Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

9 Nov 2022

Length of Service of Foreign Nurses Employed at Restructured Hospitals

The length of service for foreign nurses in restructured hospitals has increased, with the median rising from five to eight years and the average from seven to ten years between 2014 and 2021, though actual figures may be higher as the data does not include those who switched hospitals within the public healthcare sector.
The Ministry of Health aims to increase the total number of nurses, allied health, and support care staff from 58,000 to 82,000 by 2030 through a multi-pronged approach that includes boosting local intake, improving nurse well-being and career pathways, and recruiting overseas.
The Ministry has not provided a specific target number for hiring foreign nurses, emphasizing instead a focus on meeting overall healthcare demands and addressing current sector challenges through various efforts, with the timeline of 2030 set to achieve the broader workforce goal.

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8 Nov 2022

Projected Increases in Hospital Beds at Private and Public Hospitals in Next Five and 10 Years

Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked for the projected increases in hospital beds at private and public hospitals over the next five and ten years, and how these compare to changes in the past five and ten years.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that this question was already addressed in his reply to earlier questions on the Order Paper for 8 November 2022.
The response indicates that the information on bed projections is available but not repeated in this exchange.

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8 Nov 2022

Total Arrears Owed by Patients in Restructured Hospitals Each Year Since 2011

Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Health for total arrears owed by patients in restructured hospitals, the amount written off as bad debt, and the percentage of defaulting patients each year since 2011.
From 2018 to 2021, annual net new arrears were about 2.5% of total bills, with write-offs around 0.8% of total bills, and $50 million to $70 million of bad debts written off yearly mainly due to financial difficulties.
Data prior to 2018 is not readily available.

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8 Nov 2022

Vacancies at Healthcare Institutions Created by Employees Returning to Aviation Sector

Mr Louis Ng questioned whether the Care Ambassador role filled by aviation crew would be made permanent, if the 900 vacancies were filled, and if not, why.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that aviation crew were temporarily redeployed as Care Ambassadors during COVID-19 with substantial government salary support, and most have now returned to aviation.
The government appreciates their service and is considering making such roles permanent through job redesign, blending clinical support, administrative, and operations tasks.

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8 Nov 2022

Adequacy of Rare Disease Fund in Supporting Applicants

Leon Perera inquired about the number of applications received by the Rare Disease Fund (RDF) since April 2021, the ratio of applicants to grants, and the availability of funds for new applicants.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the RDF has received six applications since April 2021, all of which are currently supported, with sufficient funds available and seven medicines listed for five conditions.
The RDF operates as an endowed fund with a "listing" approach, focusing on medicines that meaningfully extend life expectancy and improve quality of life, but does not support non-listed medications.
The government provides a 3:1 matching grant for donations to the RDF, and efforts are ongoing to expand the fund’s scope while acknowledging the challenges of supporting high-cost treatments with uncertain efficacy.
The debate highlighted the need for careful review of government support for rare disease treatments and encouraged public donations to increase the RDF's capacity.

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8 Nov 2022

Upstream Preventive Strategies to Counter Misperceptions of Vaping

The Health Sciences Authority enforces Singapore’s ban on e-cigarettes by removing illegal online listings, prosecuting peddlers, and intercepting border imports, with a public reporting channel for offences.
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board will launch a digital campaign in early 2023 to educate the public on vaping’s health risks and counter misconceptions, alongside media outreach.
Schools work with the Ministry of Education to address vaping among youths through awareness programs and disciplinary actions, including suspension or caning for students caught using e-cigarettes.

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8 Nov 2022

Long Waiting Times at Accident and Emergency Departments of Restructured Hospitals

Long waiting times at accident and emergency departments are driven by a mismatch in hospital bed supply and demand, exacerbated by COVID-19 waves, an ageing population with longer stays, and construction delays for new healthcare facilities.
The Ministry of Health is implementing structural measures, including activating more Transitional Care Facilities and moving away from ringfencing beds for COVID-19 patients, to free up acute hospital beds and improve throughput.
Public education is being emphasized to reduce non-urgent visits to emergency departments, with calls for the public to use alternatives like GP clinics or urgent care centres, while healthcare workers are being supported through recruitment and efforts to prevent burnout.

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7 Nov 2022

Climate Change, Emergence of Novel Pathogens and Pandemics and Preparations Needed

The Ministry of Health, with the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, is studying how climate change may contribute to the emergence of novel pathogens and pandemics affecting Singapore.
Research under the Climate Impact Science Research Programme examines climate effects on infectious disease transmission and potential impacts on Singapore.
A whole-of-government approach is used to detect public health threats, including those from climate change, through strengthened global and local surveillance and joint risk assessments.

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7 Nov 2022

Reinstatement of Subsidies at Public Health Preparedness Clinics and Polyclinics for Treatment of Respiratory Infections

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked if the Ministry of Health would reinstate subsidies for respiratory infection treatment at Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics, citing rising COVID-19 cases and living costs.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the subsidies were introduced early in the pandemic to encourage prompt medical care and early detection of COVID-19 cases.
Ong Ye Kung noted that with COVID-19 now endemic and vaccination reducing severe illness, the original rationale for the subsidies is less relevant today.
He stated that pandemic subsidy policies are being scaled back to align with the normal healthcare financing framework, though government-funded swabs and antivirals remain for eligible patients.
Residents with acute respiratory infections will continue to receive prevailing subsidies at polyclinics or Community Health Assist Scheme general practitioner clinics.

