Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

2 Aug 2022

Current Life Expectancy by Racial Groups

Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Health for the current life expectancy figures by racial groups in Singapore.
Ong Ye Kung responded with 2021 data showing life expectancy of 84.3 for Chinese, 79.4 for Malay, and 81.311 for Indian residents.
The Minister explained that life expectancy is influenced by factors like disease prevalence, chronic conditions, and lifestyles.
He stated that the Ministry of Health will collaborate with other agencies and social organizations to improve these social determinants.
The goal is to sustain increases in life expectancy over time for all ethnic groups in Singapore.

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2 Aug 2022

Salary Trends for Nurses and Ancillary Care Staff in Private and Restructured Hospitals

Louis Ng asked for the median and average salaries of nurses and ancillary staff in private and restructured hospitals over the past five years.
Ong Ye Kung replied that the question had already been addressed in his response to two other parliamentary questions on 2 August 2022.
The exchange highlights the availability of salary data but indicates no new information was provided in this session.

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2 Aug 2022

Following Up on Seniors Who Called Helplines During COVID-19 Pandemic and Restoration of Social Activities for Seniors

Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Health about Government programmes that follow up on seniors who called helplines during the pandemic and how the Government will restore social activities for seniors while balancing health risks and mental wellness.
Ong Ye Kung responded that over 35,000 seniors have received help through helplines like The Seniors Helpline and CareLine, and those needing further support are referred to agencies such as Family Service Centres and Active Ageing Centres.
The Government has been working with community partners since November to resume active-ageing programmes safely, with the Health Promotion Board, People's Association, and Council for Third Age restarting face-to-face classes and digital offerings in line with safe management measures.

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2 Aug 2022

Plans to Ensure Success of Project Wolbachia in More Housing Estates

NEA plans to expand Project Wolbachia to eight additional sites, covering 1,400 more HDB blocks and over 300,000 households, to study its impact on dengue cases.
The Ministry is developing automated systems to scale up the production of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes, aiming to increase output from two million to five million per week by end 2022.
The expansion supports sustained releases in existing sites while exploring the effectiveness of Wolbachia technology in suppressing dengue.
Source reduction remains a critical strategy, and the Ministry emphasizes the need for public cooperation to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.
The overall goal is to maintain the project's success in reducing dengue rates while scaling up efforts across more housing estates.

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2 Aug 2022

Risk of Contracting Dengue from Rainfall and High Day-temperatures in Past Few Weeks

Christopher de Souza queried whether recent rainfall and high temperatures have heightened dengue risk and expanded clusters.
Grace Fu Hai Yien cited multiple factors for the surge, including high mosquito populations, low immunity to Dengue Virus Serotype 3, and weather effects that accelerate mosquito development and virus replication.
The government urged public action through the "Mozzie Wipeout" campaign and regular housekeeping to suppress mosquito breeding.

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2 Aug 2022

Patients Requiring Kidney Dialysis and Transplants, and Coordinated Programme to Manage Related Issues

The number of patients requiring definitive kidney dialysis in Singapore increased from 7,007 in 2017 to 8,668 in 2021, with 458 receiving kidney transplants over the same period, and numbers are expected to rise due to the ageing population.
The Ministry of Health has a coordinated national programme, the Holistic Approach to Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease (HALT-CKD), which focuses on upstream prevention, early diagnosis, and patient-centred management of chronic kidney disease.
MOH partners with various organizations, including the National Kidney Foundation, Kidney Dialysis Foundation, and others, to provide services like pre-dialysis education, community advocacy, and support for home-based peritoneal dialysis.
Efforts are also underway to promote kidney transplant uptake through public awareness campaigns and initiatives by the National Organ Transplant Unit to shift societal attitudes toward living donor kidney transplants.

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2 Aug 2022

Follow-up Actions on Findings of Junior Doctors Being Pressured to Under-record Working Hours

Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that healthcare institutions use electronic logging and surveys to monitor junior doctors' work hours and well-being, and MOH Holdings reviews indicators like late-night transport claims to detect potential under-reporting.
No systemic under-reporting of working hours has been found in public healthcare institutions based on available data and feedback, and a confidential whistleblowing channel exists for reporting workplace issues.
MOH Holdings is studying alternative methods to collect data on doctor work hours to further enhance monitoring and address concerns about junior doctors being pressured to under-record their hours.

