Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

4 Oct 2022

Enrolment in Nursing Programmes in ITE, Polytechnics and Universities in Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health for the number of students who enrolled in nursing programmes at ITE, polytechnics, and universities each year over the past five years, and the number and percentage of nursing graduates who went on to practise nursing.
Ong Ye Kung responded that nursing intake numbers across Institutes of Higher Learning remained relatively stable between 2017 and 2021, with about 2,100 students admitted annually into pre-registration nursing courses at ITE, Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and National University of Singapore.
He noted that employment outcomes for nursing graduates were strong, with 83% in full-time permanent employment within six months of graduation, and 90% of those employed working as nurses.
The response highlighted that nursing intake had grown by around 20% in the five years before 2017, but stabilized thereafter.
The data provided covers the past five years up to 2021, based on the annual Graduate Employment Survey conducted by the IHLs.

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4 Oct 2022

Incidence of Pregnant Women Being Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes

From 2017 to 2021, an average of about 2,950 pregnant women in public hospitals were diagnosed with gestational diabetes each year.
Health efforts include promoting optimal weight gain and healthy lifestyles via the Health Promotion Board’s Parent Hub, and offering gestational diabetes screening between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.
Women diagnosed receive monitoring, lifestyle interventions, and may need medication or insulin, with post-delivery diabetes screening and subsidised follow-up under the Screen for Life programme.
The Agency for Care Effectiveness updated clinical guidelines in August 2022 to provide evidence-based recommendations for screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of gestational diabetes.

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4 Oct 2022

Amount Owed for Medical Services Provided to Foreigners

The amount owed by foreigners on Long-Term Visit Passes (LTVP) is not specifically tracked, but overall arrears from all foreigners at public healthcare institutions were less than 0.1% of total bills from 2017 to 2021.
LTVP holders are not eligible for government healthcare subsidies, but their sponsors may use employee medical benefits or private insurance, and Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can use MediSave for their immediate family members, including LTVP holders.
Medical social workers at public healthcare institutions can assist LTVP holders facing financial difficulties with payment plans or charity funds based on assessment.

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4 Oct 2022

Diabetes Cases Referred from Public Healthcare System to Private Doctors

He Ting Ru asked about the number of diabetes cases referred from public healthcare to private GPs over the last five years and the impact on GP caseloads.
Ong Ye Kung stated that hospitals do not routinely track such referrals, but some private GPs have formed Primary Care Networks since 2018 to provide holistic care.
Based on available data, 10% to 20% of diabetic patients seen in public acute hospitals were referred to primary care doctors between 2018 and 2021.
With the Healthier SG initiative, more chronic disease patients, including those with diabetes, will be treated in GP clinics, likely increasing GP caseloads.

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4 Oct 2022

Key Causes of Recent Increase in Number of Patients Requiring Kidney Dialysis

The rise in kidney dialysis patients is mainly due to Singapore’s ageing population and the high prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, while the Ministry of Health has not quantified the socioeconomic costs of dialysis.
The government is promoting the more cost-effective peritoneal dialysis (PD) through a PD-preferred strategy, aiming to increase PD uptake among new patients from 19% to 30% by 2025 and supporting this with training, home support programs, and higher subsidies.
To maintain accessibility and affordability, means-tested subsidies, MediShield Life, MediSave, and charity assistance are available for patients undergoing both haemodialysis and PD, with additional efforts to encourage home-based PD.

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4 Oct 2022

Assessment of Reports Linking COVID-19 Vaccines to Onset of Kidney Diseases in Patients with Renal Problems

Yip Hon Weng inquired whether severe COVID-19 cases have led to kidney damage requiring dialysis, if there are reports linking vaccines to kidney disease in renal patients, and if Singapore is conducting related studies.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed that severe COVID-19 can cause acute kidney injury needing dialysis but said the virus has not been shown to increase long-term risk of end-stage kidney disease.
Ong Ye Kung stated there is no established link, locally or internationally, between COVID-19 vaccines and kidney disease.

