Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

5 Oct 2021

Measures to Prevent Personal Information from TraceTogether Usage from Being Hacked

Gan Thiam Poh asked about the risks of personal information from TraceTogether being hacked and the measures to prevent such attacks.
Mrs Josephine Teo explained that TraceTogether data is encrypted, stored locally on devices, and deleted after 25 days, with uploads to government servers only when legally required.
Measures include encrypted databases, field-level encryption or hashing of identifiers, logged and monitored access, and annual penetration testing of systems.
The COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act imposes penalties of up to $20,000 fine or two years’ imprisonment for unauthorized disclosure or misuse of contact tracing data.

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5 Oct 2021

Singapore's Potential to be COVID-19 Vaccines R&D and Production Hub

Singapore is developing its vaccine manufacturing base, with BioNTech, Thermo Fisher, and Sanofi set to produce vaccines locally, though it currently does not make finished vaccines and instead produces active components.
The government is strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem, including through the PREPARE programme, to build platforms for developing both infectious and non-infectious disease vaccines.
These combined efforts aim to secure Singapore's position as a leading pharmaceutical hub and enhance its preparedness for future pandemics.

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5 Oct 2021

Singaporeans and Permanent Residents Domiciled Overseas Entering Singapore to Serve National Service

Between January 2020 and August 2021, 1,082 Singaporeans and Permanent Residents based overseas returned for National Service enlistment.
Returnees follow the same national travel health measures as all returning citizens and permanent residents, including bearing the cost of quarantine and Stay-Home Notice since 1 January 2021.
The average expenditure for quarantine and Stay-Home Notice is about $2,200 per person, with the option to appeal to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority for waivers on exceptional grounds.

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5 Oct 2021

Raising Awareness amongst Pharmacists to Spot Signs of Domestic Violence and Teaching Domestic Violence Victims to Seek Help with Non-verbal Cues or Code Words

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked what more can be done to raise awareness and expand the pool of trained pharmacists to spot signs of domestic violence, and whether the Ministry will promote the use of code words or non-verbal cues for victims to seek help.
Masagos Zulkifli B M M responded that a whole-of-society effort is needed, citing the Taskforce on Family Violence’s 16 recommendations to improve support, protection, prevention, and awareness.
MSF has collaborated with partners like Unity Pharmacy to train pharmacists and retail assistants in detecting family violence, and has distributed brochures and posters in retail outlets to reach out to victims discreetly.
The Taskforce endorsed the suggestion to use non-verbal cues or code words for help, and MSF is exploring ways to implement this, with further details to be released later this year.
MSF will continue expanding outreach to more organisations, especially those with direct contact with potential victims, and welcomes partnerships to strengthen community detection of family violence.

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5 Oct 2021

Arrangements for Students Served a Quarantine Order or Stay-Home Notice to Take National Examinations

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim inquired whether students under quarantine or stay-home notices could take national exams in dedicated facilities rather than be barred from them.
The Ministry of Education and SEAB announced special arrangements in September 2021 allowing such students to sit for exams with strict testing and safety measures.
Students on Quarantine Orders must provide negative PCR and ART tests before exams and follow stringent venue protocols.
Those on Stay-Home Notices can also take exams under similar conditions, with exceptions for compassionate travel cases.
The arrangements cover PSLE and GCE N, O, and A level examinations, starting from the 2021 year-end session.

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5 Oct 2021

Shorter Wait Times for Households who Need Migrant Domestic Workers for Care Needs

Mr Dennis Tan asked the Ministry of Manpower to expedite the entry of more migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to reduce wait times for households needing care for seniors and children.
Minister Tan See Leng explained that the government is prioritizing MDWs for urgent caregiving needs and will accept new applications from vaccinated MDWs from 15 October, with entry from 1 November, though wait times may be three to six months due to public health limits.
A pilot programme by the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) is helping to safely accelerate MDW entry for urgent cases, with efforts to scale it up and expand to other countries as feasible.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Number of Suicides and Unnatural Deaths by Work Permit Holders in Last Five Years and Rate of Such Incidences in Last Six Months Compared to Pre-COVID-19 Times

