Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

10 Jan 2022

Trained Medical Personnel to Explain Nature of Polymerase Chain Reaction Cycle Threshold (CT) Values to COVID-19 Patients and Release CT values to Patients

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether medical personnel are trained to explain PCR CT values to COVID-19 patients and if it is standard procedure not to release these values even when available.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung referred to a prior written reply on the same topic from 10 January 2022, indicating the matter had already been addressed.

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10 Jan 2022

Availability of Over-the-counter Therapeutic Drugs for COVID-19 Treatment

Gerald Giam asked whether the Health Sciences Authority plans to allow over-the-counter therapeutic drugs for COVID-19 treatment and which drugs are under evaluation.
Ong Ye Kung explained that over-the-counter medicines are only permitted for self-diagnosable ailments that are safe for self-use without professional supervision.
All current COVID-19 treatments are prescription-only medicines requiring medical supervision, as they often need injection or carry serious side effects.
A doctor’s assessment is necessary to confirm COVID-19 diagnosis and evaluate benefits versus risks, considering the patient’s medical conditions.

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10 Jan 2022

Data on Children Aged 12 and Above who Remain Unvaccinated Against COVID-19

Ms He Ting Ru requested detailed data on Singaporean children aged 12 and above who remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, broken down by age group, race, citizenship status, and employment status, and also asked for the number medically ineligible within those categories.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the query for written answer had already been addressed through an oral reply to Questions 13 to 15 on the Order Paper for 10 January 2022.
The debate highlighted a request for specific demographic and health data, but the government redirected the question to previously provided oral responses without issuing new figures in this session.
The exchange underscores the parliamentary process for handling data requests, where some questions are deferred to earlier answers to avoid repetition.

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10 Jan 2022

Projected Impact on Healthcare Sector in View of Survey Reporting Quarter of Workers Intending to Quit Their Jobs in First Half of 2022

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Health about the projected impact on the healthcare sector and plans to address it in light of a survey showing nearly a quarter of workers intending to quit in the first half of 2022.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that the question for written answer had already been addressed in his reply to Question Nos 33 to 35 on the Order Paper for 10 January 2022.

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10 Jan 2022

Current Capacities and Utilisation Rates of Long-term Care Services and Plans to Allocate More Resources to Nursing Homes due to Ageing Population

Melvin Yong asked for an update on the capacities and utilisation rates of long-term care services such as nursing homes, centre-based care, and home-based care, and whether more resources should be allocated to nursing homes due to ageing population demands.
Ong Ye Kung reported that as of end-2020, there were about 16,300 nursing home beds, 8,200 day care places, and 10,000 home care places.
The utilisation rates were approximately 90% for nursing homes, 52% for day care, and 57% for home care.
The Ministry stated there is currently sufficient capacity across long-term care services to meet population needs.
Capacity and utilisation rates are monitored regularly, with adjustments made to plans to address changing care demands.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on TraceTogether Usage for Contact Tracing and Entry into Public Spaces

Mr Sitoh Yih Pin inquired about the current extent of contact tracing using TraceTogether and whether its use for entry into public spaces beyond proving vaccination status is still required.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung directed that the question be answered via a prior written reply to Question No. 105 from January 10, 2022.
The debate centered on TraceTogether's evolving role post-pandemic, specifically its continued necessity for contact tracing and venue entry.
The exchange highlights a shift in policy, with the government referring to earlier official responses rather than providing new updates.
This indicates that TraceTogether's functions may have been scaled back or formally defined in prior communications.

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10 Jan 2022

Annual Number of Seniors Aged 60 and Above who Passed Away Alone at Home in Past Five Years and Expected Trend

Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that in 2020, about 10% (88,000) of Singapore residents aged 60 and above lived alone, but the government does not track the number who passed away alone at home.
The Ministry of Health is implementing initiatives like Eldercare Centres and the Silver Generation Office to provide support, befriending, and outreach to seniors, especially those living alone or at risk of isolation.
The government aims to build a community of care through whole-of-society efforts, involving community partners and agencies to help seniors age well and receive necessary support.

