Health — Topics | PAPERCUTS

4 Oct 2021

Review of Support for Hawkers to Enable Them to be COVID-19-resilient beyond One-off Relief Packages

The government will review SafeEntry access control and reduced seating capacities at hawker centres based on the prevailing COVID-19 situation, rather than making them permanent features.
The National Environment Agency is implementing programmes such as the Hawker Centres Transformation Programme and the Hawker Centre Toilet Improvement Programme to improve ventilation, spacing, and hygiene in hawker centres.
An Alliance for Action has been formed to help hawkers increase their online presence and pilot initiatives like Digital Support for Hawkers groups and a 'Common Acquirer' model for food delivery.
These measures aim to make hawker centres more resilient to public health risks and support hawkers in adapting to a post-pandemic landscape, reducing the need for continual one-off relief packages.

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4 Oct 2021

Proposal for Quicker Entry into Singapore for Fully Vaccinated Migrant Domestic Workers

Edward Chia asked if fully vaccinated migrant domestic workers (MDWs) from their source country can be prioritized for quicker entry into Singapore.
Tan See Leng confirmed that MOM will start accepting entry applications from 15 October 2021 for MDWs arriving from 1 November 2021, with a requirement for full vaccination before arrival.
The entry quota for vaccinated travellers will be tightly managed for countries with concerning COVID-19 situations to protect public health.
For unvaccinated MDWs or those needing urgent entry, employers may use an industry-led pilot programme that exempts the vaccination condition but requires full vaccination after arrival.
MOM will facilitate entry approvals within public health parameters set by the Multi-Ministry Taskforce.

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4 Oct 2021

Deaths Attributable to Second-hand Smoke in Each of Past Five Years

Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Health for the number of deaths attributable to second-hand smoke in each of the past five years based on the total burden of disease data.
Ong Ye Kung provided the annual estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study, showing 261 deaths in 2015, 266 in 2016, 271 in 2017, 284 in 2018, and 296 in 2019.
After adjusting for an ageing population, the age-standardised death rate declined from 4.32 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 4.00 per 100,000 population in 2019.

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4 Oct 2021

Steps to Ensure Safety and Well-being of In-patients at Institute of Mental Health

Murali Pillai asked about steps to ensure the safety and dignity of IMH in-patients and support for psychiatric nurses after recent court convictions for offences against patients.
Ong Ye Kung affirmed that patient safety is a top priority, with zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour, and described IMH’s protocols including staff training, team-based care, weekly patient feedback, monthly audits, and thorough incident investigations.
He added that IMH supports staff well-being through de-escalation training, peer support, individualised assistance for stress, and reminders for colleagues to look out for each other.
The Ministry will continue working with public healthcare institutions to protect the well-being of both patients and healthcare workers.

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4 Oct 2021

Singapore's Considerations when Pursuing Vaccinated Travel Lanes with Other Countries

Singapore adopts a careful and calibrated approach to reopening borders, using public health and operational risk factors to decide which countries to pursue Vaccinated Travel Lanes with.
The first VTLs were established with Germany and Brunei, with plans to expand to more countries as details are finalized and announced.
VTL protocols may be adjusted based on evolving COVID-19 conditions in Singapore and overseas, including thresholds for expanding or suspending active lanes.

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4 Oct 2021

Concussion-related Injuries among Students in Contact Sports for Co-curricular Activities

Melvin Yong asked whether concussion-related injuries are common among students in contact sports CCAs and what safeguards are in place for their long-term health.
Chan Chun Sing stated that such injuries are rare, with fewer than eight cases annually from 2017 to 2019, and only two cases in 2020 with none in 2021 due to pandemic disruptions.
The Ministry of Education provides sport-specific safety guides, concussion management guidelines, and resources for schools to recognize and manage injuries, including requiring medical clearance and a graduated return-to-sport strategy.
Protective gear like head guards and helmets are compulsory in some sports, and paramedics trained in head-spine injury management are present at major competitions.

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4 Oct 2021

Food Poisoning Involving Home-based Businesses and Measures to Support and License Them

Ms Foo Mee Har asked for statistics on the number of home-based food businesses, their growth trend, and proposed tailored licensing to support their sustainable growth.
Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye inquired about the annual number of food poisoning cases linked to these businesses over the past five years and the hygiene standards imposed on them.
Minister Grace Fu explained that home-based food businesses operate under HDB/URA schemes with scale limitations, are not required to be licensed due to low risk, but must comply with food safety laws, with average cases under five per year.
The Singapore Food Agency is considering making it mandatory for home-based food business owners to complete food safety training and certification to improve standards.
Businesses wishing to expand beyond home operations are advised to set up licensed food premises outside their homes.