From 2016 to 2020, the rates of suicides and unnatural deaths among work permit holders were consistently lower than those of the general population, with an average of 14.5 unnatural deaths and 4.2 suicides per 100,000 persons compared to 17.2 and 8.3 respectively for the general population.
In the first half of this year, the annualised rates of unnatural deaths and suicides among migrant workers decreased from the 2020 highs and fell within the pre-COVID-19 range observed between 2016 and 2019.
The government has implemented a seven-point strategy under Project DAWN since November 2020 to support migrant workers' mental health, including awareness programs, early identification of at-risk individuals, and access to counselling and peer support services.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Inspection of Workplaces for Breach of Safe Management Measures and Breaches Discovered

Since March 2020, the Ministry of Manpower conducted nearly 45,000 inspections of workplaces for breaches of safe management measures, with 21,000 during the Circuit Breaker period and 24,000 from June 2020 to September 2021.
The Ministry issued 140 Stop Work Orders, 247 Remedial Orders, and 399 Composition Fines to 776 companies, with common breaches including failure to implement work-from-home arrangements, not wearing masks, and not maintaining safe distancing.
The Ministry does not notify companies or workplaces in advance of inspections.

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4 Oct 2021

Number of Cardiac Arrest Emergencies Taken Place in Parks and Park Connectors where Automated External Defibrillators were Used and Usage and Promotion of myResponder App

From July 2018 to June 2021, there were close to 50 cardiac arrest incidents in parks and park connectors, with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) used in each case.
About 200 AEDs have been installed in high-visitor parks and park connectors, with plans to install more in consultation with the SCDF.
As of September 2021, over 180,000 users have downloaded the myResponder app, and the SCDF is promoting it through partnerships, campaigns, and public engagement programmes.

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4 Oct 2021

Mental Health Support for Frontline Individuals Repeatedly Exposed to Quarantine Orders at Dedicated Quarantine Facilities

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim raised concerns about the mental health support for frontline workers like taxi drivers, private-hire car drivers, nurses, and doctors who face repeated Quarantine Orders at dedicated facilities.
Ong Ye Kung highlighted government and tripartite initiatives such as driver relations teams and peer support programs to help workers voice concerns and access counselling.
Training sessions and workshops, including those by HPB and public healthcare institutions, are provided to equip workers with stress management skills.
Frontline workers can also use resources like Mindline.sg and national hotlines for additional mental health support.

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4 Oct 2021

Update on Progress of COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and Protocols in Place for Recovering Patients

The Ministry addressed the rollout of COVID-19 vaccine boosters, including eligibility numbers and an estimated timeframe for completing shots for those aged above 60.
Officials clarified the number of individuals who have received the Sinovac vaccine through the public health programme and confirmed booster options for those who opted for Sinovac or Sinopharm.
The Ministry outlined measures to improve communication and support for home recovery patients, including clearer protocols and faster notifications for transfers to care facilities.
Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme coverage was discussed, including how many additional vaccines are under consideration and whether Sinovac/Sinopharm recipients are included.
The Minister acknowledged plans to recognise healthcare workers for their efforts in managing COVID-19 over the past year.

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4 Oct 2021

Possible Increase in Patients Seeking Medical Attention for Eyesight Problems Due to Work-from-home and Home-based Learning and Plans to Educate Public on Maintaining Good Eye Health

Melvin Yong asked whether the Singapore National Eye Centre saw more patients with eyesight issues due to work-from-home and home-based learning, and if the Ministry plans public education on eye health.
The Singapore National Eye Centre cannot quantify the increase in patients, but its ophthalmologists have conducted webinars and media interviews on eye care for home-based work and study.
The Health Promotion Board runs the National Myopia Prevention Programme with vision screenings and workshops, and the Ministry will continue exploring ways to promote eye health.

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4 Oct 2021

Updates and Issuance of Quarantine Orders for Positive COVID-19 Cases and Healthcare Workers Tested Positive and Management of Manpower Resources Given Recent Spike in Cases and Move towards Endemic

Members of Parliament asked for specific data on COVID-19 cases detected via self-test kits, healthcare worker infection and quarantine numbers, and the current staffing of contact tracing operations.
Questions were raised about the delays in issuing Quarantine Orders after positive test results and whether more resources would be allocated to hotline and patient conveyance services.
The Minister referred all queries to a prior official report, indicating the government's responses were already provided during an oral reply on 4 October 2021.