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2 Aug 2022

Number of Young People Seeking Help with Institute of Mental Health and Need for Second Mental Health Hospital

Dennis Tan asked if there has been a rise in young people seeking help at IMH and whether a second mental health hospital is being considered.
Ong Ye Kung reported a 6% increase in youth outpatient attendances at IMH in 2021 but a 14.5% decrease in inpatient admissions compared to pre-pandemic levels.
MOH outlined existing mental health services for youths, including school-based support, community outreach, and psychiatric services at selected hospitals.
NUHS is expanding psychiatric services at Alexandra Hospital, including inpatient beds and child and adolescent outpatient care.
The government has no plans to build a second psychiatric hospital, emphasizing that not all mental health issues require acute inpatient care.

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2 Aug 2022

Integrated Shield Plans for Insurance Covering Home Nursing Care and Outpatient Rehabilitative Services

Leon Perera asked whether the government would work with insurers to expand Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) to cover home nursing care and outpatient rehabilitative services not currently included.
Ong Ye Kung explained that IPs are private health insurance covering large hospital bills and specific outpatient treatments, but long-term care like nursing and rehabilitation is handled by ElderShield or CareShield Life.
He noted that additional long-term care coverage is available through private insurers' supplements to these national schemes, which can be paid using MediSave within annual limits.

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2 Aug 2022

Nurse-to-patient Ratio and Efforts to Reduce Nurses' Administrative Workload

Louis Ng Kok Kwang questioned the Minister for Health about nurse-to-patient ratios in general wards and ICUs over the past five years, the steps taken to reduce nurses' administrative workload, and any additional measures being considered.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary responded that nurse-to-patient ratios have remained stable, with one nurse for every four to five beds in general wards and one nurse per patient in ICUs, while highlighting efforts to reduce administrative tasks through process streamlining, support staff, and technology like the Nursing Software Suite.
She noted challenges including rising attrition rates, especially among foreign nurses due to international competition, and outlined initiatives to support nurse well-being, such as Staff Well-being Committees, counselling services, and ensuring adequate rest through duty roster planning.
Louis Ng sought clarifications on what constitutes "adequate" rest, the existence of an ideal nurse-to-patient ratio, and salary and hiring policies for ancillary care staff, to which the Ministry responded that work continues on improving conditions and retaining staff.
The Ministry emphasized a multi-pronged approach to stabilize the nursing workforce, including salary reviews, increased local nursing intakes, and collaborative efforts with families and caregivers to alleviate workload pressures.

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1 Aug 2022

Enhancements to Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund to Include Mid-life Servicing Costs for Devices

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health if the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) can be enhanced to cover mid-life servicing costs for devices not near their end-of-life.
The Ministry of Health highlighted that SMF was enhanced in February 2022 to subsidize device replacements when they reach the end of their lifespan.
For devices not at end-of-life, SMF can already cover replacements or cost-effective repairs on a case-by-case basis.

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1 Aug 2022

Assessment of Osteopathic Medicine as Treatment Option for Musculoskeletal Problems and Overall Health

Osteopathic medicine is currently considered a complementary medicine in Singapore, with its efficacy and safety not yet fully affirmed due to insufficient high-quality clinical trials.
The government has no plans to register or regulate osteopaths as allied health professionals at this time.
More robust, multi-centre, randomised control trials are needed to better establish the evidence base for osteopathic treatment of musculoskeletal issues.

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1 Aug 2022

Cases Managed by Community Resource, Engagement and Support Teams and Community Intervention Teams

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the number of cases managed by CREST and COMIT teams over the past three years and any increasing demand for support.
The number of individuals reached by CREST teams decreased in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 safe management measures, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The number of clients with mental health needs supported by COMIT teams remained relatively stable over the past three years.
With the easing of safe management measures, community teams have gradually resumed activities to reach those at risk of or with mental health conditions.

