Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

3 Nov 2021

Proportion of COVID-19 Re-infections from Cases in Local Community and in Dormitories, and Duration of Immunity following COVID-19 Infection

As of 16 August 2021, there were 32 confirmed COVID-19 reinfections in Singapore, with one-third occurring among dormitory residents and the remainder being imported cases, after which formal reinfection assessments ceased as national strategy shifted from eradication to management.
The average duration between an initial COVID-19 infection and a subsequent reinfection is approximately 300 days.
To reduce reinfections in dormitories, over 97% of migrant workers, including recovered residents, are fully vaccinated, and a multi-layered strategy includes Safe Living Measures, Rostered Routine Testing, and early isolation of symptomatic cases to contain outbreaks.

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3 Nov 2021

Existing Communication Protocol on Informing Next-of-kin of Person who Died by Suicide

Police inform next-of-kin of a suicide death as soon as reasonably practicable and may activate social service agencies like Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) to provide emotional and counselling support.
For students in schools and Institutes of Higher Learning, trained personnel identify and support affected individuals, with referrals to counsellors or mental health professionals as needed.
The Inter-agency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being will conduct public consultations for the National Mental Health Strategy, which may consider better support for the deceased’s next-of-kin and others affected.

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3 Nov 2021

Indicators for Companies to Establish Mental Health Support System for Their Employees

The Ministry of Manpower highlighted that tripartite partners have issued a no-cost advisory for employers to integrate mental well-being into existing workplace risk assessments and encourage open conversations and peer support networks.
Free or subsidised outreach programmes from the Workplace Safety and Health Council and Health Promotion Board are available to all companies, including SMEs, to address mental well-being as part of holistic workplace health initiatives.
The Minister emphasized that with the simplicity and accessibility of these resources, companies should proactively support employee mental wellness without needing to wait for specific distress indicators.

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3 Nov 2021

Review Restrictions to Facilitate Entry of Non-traditional Source Migrant Workers who Satisfy Necessary Health-related Entry Requirements

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked whether restrictions on non-traditional source migrant workers who meet health requirements, such as vaccination and quarantine, would be reviewed, especially for Category IV countries like those in South Asia.
Tan See Leng responded that travel restrictions have been lifted for non-traditional source countries including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, with entry approvals for migrant workers in the CMP sectors resuming under safe and calibrated conditions.
Migrant workers must be fully vaccinated before arrival or complete vaccination within two months after entry, and firms can use ongoing initiatives to bring workers in with tightened safety processes.
Any further changes to entry restrictions will depend on the evolving COVID-19 situation in the region.

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3 Nov 2021

Travel Arrangements for Those Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology Procedures Overseas But Whose Travel Have Been Restricted due to COVID-19

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked whether the Ministry of Health provides assistance and specific travel arrangements for those undergoing assisted reproductive technology procedures overseas but restricted by COVID-19 travel measures.
The Ministry of Health established a process for appeals to import stored gametes or embryos for treatment in Singapore, with MOH reviewing such requests expeditiously.
Fully vaccinated couples may use Vaccinated Travel Lanes to travel overseas for assisted reproduction treatment, while others face quarantine requirements or can apply to MOH for gametes/embryos import to continue treatment locally.

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3 Nov 2021

Duration that Booster Jabs will Remain Free of Charge Given COVID-19 as Endemic Posture

Miss Cheryl Chan asked how long booster shots will remain free under Singapore's living with COVID-19 model for those medically eligible.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that during the pandemic, the government provided full subsidies for nationally recommended vaccinations, including boosters.
He explained that as Singapore transitions to treating COVID-19 as endemic, the government will monitor global and local situations and periodically review the need for booster doses and their subsidy status.
The duration of free boosters will depend on ongoing assessments rather than a fixed timeline.
The government aims to balance public health needs with sustainable vaccination policies in the endemic phase.

