Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

30 Nov 2022

Weightage of Patients' Feedback on Performance Grading of Nurses

The government confirms that patient and family feedback is not used directly to determine a nurse’s performance grade, bonus, or promotion, but is considered holistically as part of continuous care improvement.
Nurses are protected against unfair or abusive feedback through institutional reporting channels, with serious cases investigated and police involvement where necessary.
The Care Ambassador role, intended to support nurses with customer service and feedback handling, is being harmonized across healthcare clusters with a timeframe to be announced when finalized.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

Medical Clinic Licenses Granted in Past Three Years and Making Participation in Healthier SG a Prerequisite

From 2019 to 2021, approximately 1,300 medical clinic licences were granted annually under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act, focusing on patient safety, licensee suitability, and regulatory compliance.
The Ministry of Health encourages but does not require clinics to participate in government schemes like Healthier SG, as business considerations vary among applicants.
Licensing decisions prioritize regulatory criteria such as the licensee's character, ability to meet requirements, and premises suitability rather than mandating scheme participation.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

Data on Students who Sought Counselling Support from Their Schools

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim queried whether the number of students seeking counselling support varies across educational institutions, specifically asking for percentages of such students in Polytechnics, ITEs, and local universities, and if more resources will be needed in the future.
Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that in 2021, about 50 out of every 1,000 students in Institutes of Higher Learning received counselling support, with access to peer networks and community resources.
The Ministry of Education will continue collaborating with these institutions to regularly review and ensure adequate resources for students' counselling needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

Measures to Support and Enhance Mental Wellness of Public Officers

The Public Service launched initiatives like a confidential counselling hotline, which averages 350 unique users monthly, alongside wellness activities and courses that have drawn over 28,000 officers.
A one-stop resource site, mindline@work, was developed and has recorded more than 18,000 visits, while a network of about 2,000 Wellness Ambassadors provides peer support.
Leadership engagement, including campaigns like "Care4U" Week, aims to de-stigmatize mental health and equip managers to support their teams, with initiatives continuously adapted to officer needs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

Using MediSave to Pay for Monthly Renal Dialysis Treatment

Murali Pillai asked if the CPF Board can allow flexible use of MediSave for a spouse’s renal dialysis, even if the account balance is below the required threshold for the member’s age, as long as active monthly contributions are made.
Ong Ye Kung stated that individuals can appeal to use their MediSave to pay for a family member’s dialysis if the family member has insufficient balances, subject to prevailing withdrawal limits.
The Ministry of Health assesses these appeals case-by-case, considering the affordability of the bill and the impact on the CPF member’s MediSave balances.
This approach ensures support for families while maintaining the sustainability of the MediSave system.
The policy balances individual needs with the need to protect long-term healthcare savings.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

IT System Outages in Local Public Healthcare Institutions and Measures to Ensure Resiliency under Healthier SG

Dr Lim Wee Kiak inquired about the frequency of IT system outages in public healthcare institutions over the past three years, measures to ensure capacity for Healthier SG enhancements, and support helplines for affected patients and doctors during outages.
The Senior Minister of State for Health responded that the government is reviewing system design, investing in resilience, and optimizing downtime processes to minimize disruptions.
Public healthcare institutions have business continuity plans with fallback solutions to maintain patient care during outages, though some functionalities like entering new clinical information may be limited.
Patients are advised to contact their healthcare providers directly for medical assistance if affected by IT system issues.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

29 Nov 2022

Mortality Rate and Serious Complications amongst Singaporeans who Suffer COVID-19 Reinfections

The Minister clarified that US research on reinfection risks was misrepresented; Singapore data shows reinfection mortality and severe illness rates are lower than for first-time infections, and vaccination significantly reduces these risks regardless of infection count.
Bivalent vaccine boosters are effective in reducing severe illness, with up-to-date vaccination making individuals four to five times less likely to experience severe outcomes; daily vaccine uptake is around 20,000 doses.
mRNA vaccines offer higher protection against severe illness (around 80–90%) compared to Sinovac (around 70% with multiple doses), though both are effective when fully administered.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Leveraging Smart Home Technology and Devices to Support Senior Care at Home