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1 Aug 2022

Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines and Protocol for Treatment of Children Under Age of 12

Multiple members asked about the use of oral antiviral drugs for treating COVID-19 in unvaccinated children, including toddlers, and requested an update on the percentage of patients currently receiving such treatment.
Questions were raised on the long-term effects and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses, seeking updates from longitudinal studies and new observations.
Members inquired about improving detection, diagnosis, and treatment for symptomatic children under 12, suggesting mandatory PCR tests and hospitalisation for vulnerable or unvaccinated young children.
A proposal was made to change the protocol to advise all children under 12 infected with COVID-19 to see a doctor even if they feel well, ensuring comprehensive care.
The Minister indicated that the questions had been addressed in a prior set of oral answers scheduled for 1 August 2022.

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1 Aug 2022

Resignations of Local and Foreign Nurses from Restructured Hospitals in Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health for the number and percentage of local and foreign nurses who resigned from restructured hospitals over the past five years.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the question would be addressed in his upcoming reply about the nursing workforce on 2 August 2022.
The response referred to an official report on nurse-to-patient ratios and efforts to reduce nurses' administrative workload.

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1 Aug 2022

Number of Singaporeans Required to Top-up Cash for Medical Expenses After Reaching MediSave Withdrawal Limit

Foo Mee Har asked for the number of Singaporeans who must top up cash after hitting MediSave limits and their average account balance.
Ong Ye Kung stated that data on balances for those incurring cash out-of-pocket is not readily available.
He noted that MediSave limits are largely adequate, with most patients not needing extra cash after subsidies and insurance.
For example, about nine in ten patients using MediSave for chronic disease management did not reach their annual limit.
He added that patients facing financial difficulties can apply for assistance like MediFund at public institutions.

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1 Aug 2022

Securing Sessions with Counsellors or Trained Professionals Beyond Phone Hotlines and Online Counselling Services

Christopher de Souza inquired whether beyond phone hotlines and online counselling, there are options for urgent face-to-face meetings with counsellors or trained professionals.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M outlined that the Community Mental Health Masterplan offers a comprehensive range of counselling services, including in-person support through Social Service Agencies (SSAs), which prioritize those in greater need.
For individuals with severe emotional distress, urgent support is available through the Institute of Mental Health’s Emergency Service or the Emergency Departments of restructured hospitals.

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1 Aug 2022

Number of Students Who Have Received Counselling on Mental Health-related Issues

Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education about the number of students from schools and Institutes of Higher Learning who received counselling on mental health-related issues over the past two years.
The Minister responded that approximately 70 out of every 1,000 students received counselling support annually for issues like relationship challenges, anxiety, self-expectations, and family stressors.
A smaller segment of these students specifically received support for mental health-related concerns.
Increased awareness and availability of resources have led to more students seeking help for mental health in the last two years.

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1 Aug 2022

Strengthening Students' Mental Well-being and Mental Health Literacy Through Refreshed Character and Citizenship Education Curriculum

The refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, which includes a focus on mental well-being and mental health literacy, has been progressively implemented in schools since 2021 and is expected to reach all levels from primary to pre-university by 2023.
The curriculum equips students with skills to build resilience, distinguish normal stress from mental illness, and seek help, while also teaching them to challenge stigma and support peers through established school structures.
Both students and teachers have found the new lessons engaging and relevant, with teachers appreciating the professional development and resources provided to support the delivery of mental health education.

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1 Aug 2022

Efficacy of Anti-Aedes Mosquito Paint and Plans to Encourage Its Use for Buildings

Hany Soh inquired whether the Ministry has explored the efficacy of anti-Aedes mosquito paint and plans to encourage its use in buildings like HDB flats, especially during repainting works in common corridors and void decks.
Grace Fu Hai Yien responded that the National Environment Agency has reviewed such paint and noted that its effectiveness varies based on active ingredients, surface materials, and environmental conditions, and is hampered by insecticide resistance.
The overall effectiveness of anti-mosquito paint against dengue has not been proven, and there is currently no scientific data to support its widespread use for dengue control.
No plans were indicated to encourage the adoption of this paint for buildings, as its efficacy remains unverified.
The debate highlights a cautious approach by the Ministry, emphasizing the need for scientific evidence before promoting anti-mosquito paint as a public health measure.

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