Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

10 Jan 2022

Impact of COVID-19 on Resignation and Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals

The Minister reported that about 1,500 healthcare workers resigned from public institutions in the first half of 2021, a 4% resignation rate, with more than half aged 30-39 and 90% staying in the healthcare sector.
Resignations in 2018 and 2020 were 4,600 and 3,700 respectively, showing a downward trend before 2021, while recruitment of nurses and allied health professionals increased from 1,900 in 2018 to 2,300 in 2020 but fell to 1,300 in the first half of 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed the healthcare system, leading to challenges in retaining and recruiting staff, especially foreign nurses, due to global competition and poaching by other countries.
Public healthcare institutions have implemented support measures like counselling, helplines, and flexible work arrangements to retain staff, and supervisors discuss alternatives when resignations are initiated.
The government aims to build a local core healthcare workforce by improving awareness, expanding training pipelines, and ensuring competitive salaries, while taking a balanced approach to protect both the healthcare system and the broader population.

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10 Jan 2022

Vaccinated-differentiated Safe Management Measures

NCMP Hazel Poa urged the government to rescind the ban on unvaccinated employees returning to workplaces from 15 January, arguing it unfairly threatens their livelihoods and that the risk posed by the unvaccinated to the healthcare system is overstated.
Parliamentary Secretary Rahayu Mahzam defended the Vaccination-differentiated Safe Management Measures (VDS), stating they are necessary to protect the unvaccinated and preserve healthcare capacity, noting the unvaccinated are significantly more likely to fall critically ill and strain resources.
Poa also called for a commitment not to impose VDS on children for at least a year, citing parental concerns and the milder nature of COVID-19 in children, while the government clarified there are currently no plans to extend VDS to children aged 12 and below.
The government emphasized that VDS allows society to reopen more safely by calibrating measures for the unvaccinated rather than imposing restrictions on everyone, and that recent adjustments to VDS policies are in response to the Omicron variant's heightened transmissibility.
Both sides referenced vaccination rates and data, with Poa questioning the application of older ICU statistics to the current small unvaccinated population, and the government highlighting the disproportionate burden unvaccinated individuals place on healthcare resources.

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10 Jan 2022

Clarification by Minister for Health

The Minister for Health clarified that the earlier stated incidence rate of myocarditis in young people was inaccurate and has been corrected to 450 cases per million COVID-19 infections.
The corrected figure, sourced from a preprint, applies specifically to the 12 to 17 age group and is disproportionately weighted towards males.
The minister acknowledged the error and provided this clarification to ensure the record is accurate regarding the risks associated with COVID-19 infection in younger individuals.

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10 Jan 2022

Plans to Jumpstart Aviation Sector, Ensure Success of Singapore AirShow 2022 and Extend Vaccinated Travel Lanes in Face of Rise in COVID-19 Omicron Cases

The Minister outlined how Singapore adjusted border measures in response to the Omicron variant, including freezing new VTL ticket sales, capping traveller quotas, and enhancing testing protocols for VTL travellers and airport workers to balance travel resumption with public health safety.
Changi Airport has upgraded its air filtration and ventilation systems with MERV-14 filters, HEPA purifiers, and UV-C sanitation, while implementing stricter PPE and testing regimes for frontline staff to protect against COVID-19 transmission.
Singapore aims to rebuild its aviation hub status through continued VTL expansion and safe reopening, with passenger traffic recovering to about 15% of pre-pandemic levels by end-2021 and projected to reach 55% by end-2022, while supporting events like the Singapore Airshow 2022 with safe management measures.
The government is addressing competition from regional hubs by focusing on systemic competitiveness, safety confidence, and sustainability, while working with partners to enhance passenger volume growth within public health constraints.
Ongoing monitoring and collaboration with health and environmental agencies ensure airport measures remain effective, with attention to protecting worker welfare and integrating security protocols with COVID-19 safe management.

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10 Jan 2022

Vaccination for Primary School Students and Possibility of Vaccination-differentiated Measures for Preschools and Primary Schools

The Minister confirmed there are no plans to require COVID-19 vaccination for physical attendance in preschools or primary schools, and any vaccination-differentiated measures would be limited to higher-risk activities like team sports, with core curriculum participation being a priority.
Parents were encouraged to vaccinate their children early, with support provided for students to catch up on missed lessons if they are absent due to vaccination appointments or adverse reactions.
The government emphasized the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines for children, addressing parental concerns and suggesting that non-mRNA options like Novavax are still under assessment and not yet available.
Additional measures include plans to maintain testing capacity and ART kit supply amid the Omicron wave, while relying on self-responsibility and honesty-based protocols for self-testing and reporting.
The government explained that decisions on safe management measures are made based on prevailing conditions and healthcare capacity, without publishing rigid thresholds, to allow flexibility and avoid public panic.

