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Healthcare in Singapore

Healthcare in Singapore is under the purview of the Ministry of Health of the Government of Singapore. It mainly consists of a government-run publicly funded universal healthcare system as well as a significant private healthcare sector. Financing of healthcare costs is done through a mixture of direct government subsidies, compulsory comprehensive savings, national healthcare insurance, and cost-sharing.

The Bowyer Block at the Singapore General Hospital now houses the SGH Museum which was officially opened in May 2005.

The Singaporean public health insurance system is based on programs run by the Central Provident Fund, primarily Medisave, a mandatory medical savings account scheme. All working citizens and permanent residents are obligated to set aside a portion of their income into Medisave accounts, which they can draw upon to pay their own medical bills and those of their immediate family. The Central Provident Fund also manages the MediShield and MediFund insurance schemes, which cover people with insufficient savings or those who have depleted their savings. In addition, the government provides subsidies for the medical expenses of citizens and permanent residents who receive treatment in public hospitals.

Singapore generally has an efficient and widespread system of healthcare. In 2000, Singapore was ranked 6th in the World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems.[1] Bloomberg ranked Singapore's healthcare system the most efficient in the world in 2014.[2] The Economist Intelligence Unit placed Singapore 2nd out of 166 countries for health-care outcomes.[3] Bloomberg Global Health Index of 163 countries ranked Singapore the 4th healthiest country in the world and first in Asia.[4]

Development of life expectancy in Singapore

As of 2019, Singaporeans have the world's longest life expectancy, 84.8 years at birth. Women can expect to live an average of 87.6 years with 75.8 years in good health. The averages for men are lower, with a life expectancy at 81.9 years with 72.5 years in good health.[5]

According to global consulting firm Towers Watson, Singapore has "one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes".[6] For the most part, the government does not directly regulate the costs of private medical care. These costs are largely subject to market forces, and vary enormously within the private sector, depending on the medical specialty and service provided.[6]

History edit

 
Sir Stamford Raffles brought along a single doctor named Thomas Prendergast in Feb 1819 — by most accounts accepted as the time when Western medicine first arrived on the island.[7]

Early colonial years edit

Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in January 1819, with a single accompanying doctor, a sub-assistant surgeon named Thomas Prendergast, then the medical officer in Penang's General Hospital.[7]: 12  After a treaty was signed allowing the British East India Company to set up a trading post in Singapore, Prendergast oversaw the newly established post's medical needs until William Montgomerie arrived and served as Singapore's first surgeon.[8] Prendergast, as a military doctor, was put in charge of the first General Hospital on the island — a small shed erected near the junction of Bras Basah Road and Stamford Road in 1821.[7]: 12 

Singapore in the early colonial years was a poorly funded trading post with severe budget constraints due to Raffles' commitment to keep it as a free port, which meant that the administration was not able to raise funds through customs duties.[9] This made health care substantially more difficult to provide for in this new but bustling port. Diseases such as cholera, smallpox, enteric fevers, typhoid and venereal diseases were common.[7]: 12  Even the General Hospital building, which was supposed to be an "elite" healthcare institution in the early days, had to be replaced twice by 1830 because it was "dilapidated and full of holes".[7]: 14 

Healthcare providers edit

The healthcare system in Singapore is divided into two sectors; statutory boards and institutions (which are then divided into public and private streams).[10] There are a variety of statutory boards in place, including the Medical Council, Dental Council, Nursing Board, Pharmacy Council, and Optometrists and Opticians Board.[10] Healthcare institutions can be divided into public and private hospitals and healthcare providers. All hospitals in Singapore have been structured as government corporations since the 1990s, constantly competing with one another to have the most advanced services, and technology available.[11] There are multiple spheres and levels to both the public and private streams.

Public health system edit

Since the 1990s, all public hospitals, polyclinics, and specialty centres have been restructured as government-owned corporations, and operate under three healthcare groups or "clusters":

  1. National Healthcare Group
  2. National University Health System
  3. SingHealth

The 10 public hospitals comprise eight general hospitals (AH, SGH, NUH, CGH, TTSH, KTPH, NTFGH & SKH), and 2 specialized hospitals (KKH & IMH).[12] In addition, there are 9 national specialty centres for cancer (NCCS & NCIS), cardiac (NHCS & NUHCS), eye (SNEC), skin (NSC), neuroscience (NNI) and dental care (NDCS & NUCOHS).[12]

As of 2019, Singapore had a total of 14,297 doctors in its healthcare system, giving a doctor-to-population ratio of 1:399. The nurse-to-population ratio (including midwives) was 1:133, with a total of 42,777 nurses. There were 2,475 dentists, giving a ratio of 1 dentist to 2,304 people.[13][14]

