Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

9 May 2022

Cap on Number of Hours Nurses and Doctors Can Work Per Shift

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Health intends to cap the working hours per shift for nurses and doctors, and if not, why not.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry does not plan to impose additional caps beyond existing regulations in the Employment Act and public healthcare contracts.
He noted that junior doctors already have guidelines on weekly work hours and rest periods, and institutions must adhere to these.
Flexibility is needed to manage operational demands, especially during crises like the pandemic, and workgroups are exploring support for healthcare workers.
The focus remains on balancing sustainability, work-life balance, and the ability to respond to exigencies of service.

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9 May 2022

Pre-screening Measures for Blood Donations and Plans to Bring Back Mobile Blood Donation Drives

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked if additional pre-screening measures for blood donations implemented during COVID-19 will remain and what plans exist to bring back mobile blood donation drives.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) reviews pre-screening measures regularly and, after an April 2022 review, removed the COVID-19 travel-related deferral, but retains deferrals for close contact, respiratory symptoms, fever, and active infections.
Mobile blood donation drives continued during the pandemic at reduced frequency due to fewer company hosts, but as safe management measures relax, HSA plans to increase engagement with corporate companies to host more drives.

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9 May 2022

Review of Limits on Use of MediSave for Chronic Disease Management Medication for Patients Referred to Intermediate and Long-term Care Services

Ms Ng Ling Ling questioned the rationale for limiting MediSave use for chronic disease medications when patients move from clinics to home-based or intermediate care services and asked for a review to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that MediSave is currently restricted for unregulated home care settings, except for tightly gatekept home palliative care where medication costs are covered under specific limits.
He noted that severely disabled patients can use MediSave Care for cash withdrawals and can seek financial aid like MediFund for subsidised long-term care bills.
The Ministry plans to review extending MediSave use for chronic medications in home medical care as part of efforts to promote right-siting of care and support patient recovery at home.
The review aims to balance prudent regulation with easing financial burdens for patients using long-term care services.

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9 May 2022

Update on Impact of Holistic Health Framework in Primary and Secondary Schools

The Holistic Health Framework (HHF) supports all students in Primary and Secondary schools to acquire knowledge and skills for a healthy lifestyle through Physical Education and Character and Citizenship Education, with schools partnering parents and referring severely underweight or overweight students to Health Promotion Board's Student Health Centre for medical screening and counselling.
To manage weight issues without stigma, schools use sensitive and discreet engagement strategies like journaling, goal setting, and action planning in physical activities and nutrition, focusing on positive self-image and building active lifestyles.
The proportion of overweight students in schools has remained stable at 11–13% over the past decade, rising to 16% in the last two years due to COVID-19 impacts on physical activity, though this remains low compared to many other countries.

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9 May 2022

Percentage of Preschool Children Referred to KK Women's and Children's Hospital for Learning or Behavioural Difficulties and Support Programmes Available

Over the last two years, about 2% of preschool children were assessed annually for learning or behavioural difficulties at the Child Development Programme in KK Women's and Children's Hospital and National University Hospital, not including private institution assessments.
Children requiring low levels of support are referred to the Development Support–Learning Support and Development Support Plus programmes, which provide weekly intervention and educator guidance in preschools.
Children needing medium support may join the Inclusive Support Programme pilot, while those requiring medium-to-high support are placed in the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children or the Enhanced Pilot for Private Intervention Providers programme.
All intervention programmes include Individualized Education Plans and close parent collaboration to prepare children for transition to primary or special education schools.

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9 May 2022

Average Waiting Time for Diagnostic Tests in Public Hospitals in Last Three Years and Subsidy Options Available in Private Hospitals

The median waiting time for colonoscopy in public hospitals increased from 31 days in 2019 to 38 days in 2021, with a small number of patients waiting over five months for such tests.
Integrated Shield Plans generally do not cover cancer screenings as they are not hospitalisation or treatment, but polyclinics and CHAS GP clinics can refer patients for subsidised diagnostic tests at public hospitals or specialist centres, including direct referrals without a prior specialist consultation for certain tests.
Patients with higher clinical risks are prioritised for faster appointments, and alternative investigations are offered when appropriate to manage waiting times.