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3 Nov 2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates of Singaporean Students Studying Abroad and Efforts to Ensure Safety of Singapore Students Abroad

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have specific statistics on the COVID-19 vaccination rates of Singaporean students studying abroad.
The Singapore government has urged overseas Singaporeans to get vaccinated and launched dedicated channels for them to return for vaccination with reduced SHN time, receiving about 250 sign-ups by late October 2021.
Overseas Missions actively engage Singaporean student communities to address COVID-19 concerns, provide consular assistance, and keep families informed if students contract or are exposed to the virus.
Missions and the Singapore Global Network use social media platforms to update students on COVID-19 information, travel measures, and safety requirements.
The Ministry will continue regular engagement and consular support to ensure the safety and well-being of Singaporean students abroad.

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3 Nov 2021

Support for Dementia Patients at High Risk of Deteriorating due to COVID-19-related Social Isolation

The Ministry of Health maintains centre-based services for dementia patients, including exercise and cognitive activities, at reduced capacities to comply with Safe Management Measures.
Community mental health services offer remote interventions like telephone or video consultations, with home visits for patients unable to access online support, to monitor and escalate care for those at risk of deterioration.
In-person services are permitted for high-risk dementia patients with severe needs, such as those lacking family support or at risk of injury, while group activities and mask-off events are curtailed.
As Singapore moves into the Stabilisation Phase, the Ministry aims to gradually resume partner activities to enable dementia patients to re-engage in social activities under Safe Management Measures.

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3 Nov 2021

Protection for Point-to-point Drivers when Ferrying Patients to and from PCR Test Venues

The Senior Minister of State outlined that passengers using private transport for PCR tests must inform drivers of their health status, with drivers advised to switch off air conditioning, open windows, clean vehicles, and passengers sitting diagonally behind, as these measures are deemed sufficient without requiring full PPE.
Concerns were raised about clearer safety protocols and support for drivers who must self-isolate, prompting commitments to enhance communication to both drivers and passengers, including potential in-vehicle reminders and updated website information.
Support mechanisms for affected drivers include rental waivers from taxi operators, medical leave insurance from Grab and Gojek, and a one-time $3,000 relief through The Courage Fund for frontliners who contract COVID-19.

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2 Nov 2021

Cleanliness and Hygiene Standards in Hotels Deployed as COVID-19 Quarantine Facilities and Feedback Avenues and Support Available to Persons under Quarantine

Hotels used as COVID-19 quarantine facilities must adhere to MOH standards for regular cleaning of premises and guestrooms to minimize transmission risk, with MND conducting audits and sharing best practices.
Feedback on cleanliness and hygiene can be given directly to the hotel front desk or via MOH’s Quarantine Order Agent hotline, with all inputs assessed by MOH and MND for follow-up actions.
The standards specify cleaning frequency and methods tailored to different settings and situations to protect both staff and persons under quarantine.

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2 Nov 2021

Data on Serious Side Effects from COVID-19 Vaccines

Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim questioned whether the Ministry of Health collects data on serious side effects from each COVID-19 vaccine to guide treatments for such cases.
Ong Ye Kung acknowledged the question and directed attention to a prior written response on similar data regarding vaccine effectiveness and side effects.
The debate highlighted ongoing parliamentary interest in monitoring and understanding vaccine safety and treatment options.

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2 Nov 2021

Breakdown of COVID-19 Deaths by Underlying Medical Conditions, Age, Duration in ICU and Vaccination Status

Leong Mun Wai requested a breakdown of COVID-19 deaths by underlying medical conditions, age, ICU duration, and vaccination status.
Ong Ye Kung referred to a prior Ministerial Statement from 1 November 2021 that addressed the query.
The referenced statement provided updates on ICU and hospital capacity, implying the data was previously disclosed.

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2 Nov 2021

Statistics on Resignations of Healthcare Workers Each Month Since COVID-19 Pandemic Compared with Pre-Pandemic Levels

Member of Parliament He Ting Ru asked for monthly statistics on healthcare workers resigning during the COVID-19 pandemic, broken down by role, reasons for leaving, and comparison with pre-pandemic levels.
Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the query was addressed in a prior ministerial statement on ICU and hospital capacity from 1 November 2021.
The debate centers on data availability regarding healthcare workforce attrition during the pandemic compared to earlier periods.