Approximately 70–80% of Singaporeans obtain their medical care within the public health system. Overall government spending on public healthcare amounts to 1.6% of annual GDP. As of 2013, this amounted to an average of $1,104 Government Health Expenditure per person.[15] Health-related spending is the third largest expenditure item, after defence and education expenses.[16] As the median age of the population increases, Singapore's healthcare spending is expected to rise. Healthcare spending has risen from $4 billion in 2011 to $9.8 billion in 2016.[17][18]

Singapore has a strong reputation for health services and healthcare systems; in 2000, the country was ranked sixth in the world by the World Health Organization.[19] Public hospitals have autonomy over management decisions, and compete with one another for patients.[20] General hospitals have a variety of functions and services; they mainly represent multi-disciplinary acute inpatient and specialist outpatient services, have 24-hour emergency centers, and often specialize in a specific field of medicine (cancer research, neuroscience, dental care, cardiac care, etc.).[20] Singapore has an array of hospitals and health services available, as well as community hospitals that exist as an intermediate form of healthcare for people who do not require the services of a general hospital but cannot cope at home.[20] The funding behind Singapore's public health sector can be broken down into the Ministry of Health of Singapore, MediSave, MediShield Life, and MediFund.

Emergency Medical Services edit

Emergency medical services (EMS) in Singapore are provided by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). SCDF operates a fleet of ambulances, "fast response paramedics" on motorcycles as well as first response fire-bikers. SCDF is characterised as a nationally funded, multi-tiered, fire-based EMS system.[21][22] SCDF responded to 150,155 calls in 2013, of which 96.1% were classified as emergency calls.[22]

Financing edit

 
Comparison of income per person and life expectancy for some countries in 2015

Singapore's healthcare system uses a mixed financing system that includes nationalised life insurance schemes and deductions from the compulsory savings plan, or the Central Provident Fund (CPF), for working Singaporeans and permanent residents.[23] This mechanism is intended to reduce the overuse of healthcare services.

MediSave edit

MediSave is a medical savings account under an individual's CPF account that is used for payment of future medical expenses as well as premiums of medical insurance policies. Funds can be pooled within and across an entire extended family.

The Central Provident Fund Board, a social security system, allows the citizens of Singapore to put aside funds for a variety of expenses including retirement, healthcare and mortgage. Citizens can make monthly contributions to three different accounts: 1) ordinary accounts for housing, insurance, investment, and education, 2) special accounts for retirement, and investment, and 3) MediSave accounts for hospitalisation expenses and medical insurance.[24] MediSave contributions are usually between 8-10.5% of an individual's wage, and is capped at a $52,000 limit.[24] This form of a health savings account is required by all workers; those below the age of 55 are required to deposit 20% of their earnings.[24] This contribution is partly matched by the employer who contributes 17% of the workers earnings.[24]

MediShield Life edit

Launched in 1990, MediShield is a low cost basic insurance scheme intended for those whose savings are insufficient to meet their medical expenses.[25] Premiums can be paid out of MediSave accounts. A new scheme, MediShield Life, replaced the MediShield in November 2015. Co-insurance payment rates are to be reduced from 10 to 20% to 3–10% and the lifetime claim limit is to be removed.[26] The scheme helps to pay for hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments. The government provides premium subsidies to lower- to middle-income residents, the elderly and new policyholders transitioning from cheaper policies.

The Integrated Shield Plan (IP) includes both the MediShield Life component and an additional private insurance coverage component run by private insurers, to cover for optional benefits in public hospitals and private hospitals. Premiums for the IP can be paid by the MediSave funds.[25] As on 16 February 2021, 7 private insurers - AIA, AXA, Great Eastern, Income, Prudential, Raffles Health and Singlife are authorized by Ministry of Health to offer Integrated Shield plans to the consumers.[27]

In September 2020 it was announced it was being considered that treatment for drug addiction, alcoholism and injuries from attempted suicide would be covered under MediShield Life.[28]

CareShield Life edit

ElderShield is a severe disability insurance scheme which insures against the cost of private nursing homes and related expenses. Since 2002, members with a CPF MediSave account will automatically be enrolled in the scheme at the age of 40, unless they choose to opt out. Three private insurers, Great Eastern, Income and Singlife were chosen to manage ElderShield.[29] The Ministry of Health will run ElderShield from 2021 on a not-for-profit basis, taking over from the three private insurers. This arrangement will allow a smoother upgrade to CareShield Life.[30] It has 1.2 million policyholders as of 2015, with $2.6 billion collected in premiums, and around $100 million in payout claims and $130 million in premium rebates between 2002 and 2015.[31][32]

MediFund edit

MediFund is Singapore's safety net programme, which covers only the lowest class of hospitalisation fees and services.[33] This form of coverage and insurance is only available to citizens of Singapore once they have depleted their MediSave and MediShield funds.[33] The amount of funding and coverage is dependent on the individuals' income, health condition, and socioeconomic status.