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9 May 2022

Additional Steps to Reduce Number of Dengue Cases and Update on Use of Wolbachia-Aedes Suppression Technology

The Ministry is intensifying measures such as inspections, drain flushing, and chemical treatments in dengue clusters, with community campaigns, public alerts, and outreach efforts to reduce mosquito breeding and raise awareness.
Wolbachia-Aedes suppression technology has been trialed in multiple towns, showing up to 98% reduction in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and up to 88% fewer dengue cases in areas with sustained releases, though it is not a standalone solution.
Enforcement actions include fines and court prosecutions for mosquito breeding offenses, with penalties for households, Town Councils, and construction sites, alongside ongoing community prevention efforts.

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9 May 2022

Application of Previous Ban on Visitors to Preschools by Parents and Parents of Newly-enrolled Children

Ms He Ting Ru asked whether the previous ban on visitors to preschools still applies.
The Parliamentary Secretary responded that visitor restrictions have been eased since November 2021, allowing parents to accompany newly enrolled children and permitting external photographers for graduation ceremonies.
From April 26, 2022, parents may attend parent-teacher conferences or volunteer, and prospective parents can tour preschools, but casual visitors remain restricted due to vaccination ineligibility of preschoolers.
All visitors must comply with safe management measures, including health checks and mask-wearing.

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9 May 2022

Format of Government's After-action Review on COVID-19 and Plans to Share Review Findings or Recommendations

The Government has begun a whole-of-Government after-action review (AAR) on its COVID-19 response, covering the period from the outbreak’s start to August 2021, and will share its findings with the public once completed.
The AAR, overseen by former Head of Civil Service Peter Ho, will analyze the pandemic response to extract lessons for future preparedness, including improving supply chains and national resilience.
The review will focus on strategic lessons rather than detailed financial accountability, though the Ministry of Finance will separately address queries on COVID-19 spending.

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9 May 2022

Easing of COVID-19 Rules and Impact of Pandemic on Patient Treatment and Public Healthcare System

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that vaccination-differentiated safe management measures will be maintained only for nightlife events with dancing, large gatherings of over 500 people, and F&B outlets due to the risk of future infection waves, while clarifying that unvaccinated individuals can currently enter malls and that community events like temple dinners can proceed with conditions.
Officials addressed inquiries about TraceTogether and SafeEntry tools, explaining that reactivation will depend on the severity of future pandemic situations such as new variants and hospital capacity, and urged the public to retain tokens for readiness despite concerns about legal consequences for disposal.
In response to questions on excess deaths and pandemic impacts, the Minister noted a 7% rise in Singapore’s age-standardised death rate in 2021, attributing it partly to COVID-19, and confirmed that a special report on excess deaths and the backlog of non-COVID treatments due to suspended services will be released soon.

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5 Apr 2022

Data on Number of Unvaccinated Employees Terminated due to Inability of Redeployment

Leong Mun Wai asked the Ministry for Manpower if it has data on unvaccinated employees terminated due to inability to redeploy and the number involved.
As of March 27, 2022, 98.4% of the workforce was vaccinated, with 36,900 unvaccinated local and foreign employees.
Data on unvaccinated employees who ceased employment since the Workforce Vaccination Measures began in January 2022 will only be available in mid-2022.

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5 Apr 2022

Conditions Exempted from Repeated Assessments for Disability Payouts under ElderShield

Yip Hon Weng asked about conditions exempted from repeated disability assessments under ElderShield, whether reassessments could be removed for permanent conditions like brain damage or end-stage Parkinson’s, and whether the grace period for reassessments could be extended due to healthcare manpower crunch from COVID-19.
Ong Ye Kung referred to a prior answer from 4 April 2022, indicating the question had already been addressed in the Official Report’s written answers.

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5 Apr 2022

Data on Restructured Hospitals Diverting Patients Away Due to Full Capacity and Days with Waiting Times of over Two Hours in Last Three Months

In the last three months, emergency departments at three restructured hospitals diverted ambulances on seven occasions due to full capacity, with diversions lasting between two and six hours.
The hospitals affected were Changi General Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and Sengkang Hospital, with the Minister noting the diversions were for non-critical patients to help manage capacity.
While waiting times for triage at emergency departments are typically within half an hour, the Minister did not specify the number of days with waiting times of two, four, or six hours for clinical consultation.