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10 Jan 2022

Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Long-term Symptoms of COVID-19 and Available Financial Support

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked whether vaccinated individuals with long-term COVID-19 symptoms would have medical expenses covered and for how long, and whether the Ministry would implement official guidance and support for diagnosing and treating such patients.
Ong Ye Kung clarified that Long COVID is not a formal diagnosis but refers to lingering symptoms, with patients assessed and monitored by physicians and referred for specialist care as needed, and that clinical guidelines have been issued for persistent post-COVID symptoms.
The government provides coverage for follow-up Specialist Outpatient Clinic visits for up to 90 days post-discharge for vaccinated citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders with persistent symptoms, with monitoring to ensure no longer infectious.
For other post-COVID care, patients can use regular healthcare financing like government subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave, with financial assistance schemes like MediFund available for affordability issues.

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10 Jan 2022

Outsourced Workers in Patient-facing Roles or Patient Care Areas at Public Healthcare Institutions Diagnosed with COVID-19 since Its Onset

Minister Ong Ye Kung provided statistics on COVID-19 infection rates among outsourced versus direct hire healthcare workers, showing that outsourced doctors and nurses had near-zero infection rates, while direct hire doctors and nurses had rates of 1-2% and 2-4% respectively.
For administrative and ancillary staff, outsourced workers generally had infection rates of 3-6%, but in specific institutions like NUH, CGH, KTPH, and IMH, rates were higher at 7-10% due to clusters among outsourced housekeepers and maintenance staff.
The higher infection risk for cleaners and housekeepers is attributed to the nature of their work and lapses in safe management measures in staff rest areas, leading to enhanced safety protocols by MOH.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on Integrated Development Comprising Polyclinic, Dialysis Centre and Nursing Home at Jalan Damai

Pritam Singh asked if the integrated development at Jalan Damai with a polyclinic, dialysis centre and nursing home would be delivered by 2024.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed the project was initially announced for completion in 2025, but is now delayed to 2026.
The delay is due to additional time needed to redesign the polyclinic for better infection disease control and future pandemic preparedness.

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10 Jan 2022

Data on Migrant Workers Infected with COVID-19 in 2021

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health for the 2021 percentages of migrant workers infected with COVID-19 who had no or mild symptoms, required oxygen, were in ICU, or died.
Ong Ye Kung reported that 99.9% of infected migrant workers had no or mild symptoms, 0.11% required oxygen, 0.021% were in ICU, and 0.0042% died.
The data covers Employment Pass, S Pass, and Work Permit holders from January 1 to December 27, 2021.
The figures are based on each case's worst condition during their infection.
The response highlights the low severe outcomes among migrant workers during the pandemic period.

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10 Jan 2022

Support for Overseas Singaporeans Affected by Temporary Suspension of Vaccinated Travel Lanes and Returning by Non-VTL Options

Saktiandi Supaat asked whether Singaporeans overseas affected by the temporary suspension of Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) can receive Quarantine Order (QO) Allowance and Leave of Absence/Stay-Home Notice (SHN) Support Programme if returning via non-VTL options and unable to work due to SHN or QO.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed that returning Singaporeans are eligible for the QO Allowance if issued a QO and meeting criteria, with those from Category II, III, and IV countries serving isolation under SHN and receiving a QO if identified as close contacts of a COVID-19 case.
He stated that the Leave of Absence/SHN Support Programme, introduced in early 2020, is not applicable if the LOA/SHN began on or after 7 April 2020.

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10 Jan 2022

Efficacy of Vaccinations against New COVID-19 Variants and Plans to Reduce Restrictions

The Minister indicated that detailed responses to all parliamentary queries regarding vaccine efficacy, booster policies, and hospital preparedness for the Omicron variant were addressed orally on 10 January 2022.
The debate highlighted concerns about the effectiveness of booster shots against emerging variants and the potential need for six-monthly booster schedules, with officials confirming data was provided in the oral reply.
Questions about vaccination-differentiated measures for children and breakdowns of COVID-19 deaths among the vaccinated by vaccine type were also directed to the oral response, indicating these were officially addressed.
Members of Parliament sought clarity on whether tightening group sizes and workplace returns would be affected by Omicron, with the Minister providing a consolidated reply covering these impact assessments.
The government emphasized that existing protocols for hospital surge capacity and process efficiency were part of the comprehensive oral reply to ensure preparedness for new variants.

