Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

1 Aug 2022

Number of Prisoners Who Passed Away Due to Old Age and Offences Committed

From 2017 to 2021, 14 prisoners aged 65 and above passed away due to natural causes such as cancer, heart disease, and pneumonia.
The offences leading to their imprisonment included crimes like murder, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses.
As of June 2022, the oldest incarcerated prisoner was 90 years old, serving a 20-year sentence for unauthorised import or export of a controlled drug.
The 90-year-old prisoner is housed in an assisted living unit due to fall risk but remains independent in daily activities without mental deterioration.
The data reflects the age-related challenges and medical conditions among older prisoners, prompting considerations for their care and management.

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1 Aug 2022

Preventive Drug Education for Youths Travelling Overseas Given Legalisation of Cannabis Trade in Thailand

Minister K Shanmugam highlighted that cannabis use carries significant short-term and long-term harms, including cognitive impairment, mental health risks, and irreversible brain damage, and reiterated that it remains a controlled drug in Singapore.
Singapore law enforces extraterritorial jurisdiction, making it an offence for citizens and permanent residents to consume cannabis abroad, even if legally in another country.
The Central Narcotics Bureau conducts preventive education through advisories, social media, and tailored programmes for schools and youth influencers, including collaborations like the "The Adventures of Piller Parker" and "Drug Abuse, No Excuse" campaigns on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

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1 Aug 2022

Plans to Engage and Involve Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners under Healthier SG Initiative

Pritam Singh asked the Minister for Health about plans to engage and involve traditional Chinese medicine practitioners under the Healthier SG initiative.
Ong Ye Kung acknowledged that TCMPs are important stakeholders due to their holistic care approach but noted they are not as tightly regulated as Western doctors, requiring a different engagement strategy.
Since July, the Ministry of Health has been engaging the TCMP community through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board to discuss their role in Healthier SG, and the Board has expressed willingness to collaborate on the initiative.

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1 Aug 2022

Prevalence of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in General Population and Public Education Programmes on Spotting Signs and Symptoms

Joan Pereira asked whether there has been an increase in sudden heart failures among the general population and called for more public education to spot signs and symptoms.
Ong Ye Kung clarified that "sudden heart failures" refer to acute myocardial infarction deaths in people with no prior cardiac history, with 353, 359, and 389 such deaths in 2018 to 2020, and death rates per 100,000 population at 8.4, 7.4, and 7.8 respectively.
The Health Promotion Board runs public messaging on heart attack symptoms and the Screen for Life programme encourages regular health screenings for risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices.

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1 Aug 2022

Impact of Long Working Hours of Junior Doctors' Training on Patient and Doctor Safety

Leon Perera asked the Ministry of Health whether any studies have been conducted on the efficacy of 80-hour versus 70-hour work weeks for junior doctors' training and the impact of long hours on patient and doctor safety, and whether the government would consider commissioning and publishing such studies.
Minister Ong Ye Kung acknowledged that international studies link long working hours, especially beyond 24 consecutive hours, to increased patient safety risks like medical errors, and noted Singapore's guidelines limit junior doctors to 24 consecutive clinical hours with up to six hours for handover.
The Minister also highlighted that reduced work hours could lead to manpower shortages and fewer learning opportunities, potentially affecting clinical outcomes and safety, emphasizing that other factors like work processes and organizational environment also influence patient safety.
The Ministry of Health is reviewing junior doctor work hours and training outcomes through the National Wellness Committee for Junior Doctors, aiming to balance wellness with patient safety and training requirements.

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1 Aug 2022

Confidentiality Maintained by School Counsellors for Students They Counsel

School counsellors are obliged to maintain confidentiality with students but must inform them of its limits, such as when there are concerns about student safety (e.g., harm to self or others), which may require communication with parents and school leaders.
Students who receive counselling are not excluded from school-based leadership opportunities if they meet the selection criteria, as these are based on multiple factors including qualities, past participation, and interest.
The Ministry of Education is raising awareness through the refreshed Character and Citizenship Education curriculum, teaching students about mental health, empathy, and how to seek help, while also disseminating information on counselling services to students and parents via various platforms.
School counsellors work closely with teachers and parents to promote positive help-seeking behaviours, assuring students that seeking counselling is a natural means of coping with mental health issues.