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4 Oct 2021

Proposal to Allow Hospital Dental Clinics to Provide Specialised Subsided Treatment to Serve Patients in Further Locations Given Close Proximity of Dental National Specialty Centres Situated Centrally

Dr Shahira Abdullah proposed that hospital dental clinics provide specialised subsidised treatment to serve patients in further locations, given the central placement of national specialty dental centres.
Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the National Dental Centre and the National University Centre for Oral Health serve as referral centres for full subsidised dental services, including specialties.
Hospital dental clinics focus on medically indicated subsidised services for hospital patients and refer to national centres when needed.
Minister Ong added that hospital clinics can partner with national centres to expand subsidised services subject to ministry approval.

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4 Oct 2021

Available Capabilities to Detect Emerging Infectious Diseases and Pandemics and Current Assessment of Utility of Metagenomic Testing for Purposes of Detecting Novel Pathogens in Environment

Singapore has a multi-layered detection system combining international networks, local One Health agencies, and advanced laboratory technologies to monitor emerging infectious diseases and novel pathogens.
Current capabilities include state-of-the-art facilities like the National Public Health Laboratory and Environmental Health Institute, which use next-generation sequencing and other technologies to identify threats such as Zika and SARS-CoV-2.
Metagenomic testing is seen as a promising but limited tool due to the complexity of environmental microbiomes, requiring complementary epidemiological data for effective use in detecting novel pathogens.

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4 Oct 2021

Age-appropriate Basic First Aid Skills and Awareness Presently Taught in Primary Schools

Students in upper primary levels learn basic first aid skills such as treating minor cuts and burns as part of the PE curriculum.
They are taught to recognize signs of cardiac arrest and how to call for help during such emergencies.
First aid importance is reinforced through stories in SGSecure resources shared with schools.

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4 Oct 2021

Adjust Bus Service Reliability Framework Targets in Light of Bus Captains Affected by COVID-19 Infections and Related Quarantines

The Bus Service Reliability Framework was introduced in 2016 to incentivise timely bus arrivals and allows some flexibility for traffic conditions.
Recent COVID-19 infections and quarantines have reduced bus captain availability, leading to longer waiting times for some bus services.
The Land Transport Authority and bus operators are working together to manage operations and ensure rest periods for staff.
The situation has slightly improved as infection numbers decline but remains fluid.
The Land Transport Authority will exercise flexibility in assessing operator performance during this challenging period.

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4 Oct 2021

Data on Bus Routes and Passengers Affected by COVID-19 Clusters at Public Bus Interchanges and Availability of Scheme to Recruit and Retrain Private Bus Drivers who Ferry Tourists and Office Workers

Four express and city direct bus services were suspended, with alternative rail or bus options provided for affected commuters, while most services maintained waiting times without major impact.
COVID-19 clusters at bus interchanges tightened manpower, leading LTA and operators to adjust bus frequency from early September 2021 to ensure sufficient rest for bus captains.
Public transport operators are actively recruiting and training new bus captains, including former private bus and point-to-point drivers, through LTA and operator-led programs.

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4 Oct 2021

Review and Enhance Measures to Mentally Support Bus Drivers Due to Enhanced Control Measures

The Minister for Transport acknowledged the strain placed on bus drivers by enhanced COVID-19 safe management measures and affirmed that the well-being of public transport workers is a key priority for the government, operators, and unions.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Public Transport Operators (PTOs) are working with the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to provide mental well-being programs, including workshops, coaching, and training for over 4,000 workers and staff.
PTO supervisors regularly engage with drivers to listen to concerns, refer stressed workers to psychological support and counselling, and provide access to internal hotlines and public resources like Mindline.sg.
The government and operators will continue to monitor the situation and collaborate with NTWU and PTOs to support bus drivers through the challenges of the pandemic.

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4 Oct 2021

Proposal for Food Catering Businesses to Resume Catering for Events with Appropriate COVID-19 Safeguards in Place

Sylvia Lim asked if food catering businesses would be allowed to resume catering for events with COVID-19 safeguards, and when.
Gan Kim Yong explained that self-service food lines remain suspended due to high transmission risk, but individually packed food and delivery are permitted.
The government, with industry consultation, has allowed staff-served food lines at events with safe management measures as a less risky alternative.
Self-service food lines will be reviewed for resumption later, with safeguards, as Singapore transitions to living with COVID-19.

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