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4 Oct 2022

Building a Healthier SG

Healthier SG is a preventive healthcare strategy focusing on chronic disease management, with concerns raised about inclusivity for lower-income groups, seniors, and non-doctor healthcare professionals.
Speakers emphasized the need for stable manpower planning, integration between primary and specialist care, and further reforms in healthcare financing to drive integration.
Community-based programs, digital tools, and partnerships with employers and insurers are critical, but must be accessible and avoid marginalizing vulnerable groups.

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4 Oct 2022

Building a Healthier SG

The Healthier SG strategy reorients Singapore's healthcare system towards preventive care, with family doctors as the central point for building long-term relationships with residents, co-developing health plans, and coordinating community support, while the government fully funds key preventive services like screenings and vaccinations and provides additional subsidies for chronic disease management.
Significant investment is planned, including over $1 billion in setup costs and $400 million annually for recurrent costs, with a shift to capitation-based funding for healthcare clusters and service fees for GPs, aiming to slow the projected rise in national healthcare expenditure from $22 billion to potentially $60 billion by 2030.
Parliament members raised concerns about implementation details, including ensuring equitable access for non-digital-savvy seniors, managing GP workload and burnout, clarifying enrolment flexibility, integrating mental health care, and measuring health outcomes, with the Minister emphasizing ongoing stakeholder engagement to refine the approach.

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4 Oct 2022

Assessment of Mental Health and Well-being of Police and Auxiliary Police Officers Who Bear Arms

The Ministry of Home Affairs provides continuous mental health support for police and auxiliary officers, including resilience training, in-house psychological services, 24/7 helplines, and confidential external counselling, with confidentiality emphasized to encourage help-seeking without career disadvantage.
Officers undergo security, medical, and psychological assessments before bearing firearms, and supervisors are trained to identify and support those in distress, with reassignment possible if an officer is deemed unfit to carry arms.
The Ministry acknowledged concerns about suicide rates among officers, noting the rate is lower than the national average, and committed to ongoing efforts to destigmatize mental health support and consider further research or toolkits to address unique stressors faced by frontline responders.
Suggestions such as geo-fencing technology for auxiliary officers were noted, with a balance required between job needs and privacy, while the Ministry continues to engage officers and families to detect and address potential stressors.

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3 Oct 2022

Increasing Cap on MediSave Withdrawals for Mental Health Patients and Waiver of 15% Co-payment for MediSave Claims

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin proposed increasing the MediSave withdrawal cap for mental health patients under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and lowering or waiving the 15% co-payment for MediSave claims.
The Minister for Health, Ong Ye Kung, stated that the current annual MediSave limits of $500 or $700 for CDMP mental health treatment are adequate as most patients do not reach these caps.
Under the Healthier SG initiative, the 15% co-payment requirement will be waived for patients using MediSave for CDMP treatment at their enrolled clinic.
Patients facing financial difficulties can apply for assistance like MediFund at public healthcare institutions for medical bills.

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3 Oct 2022

Average Duration Patients Are Warded at IMH for Treatment and Average Nurse-to-patient Ratio

The Minister confirmed that mental health conditions under the Chronic Disease Management Programme include Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Anxiety, with average inpatient stays of 50 days for schizophrenia, 14 days for depression, 33 days for bipolar disorder, and 16 days for anxiety in 2021.
The average nurse-to-patient ratio in IMH general wards remained stable from 2020 to August 2022 at one nurse for every five or six beds.
Staffing ratios on the ground may vary depending on the care needs of patients.

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3 Oct 2022

Campaigns to Promote Respect for Nurses

Dr Tan Yia Swam inquired about campaigns to elevate the role and respect for nurses, prompting a response from the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry highlighted the "Care to Go Beyond" campaign, launched in 2013, to promote nursing as a meaningful career and increase public awareness of nursing roles.
The campaign supports broader outreach by healthcare employers and nursing schools, but the Ministry emphasized that respect for nurses ultimately stems from their dedication during events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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3 Oct 2022

Suitability and Efficiency of Nasal COVID-19 Vaccines

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim inquired about the assessment of nasal COVID-19 vaccines for use in Singapore.
The Ministry of Health is monitoring global developments in nasal COVID-19 vaccines.
MOH evaluates the safety, efficacy, and suitability of these vaccines for Singapore’s population.