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1 Aug 2022

Distribution of Mosquito Repellent to Encourage More Frequent Use

Hany Soh proposed island-wide distribution of mosquito repellents to boost awareness and usage against mosquito bites.
Grace Fu explained that NEA targets distribution to dengue cluster areas, promoting the "Spray, Apply, Wear" measures to break the dengue cycle.
NEA supports community leaders in distributing repellents with educational materials and encourages residents to buy their own.
A partnership with Temasek Foundation distributes 800,000 repellent bottles to students in preschools, primary, and secondary schools, with availability also for Social Service Office clients.

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1 Aug 2022

Efforts to Support Students and Staff After Alleged Murder in River Valley High School

Schools have strengthened mental health support through more counsellors, teacher training, peer support structures, and dedicated check-in time, leading to more help-seeking behavior from students.
All schools now have peer support systems, and MOE has enhanced staff well-being with wellness ambassadors, resources, and access to a 24/7 government counselling hotline.
Security measures are regularly reviewed, with emergency drills practiced twice a year, and MOE commits to refining efforts to ensure student and teacher safety and well-being.

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1 Aug 2022

Ensuring Adequate Rest for Nurses

Louis Ng asked the Minister for Health about the minimum rest hours nurses should have between shifts and how restructured hospitals' rosters ensure this.
He also asked if the National Wellness Committee's scope would be broadened to cover nurses' working hours and conditions, not just junior doctors.
Ong Ye Kung replied that these matters would be addressed in his upcoming statement on the nursing workforce on 2 August 2022.

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1 Aug 2022

Evidence of Community Spread of Local Monkeypox Cases and Vaccines to Protect Vulnerable Groups

As of 31 July 2022, Singapore reported 11 monkeypox cases with no evidence of community spread, as all close contacts remained symptom-free and no further local transmission was detected.
The smallpox vaccine, offered to high-risk groups and close contacts, is 85% effective, with 11 close contacts vaccinated and an adequate national stockpile maintained; mass vaccination is not recommended by WHO.
The government continues to monitor the situation, with public health measures like isolation, contact tracing, and quarantine in place, and will adjust strategies as needed based on global developments and risk assessments.

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1 Aug 2022

Update on COVID-19 Situation and Measures Given Emergence of New Variants

The Minister reported that Singapore is currently experiencing a BA.5 Omicron wave that is subsiding, with infection numbers falling, and emphasized that the government has not imposed additional social restrictions, though the healthcare system remains under stress with longer waiting times at clinics and hospitals.
Vaccination remains the key defense, with data showing strong protection against severe illness for up to 10 months after three mRNA doses; however, concerns persist about low booster uptake among 80,000 vulnerable seniors, and there are no immediate plans to expand second boosters to healthy adults under 50.
MOH is preparing to vaccinate children under five by the fourth quarter of 2022 and plans to roll out boosters for children aged five to 11 in about two months, while also promoting telemedicine and managing hospital capacity, including setting aside up to 1,000 beds in public hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

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5 Jul 2022

Plans to Involve Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Basic Healthcare System under Healthier SG Initiative

Gerald Giam asked the Minister for Health about plans to involve traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in the basic healthcare system under the Healthier SG initiative, especially for managing chronic diseases in the elderly.
Ong Ye Kung explained that Healthier SG is a multi-year national program where residents enroll with a primary care clinic for long-term care, particularly for chronic illnesses.
MOH recognizes the holistic role of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and their complement to western medicine, and will engage them to discuss their involvement in Healthier SG.

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5 Jul 2022

Higher MediSave Withdrawal Limit for Outpatient Care Treatment for Patients with Complex Chronic Conditions

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Ministry of Health to consider raising the MediSave withdrawal limit for outpatient care for patients with complex chronic conditions due to rising living costs.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that current MediSave withdrawal limits are adequate for most patients, as the majority do not reach the existing annual cap under the Chronic Disease Management Programme.
The Minister mentioned that patients facing financial difficulties can apply for other assistance schemes like MediFund at public healthcare institutions.
The Ministry of Health will continue to regularly review financing schemes to ensure healthcare affordability amid rising costs.