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2 Nov 2021

Proposal for SMSes on Quarantine Orders, Health Risk Warnings and Health Risk Alerts to be in Vernacular Languages

Gerald Giam asked if SMSes about quarantine orders and health risk warnings could be sent in both English and vernacular languages to ensure clarity for all recipients.
Ong Ye Kung responded that from 11 October 2021, HRWs are only issued to close contacts of COVID-19 cases, and these SMSes include links for translations in Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil.
The Ministry of Health currently provides vernacular translations via links in SMSes for HRWs, but the question on broader inclusion for quarantine orders and alerts remains addressed through existing protocols.

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2 Nov 2021

Infection of Household Members Following Policy Change for COVID-19 Persons to Recover at Home

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Health for data on households with multiple COVID-19 infections and individuals infected by household members during September and October 2021, following the policy change for home recovery.
Minister Ong Ye Kung responded that he had already addressed these questions in his reply to oral questions on 1 November 2021, referencing an official report.
The debate highlighted the need for statistics on household transmission after the policy shift, but the Minister pointed to an earlier response for the specific data requested.

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2 Nov 2021

Timeline to Expand Mental Health Infrastructure by Appropriately Equipping Polyclinics, General Practitioners and Social Service Agencies

MOH is working with the Agency for Integrated Care to expand mental health services in polyclinics and community care, including training and capacity-building for providers.
Mental health shared care teams have been established in public hospitals to support primary and community care providers through training and assessment capabilities.
By end-2021, targets were met: half of polyclinics offer mental health services, over 220 GPs trained, and 50 community outreach teams and 18 intervention teams operational.
MOH will continue reviewing mental health service provision to meet population needs, with ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and support.

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2 Nov 2021

Efforts to Encourage and Normalise Mental Health Screening through Schools, Institutes of Higher Learning, Workplaces, Hospitals and Clinics

The Government uses a risk-based approach for mental health screening, focusing resources on early identification and intervention for at-risk individuals across various settings.
Community outreach teams have reached over 350,000 people and assisted more than 26,000 at-risk individuals, with over 220 GPs trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions in the community.
Hospitals and specialist clinics screen high-risk patients during inpatient stays or appointments, with specific programmes for perinatal mental health and adolescent screening at hospitals like NUH and KKH.
In workplaces, HPB provides training to managers, HR, and employees to recognize mental health signs, with about 5,800 personnel trained as of September 2021.
Schools and Institutes of Higher Learning have systems to detect early distress in students, including trained staff, counsellors, mental health education in curricula, and peer support structures.

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2 Nov 2021

Encouraging Elderly with Minimal Underlying Medical Conditions to be Involved in Social Activities and Community

Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Health how to safely encourage elderly people with minimal underlying medical conditions to leave the house more often for social activities and community involvement, especially given the impact of the COVID-19 endemic on their mental health.
Ong Ye Kung responded that seniors are currently advised to stay home as much as possible except for essential activities due to high community COVID-19 cases, but the government recognizes the negative impact of reduced social interactions and is working to augment centre-based services, pilot resumed activities for vaccinated seniors, and provide digital offerings to keep them engaged from home.
Efforts include training seniors in digital skills through the SG Digital Office, reaching out to vulnerable seniors via tele-engagements by the Silver Generation Office, and emphasizing that family support remains a key pillar alongside government and community efforts in caring for seniors during the pandemic.

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2 Nov 2021

Extension of Home Recovery Programme to Lessen Impact upon Hospitals and Community Care Facilities

Christopher de Souza asked for an update on the Home Recovery Programme and its expansion to reduce strain on hospitals and community care facilities.
Ong Ye Kung referred to his previous written answer on 1 November 2021 regarding updated COVID-19 protocols and delays in government response teams.
The debate highlights concerns about healthcare capacity and the need for effective home-based care solutions during the pandemic.
The Minister's response indicates that the issue has been addressed in earlier parliamentary records.

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2 Nov 2021

Likelihood of Resumption of Dining Out in Groups of More Than Five Persons

The Minister for Health stated that current stabilisation measures will not remain static and will be relaxed where possible as Singapore transitions to living with COVID-19.
A key indicator for easing restrictions is the weekly infection growth rate falling below 1.0 while hospital and ICU situations remain stable.
If these conditions are met, it could allow for resuming dining out in groups larger than five, along with other activities like sports and school events.

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