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7 Nov 2022

Arrangements for Private Hospitals to Step In When Public Hospitals Reach Capacity Limit

Joan Pereira asked if the Ministry of Health is collaborating with private hospitals to provide care when public hospitals reach capacity limits and how this would work.
The Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, indicated that the question would be addressed together with other similar parliamentary queries on 8 November 2022.
The response referred to an official report on long waiting times at accident and emergency departments of restructured hospitals for further details.

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7 Nov 2022

Top 10 Medical Consumables Used in Private and Public Hospitals and Affordability

The Ministry of Health identified the top 10 medical consumables used in public hospitals, including alcohol swabs, body wipes, and hypodermic needles, all costing less than a dollar per unit.
MOH does not set prices for consumables in public or private hospitals but publishes bill size comparisons online to help patients make informed choices.
To keep costs low, MOH consolidates demand across public hospitals for economies of scale and procures consumables through open competitive tendering.

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7 Nov 2022

Price Trend and Affordability of Top 10 Drugs on Cancer Drug List and Non-Cancer Drug List

The average cost prices of the top 10 drugs by spending in the public sector remained relatively constant between 2017 and 2021, with a few experiencing price drops.
Comparing prices with other countries is not meaningful as pharmaceutical companies set prices based on market size, income levels, and government policies.
The government ensures competitive procurement through ALPS and the Agency for Care Effectiveness to aggregate demand and negotiate lower prices.
Subsidies of up to 75% are provided for clinically- and cost-effective drugs, with additional support for Pioneers and Merdeka Generation seniors and MediFund for those facing financial difficulties.

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7 Nov 2022

Trend of Vaping in 2022 vis-a-vis 2021 and 2020

Shawn Huang Wei Zhong asked the Minister for Health about the trend of vaping in 2022 compared to 2021 and 2020, the number of vaping incidents involving minors for that period, and whether current efforts are sufficient to reduce vaping.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the government is reviewing its efforts to ensure a decline in vaping and will provide a comprehensive reply on 8 November 2022 alongside similar Parliamentary Questions.

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7 Nov 2022

Non-medical Care Services Provided by Nurses to Patients

Nurses in Singapore provide non-medical care such as preventive and rehabilitative services, case management, care coordination, and roles in education and research.
Training includes developing competencies for extended roles in community settings and trans-disciplinary practice, with senior nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses taking on expanded responsibilities.
Nurses are appraised holistically based on their diverse responsibilities within the local nursing care model, including non-medical care quality.

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7 Nov 2022

Provision of Employment and Psychological Support for Persons with Epilepsy

Mr Christopher de Souza raised a query in Parliament about providing employment and psychological support for persons with epilepsy.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that medical social workers offer social, emotional, psychoeducational support, and employment referrals to agencies like Workforce Singapore and NTUC’s Employment and Employability Institute.
Psychological support is available for those with cognitive or mental health issues through psychologists who assess and advise on interventions.
Support groups and community organisations provide networking and mutual support for individuals with epilepsy, caregivers, and families.

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7 Nov 2022

Proposal for Issuance of Medical Certificates by Pharmacists

Joan Pereira suggested allowing pharmacists to issue medical certificates for common coughs and colds to reduce pressure on GPs and polyclinics.
Ong Ye Kung noted that advisories have already encouraged employers not to require medical certificates for mild COVID-19 or ARI symptoms, easing healthcare burden.
The Ministry is considering whether extending this practice beyond COVID-19 to minor ailments could better allocate scarce medical resources.

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7 Nov 2022

Inclusion of Quadrangles Bounded by HDB Blocks in Smoking Prohibition Regulations

Murali Pillai inquired about extending smoking bans to quadrangles bounded by HDB blocks due to their proximity to residential areas.
Grace Fu highlighted that smoking is already prohibited in many residential spaces like void decks and walkways to protect public health.
She noted that further extensions might unintentionally displace smokers to other areas, creating new disamenities.
The ministry and NEA will continue to review and consider additional prohibitions periodically.
Smokers are encouraged to be considerate of others to minimize second-hand smoke exposure.

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7 Nov 2022

Financial Assistance for Singaporeans Suffering from Psoriasis as Side Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination

Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked if the Ministry of Health could extend financial assistance to Singaporeans with psoriasis as a side effect of COVID-19 vaccination, even without hospitalization or permanent disability.
Ong Ye Kung stated that eligibility for the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme is determined by an independent clinical panel considering the cause and severity of side effects.
The panel reviews cases not hospitalized but requiring long-term follow-up, including skin conditions, on a case-by-case basis for possible assistance.

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7 Nov 2022

Allowing Public Healthcare Institution Nurses to Work as Locum Nurses in Other Healthcare Institutions

Member Gerald Giam proposed allowing public healthcare nurses to work as locum nurses in other institutions to alleviate manpower shortages and increase income.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that nurses are already deployed across settings but their primary responsibility is to their home institution to prevent fatigue and ensure patient safety.
The Ministry is unlikely to support locum work as it may not significantly address manpower crunch and will focus on recruiting more nurses instead.

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7 Nov 2022

Raising Awareness of Elderly Mental Health Challenges

Member Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about plans to raise awareness of elderly mental health issues and whether materials in mother tongue or dialect would be developed for the elderly and caregivers.
Minister Ong Ye Kung detailed ongoing initiatives like the Community Mental Health Masterplan, CREST outreach teams, and Silver Generation Ambassadors to provide mental health support and reach over 510,000 persons.
The Health Promotion Board conducts "Balik Kampung" workshops to help seniors stay socially connected and mentally stimulated, with efforts to provide materials in mother tongue or dialect through various agencies.

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