It is a government endowment fund for those who are unable to meet their assessed contribution. Risks are not pooled, so an individual may be exposed to catastrophic expenses.[34] A total of $155.2 million was allocated to patients in 2015.[35]

Subsidies edit

Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents warded in public hospitals receive government subsidies for their medical fees, which scale according to their chosen category of ward as well as their income. Since 1 January 2009, patients warded in B2 and C class wards in public hospitals undergo means testing to determine the level of subsidy they are entitled to, based on the average monthly income received over the last available 12-month period including bonuses for salaried employees. However, patients receiving services such as Day Surgery, A&E services, Specialist Outpatient and polyclinic visits receive standardised subsidies regardless of income without requiring means testing.

People with no income, such as retirees or housewives, will have their subsidy rate pegged to the value of their homes, whereas all unemployed residents of HDB flats excluding those in executive condominiums (EC) will be entitled to the highest tier of subsidy.

The following table details the subsidies available:

Means testing in public hospitals as of 1 January 2009[36]
Average Monthly
Income of Patient (SGD)
Citizens Subsidy Permanent residents Subsidy
Class C Class B2 Class C Class B2
$3,200 and below1 80% 65% 70% 55%
$3,201 – $3,350 79% 64% 69% 54%
$3,351 – $3,500 78% 63% 68% 53%
$3,501 – $3,650 77% 62% 67% 52%
$3,651 – $3,800 76% 61% 66% 51%
$3,801 – $3,950 75% 60% 65% 50%
$3,951 – $4,100 74% 59% 64% 49%
$4,101 – $4,250 73% 58% 63% 48%
$4,251 – $4,400 72% 57% 62% 47%
$4,401 – $4,550 71% 56% 61% 46%
$4,551 – $4,700 70% 55% 60% 45%
$4,701 – $4,850 69% 54% 59% 44%
$4,851 – $5,000 68% 53% 58% 43%
$5,001 – $5,100 67% 52% 57% 42%
$5,101 – $5,200 66% 51% 56% 41%
$5,201 and above2 65% 50% 55% 40%
1. No income declare and property with AV below $11,000.

2. No income declare and property with AV exceeding $11,000.

3. Foreigners no longer receive any subsidies at public hospitals since 01-Jan-08.

Community Health Assist Scheme edit

In 2012, the Community Health Assist Scheme or CHAS was introduced. It is a supplementary healthcare scheme that provides further subsidies for citizens from lower-to-middle income households, and the Pioneer generation, born before 1950, who need treatment for common illnesses, chronic health problems and specific dental issues. Beneficiaries get a blue or orange "Health Assist Card", depending on their household income.

In 2019, the scheme was extended. Orange cardholders who only received subsidies for chronic conditions now also get subsidies for common illnesses. All citizens are covered for chronic conditions, and the subsidies for complex chronic conditions have been further increased.[37]

Private sector edit

The increasingly large private sector provides care to those who are privately insured, foreign patients, or public patients who are able to afford what often amounts to very large out-of-pocket payments above the levels provided by government subsidies. The private sector consists of private healthcare, and private insurance. The private healthcare sector utilizes the network of General Practitioners (GPs) and Private Hospitals. And, the private health insurance sector utilizes Integrated Shield plans and private insurance.[38]

The government uses the capacity of the private sector to reduce waiting times in the public sector. In 2015 it planned to use the Raffles Medical Group to receive non-critical ambulance cases.[39]

Private healthcare edit

The private healthcare sector in Singapore has a large market, with a more exclusive clientele.[40] Private healthcare often attracts individuals in search of more advanced and complicated treatments such as stem cell therapy, or specialised cancer treatments. Private healthcare is more appealing and preferred by expatriate citizens as opposed to public for the short wait times, and greater availability of services.[41]

Two hospital groups operate the majority; Parkway Pantai and Raffles Medical Group.[42] These private hospitals are typically smaller, offer patients more privacy, and typically specialize in certain procedures or surgeries.

Parkway Pantai edit

Parkway Pantai is Southeast Asia's largest private healthcare provider with hospitals in several countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare and owns four hospitals in Singapore: Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital.