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5 Apr 2022

Data on Restructured Hospitals Activating Additional Wards to Contain COVID-19 Patients in Last Three Months

Member He Ting Ru asked about the number of days restructured hospitals activated additional spill-over wards and total patients admitted to these wards in the last three months.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that public hospitals increased isolation beds from about 460 pre-COVID-19 to between 960 and 1,680 during the pandemic.
He noted that surge capacity beyond standard wards was regularly activated due to the emergency nature of the COVID-19 response.

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5 Apr 2022

Plans to Allow Immediate Family Members to Visit COVID-19 Patients for Final Farewell

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked if the Ministry of Health plans to allow immediate family members special dispensation to visit COVID-19 patients for a final farewell, given the relaxation of the five-visitors-per-day rule.
Ong Ye Kung stated that critically ill COVID-19 patients are currently allowed family visits with limits to minimize infection spread in hospitals.
He noted that visiting rules will be reviewed as the pandemic situation continues to improve.

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5 Apr 2022

Plans for Development of Practical Community Mental Health Programmes

Christopher de Souza asked about plans for community mental health programmes informed by past outbreaks like SARS to help people, especially children, cope with the psychological impacts of COVID-19.
Ong Ye Kung noted that a study found 13% of respondents reported depression or anxiety symptoms during the pandemic, and existing programmes like the National CARE Hotline and HealthHub resources continue to provide support.
Specific initiatives for children and families include evidence-based parenting programmes, while schools provide mental health education and regular check-ins to monitor student well-being.
Community mental health teams, led by the Agency for Integrated Care, are being set up to offer support services to youths and others at risk.

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5 Apr 2022

Enable Families Holding Funeral Wakes to Serve Catered Food and Drinks to Visitors

Ms Sylvia Lim asked if the Government will allow families holding funeral wakes to serve catered food and drinks given the relaxation of COVID-19 measures.
Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that funeral events are exempt from vaccination-differentiated safe management measures to allow all to pay respects.
The serving and consumption of food and beverages at funeral events remain prohibited to mitigate COVID-19 transmission risks to unvaccinated attendees.
The Government will continue to monitor the situation and review this position moving forward.

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5 Apr 2022

Plans to Allow Reopening of Family KTVs and Expected Safe Management Measures

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the status of plans to reopen family KTVs and the expected safe management measures.
Gan Kim Yong announced that MTI and MHA intend to reopen nightlife, including karaoke establishments, on 19 April 2022.
The measures will include core parameters like group sizes, mask-wearing, workplace rules, safe distancing, and capacity limits.
Nightlife venues with dancing will require supervised Antigen Rapid Tests for customers before entry.

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5 Apr 2022

Number of Clinics Offering Swab-and-Send-Home Service in Each Residential Area

The Ministry does not conduct specific service planning for the number of Swab-and-Send-Home (SASH) clinics per residential area but encourages all clinics to join the scheme, with over 900 Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs) offering testing islandwide.
There is no mention of a different ratio for estates with high concentrations of senior or low-income residents, and the approach focuses on ensuring accessibility through an average of about 20 PHPCs per town, plus additional testing facilities.
To encourage higher SASH sign-ups in areas needing more testing, the Ministry and Agency for Integrated Care engage clinics for onboarding, while enhancing community access through Quick Test Centres, Combined Test Centres, and polyclinic services.

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5 Apr 2022

Measures to Help Frontline Social Workers Affected by Anxiety at Height of COVID-19 Pandemic

The Ministry for Social and Family Development (MSF) acknowledged the heightened anxiety among frontline social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and noted that stress levels are expected to ease as demand for services normalises.
MSF and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) have been promoting organizational support for mental well-being, with initiatives like the Caring for Social Service Professionals Scheme offering co-funding for counselling services and the Social Service Institute providing subsidized self-care courses.
Additional support measures include a mentoring programme for new social workers, a Sabbatical Leave Scheme for experienced professionals, and the extension of the Social Service SkillsFuture Tripartite Taskforce to address sector needs until April 2025.

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