Data on Elective Admissions of Singaporean and Foreign Patients into Hospitals since January 2022

Hazel Poa asked for the monthly percentage of elective admissions for Singaporean and foreign patients since January 2022 and the policies on deferring elective admissions when bed occupancy exceeds 85 percent.
Ong Ye Kung stated that elective admissions made up about 23 percent of total hospital admissions in public hospitals in 2022, with non-resident foreigners accounting for less than 0.5 percent of total admissions.
He explained that hospitals may temporarily defer non-urgent elective admissions to manage bed capacity during expected surges in emergency admissions, while prioritizing patients requiring urgent medical care.

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9 May 2023

Considerations of Hospital Committees in Assessing MediFund Assistance Requests

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Ministry of Health for specific operational guidelines beyond eligibility criteria, including income thresholds and recipient limits per household, provided to MediFund committees.
Ong Ye Kung explained that while the Ministry offers guidelines on means-testing and assistance amounts, MediFund committees have full discretion to consider other factors and family circumstances.
The Ministry does not issue guidelines on the number of MediFund recipients per household, leaving such decisions to the committees.

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