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10 Jan 2022

Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines on Younger Children and Decision to Extend Vaccination to Them

The Ministry of Health commenced paediatric Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations for children aged five to 11 in December 2021, with about 123,000 children receiving at least one dose or booking appointments as of early January 2022.
In 2021, 15,540 children under 12 were infected with COVID-19, with 3,145 hospitalised but none remaining hospitalised as of January 2022; the ministry emphasizes vaccination to protect children from severe complications like MIS-C.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children is assessed as safe by local and international health authorities, with very low rates of serious adverse events such as myocarditis (about one in a million doses), and children are covered under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme.
Vaccination centres for children are equipped with paediatric care facilities, and parents are encouraged to vaccinate their children to reduce severe illness and community spread, with no booster recommendations currently for this age group.
Only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is authorised for under-18s, with special exemptions for ineligible children to receive Sinovac under a dedicated programme, which may be reviewed for younger children based on further safety data.

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10 Jan 2022

Update on COVID-19 Treatments, Vaccination Efficacy and Roll-out for Children and Booster Jabs

The Minister emphasized that Omicron is highly transmissible but less severe than Delta, with vaccines and boosters providing strong protection against severe illness, and outlined a strategy focused on vaccination, healthcare capacity, and vaccination-differentiated safe management measures (VDS) to live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease.
Vaccination efforts have achieved high coverage, with over 90% of eligible age groups vaccinated, including seniors and adolescents, and booster doses are being rolled out, while children aged 12 and below are currently exempt from VDS in schools and public spaces due to lower severe illness risk.
The government is enhancing healthcare capacity, including ICU beds and anti-viral medications, and aims to avoid tightened restrictions unless necessary, with medical bills for unvaccinated children covered by the government if they contract COVID-19.

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3 Nov 2021

Efforts to Encourage Companies to Send Their Professionals for Training on Mental Health Competencies

Dr Wan Rizal inquired about government efforts to encourage companies to train their professionals in mental health competencies to serve as workplace resource persons.
The Ministry of Manpower highlighted the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-Being at Workplaces, which lists training providers and recommends tailored approaches rather than mandatory training, noting that creating resource persons may be less practical for SMEs.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council and Health Promotion Board offer free or heavily subsidised programmes, such as the Total WSH Programme and Workplace Outreach Wellness package, which include mental well-being support and interventions.

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3 Nov 2021

Measures in Place to Identify Isolated Youths Who Spend Significant Portion of Their Time at Home and Schemes to Reach Out

The government identifies isolated youths through school staff who monitor students for signs of absenteeism or distress, conduct home visits, and collaborate with parents, while peers also support each other.
Community outreach teams from MOH and the Agency for Integrated Care raise mental health awareness and provide emotional support, while MSF partners with Social Service Agencies to offer youth activities, drop-in centres, and referrals to services.
Digital platforms such as Youthopia and online counselling services are used to reach youths, along with initiatives like Youth Corps Singapore volunteering and the Mentoring Alliance for Action to build social connections and resilience.

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3 Nov 2021

Availability of Studies on Whether Pandemic Vulnerability is Shaped by Urban Design, Demographics and Movements of Residents

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked whether studies are being conducted on how pandemic vulnerability is influenced by urban design, demographics, and resident movements, and what findings and lessons have been identified for future urban planning.
Desmond Lee responded that the government adopts a holistic approach to urban planning to ensure liveability and safety, with ongoing studies and reviews to future-proof Singapore against health threats like pandemics.
Current findings highlight the importance of adequate ventilation in mitigating disease transmission, leading to regulatory requirements for new and existing buildings to incorporate proper ventilation standards.
Improved standards have been developed for migrant worker dormitories to enhance resilience and liveability, including better ventilation and modular designs to reduce intermixing.
The government remains committed to continuing studies on environmental design to better mitigate future pandemic risks.

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3 Nov 2021

Proposal to Work with Primary Care Network to Establish Appropriate Programmes for Frail and Pre-frail Seniors and Scaling up Healthy Ageing Promotion Programme for You

Member Leon Perera asked the Minister for Health whether the Government will work with primary care networks to create clinical pathways for frail and pre-frail seniors’ physical activity programmes, scale up the Healthy Ageing Promotion Programme for You (HAPPY), and foster collaboration among primary care physicians, community nurses, and social networks to support frail seniors.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that the Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Board, and healthcare clusters have implemented various senior support programmes, with HAPPY rolled out at over 110 locations since April 2019, though COVID-19 disrupted expansion; plans continue to scale up HAPPY as senior activities resume.
The minister highlighted existing collaboration where primary care providers, healthcare clusters, and community care providers work together, with Eldercare Centres linking seniors to services and community nursing teams providing assessments, referrals, and support, while the Silver Generation Office identifies vulnerable seniors and connects them to care and social agencies.

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3 Nov 2021

Average Number of Monthly Resignations of Foreign Medical Professionals in 2019, 2020 and 2021 and Impact on Medical System to Cope with Surge in COVID-19 Cases

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked for the average monthly resignations of foreign nurses and doctors in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and whether this affected the medical system's ability to handle COVID-19 surges.
Ong Ye Kung stated that the question was addressed in a ministerial statement by the Senior Minister of State for Health on 1 November 2021.
The focus was on understanding resignation trends and their impact on healthcare capacity during the pandemic.
The ministerial response provided official data and clarification on the issue.
The debate highlighted concerns about retaining foreign medical professionals during a health crisis.