Miss Rachel Ong asked if the Ministry of Health plans to use smart home technology to support senior care at home due to Singapore's ageing population.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed that MOH and partner agencies already use smart home technologies, such as a wireless Alert Alarm System in selected HDB blocks for seniors to call for help, and trials by service providers for remote monitoring and reminders.
The government supports innovation through the Care-At-Home Innovation Grant, funding projects like a web-based health management system that integrates smart sensors and home care services to improve care outcomes and staff productivity.
The government will continue to explore scaling and deploying promising research projects to enhance senior care at home.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Incentives in New Nationwide Sodium-reduction Campaign to Shift Consumer Behaviour

The Health Promotion Board launched a public education campaign in October 2022 to raise awareness about the health risks of high sodium intake and encourage the switch to lower-sodium alternatives labelled with the Healthier Choice Symbol.
The Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme provides grants to suppliers of salt, sauces, and seasonings to develop lower-sodium ingredients and promote their adoption by food and beverage businesses.
The government aims to reduce Singaporeans’ daily sodium intake by about 15% over five years, from 3,600 milligrams in 2022 to 3,100 milligrams in 2026.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

COVID-19 Infections Acquired by Patients from Within Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Ms Sylvia Lim asked about the proportions of COVID-19 infections in hospitals and nursing homes from April to September 2022 that were due to patient-to-patient, healthcare worker-to-patient, or other transmissions, and the basis for these estimates.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that since April 2022, comprehensive contact tracing and mandatory testing for admissions and staff have ceased, making it impossible to determine where infections occurred.
He added that despite this, healthcare institutions implement infection prevention and control measures to minimize the risk of transmission between patients and from staff to patients.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Redevelopment of National Skin Centre

Wan Rizal requested an update on the redevelopment of the National Skin Centre (NSC) from the Minister for Health.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the new NSC building is now scheduled for completion in 2023, delayed from 2022, due to supply chain and manpower issues in construction.
Services will continue at the existing NSC until the new building is completed.
Other healthcare projects, including new polyclinics in Sembawang and Khatib and the Jurong Polyclinic redevelopment, will also be delayed.
The Sembawang and Khatib polyclinics are now expected to open in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while the Jurong integrated development will be delayed to 2027.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Necessity of Electronic Health Declaration via SG Arrival Card

Liang Eng Hwa questioned the continued necessity of the electronic Health Declaration via the SG Arrival Card given current COVID-19 measures.
Ong Ye Kung affirmed that the declaration remains necessary for border public health surveillance against diseases like Yellow Fever, MERS, and Ebola.
He noted the system was simplified and digitized from a prior paper-based process, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Cost Changes of Moderna and Pfizer Bivalent Vaccines since Last Supply Contract

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Health about cost changes in Moderna and Pfizer bivalent vaccines since the last supply contract and the specific dollar or percentage change per dose.
Ong Ye Kung, the Minister for Health, stated that the government cannot disclose vaccine pricing details due to contractual obligations with Moderna and Pfizer.
The response highlights that specific pricing information remains confidential under the terms of the purchase agreements.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Encouraging Singaporean Medical Students to Specialise as Family Doctors

Dennis Tan asked if MOH has engaged local and overseas medical students to encourage more to specialise as family doctors, and if not, whether it would consider doing so.
MOH has increased family medicine topics in local medical school curricula and runs outreach activities to raise awareness among students.
MOH Holdings conducts recruitment drives to engage Singaporeans studying overseas, updating them on developments like Healthier SG and the role of family physicians.
MOH is working with healthcare institutions and professional bodies to expand training pathways and places for family medicine.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Effectiveness of Customer Service Training Provided to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's Patient Care Officers