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5 Jul 2022

Justification for Provision of Allowance for Cases under Quarantine Order but Not for Isolation Order

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned why an allowance is provided for those under a Quarantine Order but not for those under an Isolation Order, given similar work stoppage.
Ong Ye Kung explained that Quarantine Orders target close contacts who are well but restricted, with allowances to encourage compliance and cushion economic impact.
He noted that Isolation Orders apply to infectious COVID-19-positive persons, who are not provided allowances as per standard practice for other illnesses.
The policy distinction reflects the different public health purposes: containment of spread versus treatment of active cases.

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5 Jul 2022

Second COVID-19 Booster Shot for Eligible Persons and Recent COVID-19 Cases

Yip Hon Weng asked if personal reminders will be sent to those eligible for their second COVID-19 booster shot and what the advisory is for recently infected persons.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed that the matter had already been addressed in oral replies to earlier questions on the same day.
The debate indicates that specific guidelines for reminders and post-infection booster timing exist but are not detailed in this exchange.

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5 Jul 2022

Exemption from Vaccinations for Medical Reasons in COVID-19 Vaccination Form

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired whether the form for requesting exemption from COVID-19 vaccination inadvertently prevents doctors from issuing blanket exemptions for medical reasons.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the form allows for medical review by doctors, who have been provided MOH guidance on conditions warranting blanket exemption.
The Minister confirmed that doctors can recommend blanket exemptions when deemed appropriate based on medical eligibility.

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5 Jul 2022

Use and Development of Dengue Vaccines or Drugs for Public Consumption

The Ministry of Health does not routinely offer the Dengvaxia vaccine to recovered dengue patients due to Singapore’s low dengue prevalence and the vaccine’s eligibility criteria, and it does not track the number of Dengvaxia vaccinations administered.
Takeda’s TAK-003 dengue vaccine candidate, which targets all four dengue strains, has been submitted for registration in Singapore and is currently under review by the Health Sciences Authority.
The Ministry will continue monitoring the development of dengue vaccines and therapeutics as part of a multi-pronged approach to dengue control.

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5 Jul 2022

Number of Fitness Activities for Registration Per Residents Network Cluster

Leon Perera asked if there was a reduction in the number of fitness activities each Residents Network cluster could register, and if so, what the rationale was given health promotion efforts.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Health Promotion Board had merged physical activity sessions previously split into smaller groups due to COVID-19 restrictions.
He clarified that there was no reduction in overall capacity or variety of the activities.
The changes were administrative adjustments rather than cuts to fitness opportunities for residents.

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5 Jul 2022

Number and Profile of Tuberculosis Patients in First Half 2022 Compared With Previous Two Years

The Minister for Health explained that data for the first half of 2022 is not yet available, but the incidence of active TB disease was 34 and 33 cases per 100,000 residents in 2020 and 2021 respectively, with nearly half of new cases in 2021 aged 60 and older.
Recent screening at Block 2 in Jalan Bukit Merah identified both active TB disease and latent TB infection, with many older Singaporeans having latent TB from past exposures, though only about 10% may develop active disease in their lifetime.
Key measures to reduce TB spread include early detection and prompt treatment for symptomatic individuals, adherence to complete treatment, and contact investigations by the National Tuberculosis Programme to test and manage close contacts.

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5 Jul 2022

Use of MediSave by Senior Citizens for Payment of Anti-glaucoma Medication

Joan Pereira asked if senior citizens could use MediSave to pay for anti-glaucoma medication.
Ong Ye Kung responded that seniors aged 60 and above can already use up to $300 per year of their MediSave for glaucoma medication at public institutions and CHAS clinics, with costs typically $20–$30 monthly after subsidies.
The Ministry stated it will continue reviewing healthcare financing schemes to balance affordability and ensure savings for future healthcare needs.

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