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10 Jan 2022

Resumption of In-person Co-curricular Activities and Varying Group Sizes for Team Sports Training in Schools

Mr Christopher de Souza raised questions on resuming in-person co-curricular activities and modifying group sizes for team sports to allow smaller training groups and five-a-side formats instead of eleven-a-side.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing confirmed that in-person CCAs resumed for secondary schools and junior colleges from November 2021 with safe management measures, and plans are underway to resume national competitions like the National School Games and Singapore Youth Festival in 2022.
Modifications will be made to team sports by adjusting game formats, such as four-a-side hockey instead of eleven-a-side, and a pilot since November 2021 allows team sports training in groups of up to 10 students.
For primary schools, in-person CCAs will resume from January 2022, but the ministry will adopt a cautious approach to resuming inter-school events due to students’ vaccination status.

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10 Jan 2022

Proposal to Provide Financial Support for Bereaved Families to Offset Elevated COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment would explore providing additional financial support for bereaved families to offset elevated COVID-19-related funeral expenses.
Grace Fu Hai Yien noted that funeral costs vary based on family preferences and that additional expenses may arise from COVID-19 safety requirements such as PPE for staff handling infectious bodies.
She highlighted that bereaved families can seek financial support from public and social service avenues, including Social Service Offices, for funeral expenses.

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10 Jan 2022

Effectiveness of Pre-arrival PCR Tests and Need to Reinstate Stay-home Notice or Quarantine Order

The Minister confirmed that on-arrival PCR tests under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) have been effective, with less than 1% of over 220,000 travellers testing positive and being isolated before entering the community.
An enhanced testing regime for VTL travellers, including daily self-administered antigen rapid tests and supervised tests, has achieved a 99% compliance rate to mitigate Omicron risks.
The government currently deems the existing measures sufficient and is not considering reinstating stay-home notices or quarantine orders for VTL travellers, even with rising Omicron cases.

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10 Jan 2022

COVID-19 Omicron Variant's Impact on Vaccinated Travel Lanes

The Ministry of Transport adjusted the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme in response to the Omicron variant, including halting expansions to new countries, freezing ticket sales, and limiting daily traveler quotas.
Enhanced testing requirements for VTL travelers were introduced, such as daily self-administered antigen rapid tests and confirmatory PCR tests for positive cases.
Measures were calibrated to balance public health risks with minimizing disruption to travelers who had already made bookings.
International evidence suggests Omicron is more transmissible but less severe, with vaccinations and boosters providing strong protection against serious illness.
The government will continue to review border measures in collaboration with the Ministry of Health based on ongoing assessments.

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10 Jan 2022

Data on Full-time NSmen Who Suffered Service-related Injuries and Compensation Received in Past Five Years

From 2016 to 2020, fewer than 500 full-time NSmen (about 1.5% per cohort) suffered service-related injuries, with the majority being minor and fully recoverable.
Approximately 150 NSFs were eligible for compensation, with amounts varying by injury type, and higher compensations were given to four NSFs with fractures causing residual disability.
Compensation is tiered, including baseline insurance payouts and additional MINDEF support, with medical treatment fully funded and further compensation for discharge or prolonged leave.
Compensation schemes reference civilian standards like WICA but provide at least double for permanent disabilities from military operations or training.
MINDEF also offers case-by-case support such as counselling and emotional assistance to injured servicemen and their families.

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10 Jan 2022

Implication of New Protocol for PCR Test Results for Recovered COVID-19 Patients

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the protocol that disregards active PCR test results for recovered COVID-19 patients with high CT values also applies to newly detected, especially asymptomatic, cases at the start or end of infection.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that CT values indicate viral load but are technical lab parameters not routinely reported to patients, and they rarely affect clinical management, which focuses more on risk profile and symptom severity.
Ong Ye Kung noted that while both recovered and newly infected patients might show high CT values (low viral load), the clinical context differs: recovered patients likely shed dead viral fragments, whereas newly infected persons may have early-stage infections with rising viral loads and increased infectiousness.
He emphasized that clinical management cannot be the same for both scenarios just because CT values are similar, as the interpretation and implications vary significantly based on the patient's infection stage.

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10 Jan 2022

Additional Support for Persons Caring for Family Members with Dementia

MOH is implementing a multi-pronged approach that includes raising dementia awareness, expanding community and hospital care capacity, and providing targeted support for caregivers.
Community outreach and intervention teams, along with 14 Dementia-Friendly Communities, are being used to educate the public and create supportive environments for persons with dementia and their families.
Care accessibility is enhanced through dementia clinics in polyclinics and increased dementia day care places, while caregivers receive respite care options and financial support such as subsidies, disability grants, and insurance schemes.
MOH plans to continue reviewing dementia support needs in response to Singapore’s ageing population over the next 10 to 20 years.

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