Louis Ng inquired about the Ministry of Health's study on the effectiveness of Singapore Airlines' customer service training for Khoo Teck Puat Hospital's Patient Care Officers and whether it would be expanded.
Ong Ye Kung stated that healthcare institutions manage their own staff training, but acknowledged SIA's renowned customer service and noted MOH's ongoing work to develop relevant training programs.
The Ministry has been coordinating with healthcare clusters to review and evolve training programs in areas like effective communication and customer service, but has not specifically studied the SIA training's effectiveness.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Need for Returning Singaporeans to Show Evidence of COVID-19 Vaccination Status

Lim Biow Chuan questioned the need for returning Singaporeans to provide vaccination proof or tests given the lifting of vaccination-differentiated safe management measures.
Ong Ye Kung explained that the Vaccinated Travel Framework remains relevant during travel peaks and COVID-19 waves abroad to manage unvaccinated individuals.
He stated that unvaccinated travelers may be required to take pre-departure tests and purchase travel insurance before entering Singapore.
The response highlights the ongoing importance of border measures despite eased domestic restrictions.
The debate focuses on balancing public health safety with the practicalities of travel for Singaporeans returning home.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Tracking of Seniors Who Discontinue Rehabilitative Physiotherapy Sessions

Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Health about plans to track seniors who stop rehabilitative physiotherapy before meeting their goals, including those due to financial issues.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) does not have data on seniors who discontinue rehabilitation sessions before attaining their goals.
Seniors facing payment difficulties can seek financial assistance from their healthcare provider, including MediFund, to ensure they receive necessary care.
MOH emphasized the importance of completing rehabilitation and encouraged Parliament members to assist seniors or direct them to MOH for follow-up.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

28 Nov 2022

Studies on Annual Mortality and Cost Associated with Air Pollution from Human Activities

Leon Perera asked the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment about studies on annual mortality and monetary costs linked to air pollution from human activities in Singapore, and for figures from the last five years.
Dr Amy Khor replied that the Ministry relies on WHO guidelines and various studies but cannot provide specific mortality or cost estimates due to differing methodologies, though it emphasizes robust policies to reduce emissions.
Perera followed up with questions on developing a standardized method to estimate health impacts, policy levers to curb pollution, progress toward WHO PM2.5 guidelines, and a timeline for achieving them.
Dr Khor explained that studies are context-specific and multidisciplinary, noted existing policy levers like tightening industrial and vehicle emissions, and stated that Singapore has not yet met PM2.5 standards but is working toward them.
The debate underscored the government’s focus on air quality mitigation despite challenges in quantifying exact health impacts and costs.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Nov 2022

Government Expenditure in Support of Hospitals' Care Ambassador Positions Filled by Aviation Flight Crew

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Health about the annual government expenditure to support Care Ambassador positions filled by the Singapore Airlines Group and the sources of funds used.
Ong Ye Kung referred to a previous reply on 8 November 2022 that addressed the question about vacancies at healthcare institutions created by employees returning to the aviation sector.
The debate centers on the financial support for Care Ambassador roles filled by aviation flight crew and the funding sources involved.
The exchange highlights the government's response to staffing challenges in healthcare during the aviation sector's recovery.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source

9 Nov 2022

Insurance Claims Declined due to Difference in Definition of Medical Terms

Dr Tan Wu Meng raised concerns about Integrated Shield Plan insurers rejecting claims based on technical differences in medical terminology definitions, asking about appeal numbers and policyholder recourse.
The Ministry of Health does not track appeals specifically on terminology disputes but outlined that policyholders can seek recourse via the Clinical Claims Resolution Process for clinical disputes or the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre for other issues.
Dr Tan highlighted cases where genuine claims were denied due to wording mismatches, especially for patients using private insurance in public hospitals, and asked if insurers must review past denied claims if appeals succeed.
The Ministry responded that they work with regulators to ensure fair treatment, investigate unfair practices, and may ask insurers to review past cases, while encouraging policyholders to use dispute resolution platforms and referring specific cases for further examination.

Summary written by AI

Overview Original source