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4 Oct 2021

Ensuring Resiliency of Public Transport Services Given Recent COVID-19 Clusters at Public Transport Nodes

Desmond Choo asked about measures to ensure public transport resiliency against COVID-19-related manpower losses and to assure commuters of hygiene maintenance.
S Iswaran responded that the queries were addressed in a previous reply to Question No. 56 on 14 September 2021.
The debate highlighted concerns over COVID-19 clusters at transport nodes and the need for robust service continuity and cleaning protocols.

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4 Oct 2021

Reducing Duplication of One-stop Online Platforms Developed for Mental Wellness

Dr Wan Rizal questioned why a new one-stop mental health portal is being developed instead of building on existing platforms and how it will differ from them.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that the new portal aims to provide a trusted, curated source of reliable mental health information amidst the confusion of current online resources.
The portal will be developed on the existing HealthHub platform and does not intend to reduce the number of information sources but to consolidate credible content.

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4 Oct 2021

Conditions that Will Prompt IMH Community Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team to Conduct Home Visits

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Health about the number of clients served by the IMH Community Mental Health Team in the last two years and the conditions that would lead its mobile crisis team to conduct home visits.
Ong Ye Kung responded that the IMH Community Mental Health Team has served about 2,300 patients since August 2019.
The mobile crisis team provides crisis interventions for individuals with known or suspected mental health conditions who are at risk of harm to self or others or are unable to care for themselves.
Home visits are prompted by critical situations where individuals are in immediate danger or severely impaired.
The team's role includes psychosocial rehabilitation for discharged patients in their homes.

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4 Oct 2021

Mental Health of full-time National Servicemen during COVID-19 Pandemic

MINDEF/SAF has a Mental Health Support System with education, prevention, detection, and intervention measures for full-time National Servicemen.
During the pandemic, the SAF introduced new initiatives such as mental well-being campaigns, tele-counselling, and online resources to address COVID-19-specific challenges.
Commanders are trained to identify mental health issues and regularly interview servicemen, with additional support from para-counsellors, psychologists, and a 24-hour hotline.
The SAF encourages family and friends to report any signs of distress in servicemen via the NS Call Centre.
Measures will continue to be monitored and updated as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

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4 Oct 2021

Prioritising Mental Health Care and Support for Singaporeans

Wan Rizal highlights the rising suicide rates and proposes a LAST approach—Literacy, Accessibility, Screening, and Time-outs—to address mental health, emphasizing infrastructure expansion and cost reduction.
The government outlines existing efforts, including the Community Mental Health Masterplan, subsidies, and new task forces, while committing to review financial support and engage the public on a national mental health strategy.
Both speakers stress the need for a whole-of-society approach, early intervention for vulnerable groups, and destigmatization, urging collaboration across sectors to prioritize mental well-being.

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4 Oct 2021

Financial Assistance for School Canteen Operators Given Home-based Learning

The Ministry of Education granted rental waivers to school canteen operators during school closures, with four months in 2020 and two months plus a half-month in 2021 to support them during the pandemic.
There are currently about 2,380 school canteen stallholders across government and government-aided schools, a slight decrease from 2,410 in 2020.
Both canteen operators and their assistants can access the COVID-19 Recovery Grant if they meet the qualifying criteria, addressing concerns about financial assistance for affected staff.

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4 Oct 2021

Timeline for Schools to Return to Normalcy with COVID-19 Endemic Status in Singapore

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is taking a calibrated approach to resume in-person Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) and enrichment activities, with secondary and higher education levels resuming in August under safe management measures before being suspended again in September due to tightened community measures.
For primary school students who are not yet vaccinated, MOE is adopting a more cautious stance, keeping in-person CCAs suspended while monitoring the situation to decide on a safe resumption with stringent measures.
MOE recognizes the importance of CCAs for student development and well-being and aims to resume these activities as soon as possible, aligned with the national posture and COVID-19 testing protocols.

