Health

3,662 debates and bills about health

6 May 2026

Incorporating Dental Screening and Malnutrition Risk Assessment into Healthier SG

Dental screening and malnutrition risk assessment are not integrated into Healthier SG but addressed through existing initiatives.
Project Silver Screen provides senior dental, vision, and hearing screening at community nodes.
CHAS dental subsidies were enhanced in October 2025, covering preventive and restorative procedures including dentures.

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6 May 2026

Data on Private Hospital Bill Increases That Can Be Attributed to Doctors’ Professional Fees Rather Than Facility Fees

Private hospital bills grew 13% annually; professional fees made up 40%, rising 9% yearly.
Facility and hospital-related fees rose 15% annually, driving most cost growth.
Government counters costs via benchmarks, claim rules, and industry committee.

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6 May 2026

Medical Reviews under Refreshed NS Medical Classification That Result in Vocational Reassignments

Refresh optimizes servicemen deployment amid evolving warfare, not just combat staffing.
Precise medical grading lets 1,200 more annually take expanded roles.
Redeployment remains for medical changes; new system starts 2027.

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6 May 2026

Studying Negative Health Impact of Sustained Exposure to Second-hand Smoke from Neighbouring HDB Units on Children and Elderly

MOH confirms second-hand smoke harms health but has no plans to issue official guidelines.
MP seeks clear thresholds for harmful exposure duration to guide HDB smoking policies.
Minister says health impact is already considered, with enforcement under MSE/NEA's purview.

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6 May 2026

Monitoring Insurers who Raise Base Integrated Shield Plan Premiums that Negate New Rider Savings

MOH won't regulate IP premium hikes, citing rising healthcare costs; new riders save 35-40%.
MAS enforces claims fairness, FIDReC handles disputes; seniors can right-size; public healthcare assures access.
MOH studies private cost drivers and engages insurers but respects commercial pricing decisions.

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5 May 2026

Reviewing WICA 2019 Requirement for Doctor-Prescribed Therapy Billing and Application in Private Healthcare Settings

WICA claims for physiotherapy/occupational therapy require doctor prescription and billing; direct therapist billing in private clinics is not claimable.
Requirement ensures medical oversight of treatment plans and controls healthcare and work injury insurance costs.

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5 May 2026

Presence of US-Recalled Eye Drops in Singapore's Market and Regulatory Assurance of Eye Product Hygiene Standards

US-recalled eye drops are not registered or sold in Singapore.
HSA reviews safety, quality, sterility, and requires ISO certification for manufacturers.
HSA conducts post-market surveillance, including global adverse events, to trigger recalls.

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5 May 2026

Introduction of Standardised Malnutrition Screening at Polyclinics and Active Ageing Centres

Ms Elysa Chen asked if standardized malnutrition screening would be introduced at polyclinics and Active Ageing Centres.
She cited 2025 data showing about 40% of hospitalised seniors aged 65+ were at malnutrition risk.
Minister Ong Ye Kung deferred the answer to a later sitting.

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5 May 2026

Comparative Study of Surgical Procedure Unit Costs in Singapore Against Other Ageing Developed Economies

MOH has not compared surgical unit costs; differing cost structures across countries make such studies meaningless.
Singapore spends less on healthcare as GDP share than ageing developed peers, with good health outcomes.
Cost drivers: ageing, medical advances, manpower; managed via value-based care, fee benchmarks, limited insurance.

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5 May 2026

Data on Recorded Pregnancy Losses and Demographic Trends in Singapore over Past Five Years, and Follow-Up Care and Psychological Support

MOH does not track pregnancy loss numbers in Singapore.
Maternal age rising: first-time mothers median now 32, up from 30.
Public hospitals give medical support; psychological support available if needed.

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5 May 2026

Age-of-Diagnosis Trends for Key Cancers over Past 10 Years and Reviewing Subsidised Screening Age Thresholds for Younger Singaporeans

Median age at diagnosis for breast, colorectal, lung, and stomach cancers increased from 2013 to 2023.
Screening Test Review Committee considers local data, evidence, and international guidelines.
No commitment to lower subsidised screening age thresholds; MOH follows committee recommendations.

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5 May 2026

Participation Rates of Seniors in Fall-Risk Prevention Programmes and Outcomes in Past Five Years, and Future Expansion Plans

Over 25,000 seniors joined HPB and SportSG fall-risk programmes in five years.
Effectiveness shown: 70% improved strength/mobility in HPB; 85% improved in CALM.
Programmes to expand to reach 10,000 more seniors by end-2026.

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5 May 2026

Review on Integrated Shield Plan Distribution Model and Impact on Overall Healthcare Costs

Premium hikes mainly driven by claims, not commissions.
Financial advisors help consumers choose suitable plans.
Insurers may offer alternative distribution channels like direct purchase.

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5 May 2026

Review of Current Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines and Expansion of Screening to Non-Smokers for Early Detection

MP asked about reviewing lung cancer screening guidelines and CT scans for non-smokers.
Minister referred to prior answer from March 6, 2026, instead of addressing anew.

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5 May 2026

Implementing Subsidies for Pre-IVF Fertility Tests in Ongoing Review of Fertility Health Policies

Existing subsidies for medically indicated fertility tests cover up to 70% at public specialist clinics.
Health Ministry and PMO are reviewing fertility policies, including financing support for such tests.

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5 May 2026

Petrochemical Feedstock Cost Pressures on Public Hospital Procurement and Diversification of Medical Supply Chain

MOH reports manageable procurement cost increases since March 2026; stockpiles unaffected.
Hormuz medical supplies are under 1%; downstream petrochemical effects are monitored.
Suppliers diversified across Asia-Pacific, Europe, Americas; ALPS bulk purchasing stabilises prices.

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5 May 2026

Data for Median Total Out-of-Pocket Expenditure from First Antenatal Visit to Delivery in Public Hospitals

MOH does not track out-of-pocket costs from antenatal visits to delivery.
In 2024, 8 in 10 subsidised public hospital deliveries had zero out-of-pocket payments.

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5 May 2026

Safeguarding against Disadvantage to Servicemen in Their Future Civilian Careers and Insurance Eligibility with Changes to NS Medical Classification System

Strict confidentiality of servicemen's medical and mental health data will continue under refreshed MCS.
Data access stays restricted to authorised personnel; never shared with civilian employers or insurers.
Measures balance manpower optimisation with safeguarding future careers and insurance eligibility.

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5 May 2026

Singaporeans Receiving Medical Benefits under Medical Benefits Scheme (Blood Transfusion Service)

The Medical Benefits Scheme for blood donors was discontinued in 2002.
Existing recipients continue receiving benefits; 652 such individuals remain.
Singapore now follows a fully non-remunerated voluntary blood donation system.

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5 May 2026

Subsidies Given for Continuous Glucose Monitoring Medical Device

MOH does not track numbers of adults or children receiving continuous glucose monitoring subsidies.
Subsidies depend on cost-effectiveness and supplier pricing for Singapore.
MOH regularly reviews CGM models and discusses with suppliers on expanding coverage.

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