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3 Oct 2022

Influenza Vaccination to Reduce Risk of Infection and Disease-related Complications

Sitoh Yih Pin asked if the Ministry of Health expects a significant rise in influenza cases due to eased mask rules and whether there are plans to encourage more Singaporeans, especially those aged 65 and above, to get vaccinated against influenza.
Ong Ye Kung responded that influenza cases are expected to increase to pre-COVID-19 levels but hoped good practices like isolation and mask-wearing would moderate the infection rate.
He noted that the National Adult and Childhood Immunisation Schedules recommend influenza vaccination for high-risk groups, including those aged 65 and above, young children, and vulnerable persons with certain medical conditions.
Ong Ye Kung added that influenza vaccinations are highly subsidised for at-risk groups to ensure affordability and accessibility.
The Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Board will continue working with primary care partners and stakeholders to promote influenza vaccination.

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3 Oct 2022

Statistics on Children Born with Birth Defects

The Ministry of Health reported that approximately 30 out of every 1,000 newborns in Singapore have birth defects, based on the 2016 National Birth Defect Registry.
The most common birth defects in the population are those affecting the circulatory system.
The average annual out-of-pocket cost for testing and treating newborns with circulatory system birth defects in their first year is about $850 after subsidies, with financial support available through MediSave and MediShield Life.

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3 Oct 2022

Ratio of School Mental Health Professionals to Students

Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for Education about the current ratio of mental health professionals to students in primary, secondary, and tertiary schools.
Chan Chun Sing responded that all schools have at least one to two counsellors, polytechnics and ITE colleges average six counsellors, and autonomous universities vary counsellor numbers based on enrolment and student profiles.
Schools and institutes of higher learning also provide support from teacher- and para-counsellors, community resources, and peer support networks.
The government plans to continue enhancing these support systems.

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3 Oct 2022

Regulation of Home-based Private Dining Businesses to Safeguard Public Health

Sitoh Yih Pin asked if the Ministry tracks the number of home-based private dining businesses and whether they need regulation for public health, to which Grace Fu explained that the Singapore Food Agency does not track these businesses due to their small scale and low risk.
Grace Fu stated that home-based private dining businesses are permitted under HDB and URA schemes but are not required to be licensed by SFA, though they must comply with existing food safety regulations.
The Ministry does not expect a substantial increase in such businesses but will continue monitoring and periodically reviewing regulatory requirements to ensure public health safeguards.

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3 Oct 2022

Donations Made to Rare Disease Fund and Alternative Fundraising Arrangements with Matching Donation Support for More Diseases

The Rare Disease Fund (RDF) raised about $137.9 million since its 2019 inception, including $37.9 million in FY2021 and $8.6 million by July 2022, with government matching and tax incentives.
The RDF does not accept earmarked donations for specific patients to ensure fairness, and a committee assesses which conditions to support based on medical need and cost-effectiveness.
An alternative fundraising arrangement with different matching ratios was not formally proposed, but the government encourages public donations to the RDF to expand coverage for more rare diseases.

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3 Oct 2022

Support for Social Service Agencies to Provide More Suicide Prevention Support

The Ministry supports Social Service Agencies through funding and training, including NCSS funding Samaritans of Singapore’s capacity expansion and a text messaging service, and IMH partnering on a youth mental health curriculum.
Efforts focus on early identification and reducing stigma, with NCSS and AIC training frontline staff and caregivers, and the “Beyond the Label” movement developing targeted strategies for different groups.
The Government plans to strengthen support for agencies to assist at-risk individuals, including higher-risk groups like men and Indian men, and encourages community vigilance.

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3 Oct 2022

Inclusion of Mental and Intellectual Disabilities in Employment-related Programmes for Persons with Disabilities

The Open Door Programme and Enabling Employment Credit are available to persons with intellectual disabilities and autism, but those with other mental health conditions are directed to other agencies for employment support.
The government acknowledges the wide spectrum of mental health conditions and customizes support based on individual needs, with some requiring special work arrangements.
An Interagency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being is examining ways to strengthen support, reduce stigma, and improve employment prospects for persons with mental health conditions.

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