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4 Oct 2021

Impact of Home-Based Learning on Students' Learning and Development

Darryl David and Hazel Poa questioned the impact of home-based learning (HBL) on students and whether it might become a more permanent feature, especially given COVID-19 spikes and exam cohorts.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized that HBL is not a full substitute for in-person schooling, citing costs to learning, socio-emotional development, and family burden, and noted a targeted approach is now preferred over broad HBL.
The Minister explained that recent HBL for primary schools was a precaution for the PSLE cohort, with schools using technology to maintain learning and well-being, and staying open for high-needs students.
Chan Chun Sing indicated that secondary school HBL is less likely due to higher student vaccination rates, and any extension for primary schools would be announced later in the week after internal preparations.

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4 Oct 2021

Updated Protocols for Serving Quarantine Orders at Home and Support Measures for Persons with Disabilities, the Young and the Elderly

The Ministry of Health outlined its response to surging COVID-19 cases, emphasizing a shift to home recovery for most patients to preserve hospital capacity for severe cases, while deploying additional ambulances and expanding ICU and community care beds.
MPs raised concerns about support for vulnerable groups like the elderly, disabled, and young during quarantine, with the Ministry clarifying that caregivers can accompany them and Home Recovery Buddies are available for assistance, while acknowledging challenges with hotline responsiveness and IT issues like TraceTogether status clearance.
The debate highlighted operational strains, including delays in processing quarantine queries and conveying elderly patients to hospitals, with the Ministry committing to streamline protocols, improve communications, and bolster resources through private sector partnerships and more testing centers.

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4 Oct 2021

Update on Government Decisions and Measures as Singapore Moves into Endemic Stage of COVID-19 Situation

Minister Ong Ye Kung explained that Singapore tightened measures to protect healthcare capacity, highlighting that over 83% are fully vaccinated, leading to mild symptoms for 98% of cases, but hospital strain from rising infections necessitated a "tap on the brakes" approach.
The Home Recovery Programme is central to managing COVID-19, with 9,800 participants and over 2,800 discharged; issues like timely contact and conveyance are being resolved, and patients can request isolation facilities based on medical or family circumstances.
Vaccination remains key, with booster shots underway for those aged 50 and above and the immunocompromised, while the Expert Committee reviews data for younger groups and heterologous vaccine strategies.
The government is simplifying healthcare protocols, including Quarantine Orders and Stay-Home Notices, to improve public understanding and communication.
The Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP) assesses claims based on vaccine relation and severity, with reasons for rejection shared and avenues for reassessment available if new medical information is provided.

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14 Sep 2021

Easing Movement Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Migrant Workers

Members of Parliament asked about easing movement restrictions and expanding social activities for fully vaccinated migrant workers, including a timeline and vaccination rates.
The Minister for Manpower stated that over 90% of dormitory migrant workers are fully vaccinated, similar to the general adult population.
The Ministry will take a careful, calibrated approach to easing restrictions to avoid a spike in infections while safeguarding workers’ health and mental well-being.
Measures include easing restrictions within dormitories, increasing visits to Recreation Centres, and piloting guided community visits for vaccinated workers.
The approach aims to slow the spread of infection and gradually ease restrictions without unwinding previous gains.

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14 Sep 2021

Incidences of Pregnant Employees Leaving Workforce over Fears of Contracting COVID-19 and Initiatives to Protect Their Rights before Vaccination

The Minister confirmed there have been no complaints lodged by pregnant employees against employers for ignoring workplace safety concerns regarding COVID-19, with queries generally resolved through MOM's clarifications and advice.
Employers are encouraged to accommodate pregnant employees' requests for alternative work arrangements, such as redeployment to lower-risk settings or work from home, as part of safe management measures.
The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination has advised that pregnant women can be vaccinated, with no evidence suggesting harm from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, and they may consult doctors for concerns.
The Multi-Ministry Task Force has announced initiatives like ramping up workplace testing to detect infections early, aiming to ensure a safe environment for all employees.
Pregnant employees are advised to raise safety concerns with their employers and approach MOM if mutually agreeable work arrangements cannot be reached.

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14 Sep 2021

Minimum Indoor Air Quality Standards and Proposed Installation of Carbon Dioxide Monitors and Air Filters for All Buildings

Murali Pillai proposed imposing minimum indoor air quality standards and requiring carbon dioxide monitors and air filters in all public and commercial buildings after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Building and Construction Authority currently mandates ventilation standards for new and majorly renovated buildings, with regular updates to the Singapore Standard for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation.
During the pandemic, agencies issued guidelines to improve ventilation and indoor air quality, but these are voluntary and not legally enforced.
There are no existing requirements to install carbon dioxide monitors, though building owners may choose to use them to assess ventilation adequacy.

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