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3 Nov 2021

Proposal for MOH and MOE to Co-curate Mental Health-related Modules in Institutes of Higher Learning

Wan Rizal proposed that MOH and MOE collaborate to create mental health modules in higher learning institutes to boost the supply of mental health professionals for the national competency framework.
Ong Ye Kung confirmed that multiple ministries and the Institute of Mental Health are developing a National Mental Health Competency Training Framework to standardize training across sectors.
The framework will guide capability building, and training providers like Institutes of Higher Learning may develop aligned mental health modules.
More details on the framework will be shared once finalized, with no immediate commitment to co-curate specific modules.

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3 Nov 2021

Proposal to Make Changes to School Curriculum to Lessen Amount of Homework that May Exacerbate Stress and Anxiety during COVID-19 Endemic

Christopher de Souza proposed reducing homework in the school curriculum to lessen student stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 endemic.
Chan Chun Sing stated that MOE ensures homework loads remain manageable through school policies and a balanced approach that includes family time and rest.
He emphasized that keeping schools open and maintaining Home-Based Learning provided normalcy and social connections to ease anxiety.
The focus on student well-being over syllabus completion led to cancelling exams for some grades and removing certain topics from national assessments.
These measures collectively aim to support students' development and mitigate stress caused by pandemic disruptions.

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3 Nov 2021

Plans to Expand Project Wolbachia to Other Areas and Available Studies on Long-Term Ecological Impact Related to Release of Wolbachia-carrying Mosquitoes

The Minister confirmed that Project Wolbachia has achieved up to 98% suppression of the Aedes aegypti mosquito and up to 88% fewer dengue cases in pilot areas, with expansions already underway in Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok, Tampines, and Yishun, and small-scale trials starting in Marine Parade and at construction sites.
Comprehensive risk assessments by the National Environment Agency and its Dengue Expert Advisory Panel have determined the technology to be safe for human health and with insignificant ecological risk, a conclusion supported by global studies.
The government is using a phased approach to evaluate the technology's effectiveness and deployment strategies, with results from ongoing trials informing future expansion plans to other residential and industrial estates.

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3 Nov 2021

Flexi-work and Work-from-home Arrangements in COVID-19 as Endemic Stage

The debate centered on whether companies should have the flexibility to decide on flexi-work and work-from-home arrangements as Singapore transitions to living with COVID-19 as an endemic disease.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that workplace measures are calibrated based on public health conditions, with a current requirement for employees who can work from home to do so, and a plan to gradually ease this as the situation improves.
He emphasized that employers should consider hybrid work models for future business resilience and to support employees’ work-life harmony and engagement.

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3 Nov 2021

Proposal to Make COVID-19 Vaccination Mandatory to Relieve Pressure on Healthcare System

Murali Pillai urged the Health Minister to consider making COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all medically eligible persons, including boosters, to relieve healthcare pressure and accelerate economic reopening.
Yip Hon Weng asked whether the Ministry would mandate vaccination for those not medically exempt and whether unvaccinated individuals by choice should bear their own healthcare costs if infected.
Ong Ye Kung, the Health Minister, responded that he had addressed these issues in a prior reply to a specific question on vaccine assessment criteria.

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3 Nov 2021

Resumption of Recreational Team Sports at Public and Private Sports Facilities with Pre-event Antigen Rapid Tests

Sharael Taha inquired about the resumption of recreational team sports like football and rugby at sports facilities, with pre-event Antigen Rapid Tests required for participants.
Ong Ye Kung responded that he had already addressed this matter in a prior reply to questions on updated COVID-19 protocols.
The debate centered on the conditions for resuming team sports under pandemic measures, with a reference to existing official documentation for details.

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3 Nov 2021

Percentage of Household Members who Are Eventually Infected due to COVID-19-positive Member's Isolation on Home Recovery Programme

Chong Kee Hiong asked the Ministry of Health for the percentage of household members eventually infected due to a COVID-19-positive member's isolation under the home recovery programme.
Ong Ye Kung responded that he had already addressed this question in his earlier reply to Questions 77 to 85 on 1 November 2021.
The answer referred members to the Official Report for that date, specifically the section on updated protocols for COVID-19 patients, vaccination for children, and government response delays.

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3 Nov 2021

Adequacy of Planned Increases in ICU and Medical Beds to Cope with Potential Surge in COVID-19 Cases and Mental Well-being of Healthcare Professionals

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim questioned whether the planned increase to 180 ICU beds and 3,700 medical beds would be sufficient for a potential COVID-19 surge, citing New York City's larger-scale additions during its crisis.
Murali Pillai asked about the Ministry of Health's steps to address healthcare workers' burnout, anxiety, and psychological issues, and how barriers like stigma and practice impairments due to mental conditions are being handled.
Ong Ye Kung noted that these questions were addressed in a ministerial statement delivered on 1 November 2021 by the Senior Minister of State for Health on behalf of the Minister for Health.

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