Raffles Medical Group edit

Raffles Medical Group (RMG) is one of the largest private healthcare providers in Asia, with hospitals and clinics located in several cities, including Singapore.[43] RMG owns Raffles Hospital in Singapore, which specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics.[43]

Private health insurance edit

There are a variety of choices for private health insurance in Singapore, known as Integrated Shield Plans which supplement Medishield Life coverage. Depending on an individual, or families level of income, lifestyle, location, and medical history, there are monthly insurance plans ranging from S$75 SGD to S$400.[10] Companies include but are not limited to AIA, AXA, Great Eastern, Income, Prudential, Raffles Health and Singlife.[44]

Government initiatives edit

 
National University Hospital in 2008

Medical tourism edit

In October 2003, then acting Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan launched "SingaporeMedicine" to promote Singapore as a regional medical hub. He said more than 200,000 foreigners visited Singapore for its medical services in 2002 and that the Economic Review Committee reaffirmed its ambition of serving 1 million foreign patients annually by 2012.[45] In his speech, Khaw said,

"SingaporeMedicine that we are launching today shall be the rallying point and a powerful symbol of our collective will and commitment towards this ambition...

In three specialties alone, heart, eye and cancer, I see tens of millions of middle-class patients within a 7-hour flying radius, waiting to be served. If they can be attracted here, they will keep us all very busy...

This is my dream for Singapore as the regional medical hub, where regional doctors and nurses compete to work here to learn, and where international patients seek us out for care and treatment."[46]

National Electronic Record Programme edit

The National Electronic Record Programme was launched in 2011 and is used by more than 280 institutions to support telehealth and telemedicine.[47]

Pioneer Generation Package edit

The Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) is a S$9 billion package launched in 2014 aimed at helping approximately 450,000 Singaporeans born on or before 31 December 1949 and obtained citizenship before 31 December 1986 through a series of healthcare and social support schemes over an estimated 20-year period.[48][49]

Issues edit

Shortage of hospital beds edit

Since 2010, the healthcare system has often faced shortages of hospital beds.[50][51] This has been attributed to an ageing population, especially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[52] In certain situations, hospitals had to temporarily locate patients in other places or being transferred to community care facilities.[53]

Since then, the government has opened three general hospitals and three community hospitals to cater to the increasing demand for hospital beds, and temporary hospitals were and are being built at Changi, Jurong East, Sengkang, Yishun, Bedok and Pasir Ris.[54]

See also edit

References edit

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  2. ^ "Most Efficient Health Care Around the World". Bloomberg. from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
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  6. ^ a b John Tucci, "The Singapore health system – achieving positive health outcomes with low expenditure", Watson Wyatt Healthcare Market Review, October 2004. 19 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ a b c d e Caring for our people: 50 years of healthcare in Singapore (PDF). Singapore: MOH Holdings Pte Ltd. 2015. ISBN 978-981-09-6201-2.
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  18. ^ Basu, Radha (7 October 2017). "Long-term care: If this is so important, why aren't we putting our money where our mouth is?". The Straits Times. from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
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  25. ^ a b Huang, Claire (15 July 2017). "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Integrated Shield Plans". The Business Times. from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  26. ^ Khalik, Salma (31 October 2015). "MediShield Life coverage to kick in at midnight". The Straits Times. from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  27. ^ "CPFB | Private Medical Insurance Scheme". null. from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  28. ^ hermesauto (30 September 2020). "Experts welcome proposal to cover addictions, self-harm under MediShield". The Straits Times. from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  29. ^ Tan, Weizhen (7 July 2017). "Govt studying proposal to take over running of ElderShield". TODAY. from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  30. ^ "Government to take over administration of ElderShield from 2021". CNA. 7 January 2019. from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  31. ^ . Channel NewsAsia. 4 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  32. ^ "Parliamentary Debates Singapore – Official Report" (PDF). National Archives of Singapore. (PDF) from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  33. ^ a b "MediFund". www.moh.gov.sg. from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
  34. ^ Britnell, Mark (2015). In Search of the Perfect Health System. London: Palgrave. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-137-49661-4.
  35. ^ "Medifund assistance dropped to S$155.2m last year". TODAY. 24 November 2016. from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  36. ^ (PDF). Moh.gov.sg. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
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  39. ^ Britnell, Mark (2015). In Search of the Perfect Health System. London: Palgrave. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-137-49661-4.
  40. ^ Pocock, Nicola S; Phua, Kai Hong (2011). "Medical tourism and policy implications for health systems: a conceptual framework from a comparative study of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia". Globalization and Health. 7 (1): 12. doi:10.1186/1744-8603-7-12. ISSN 1744-8603. PMC 3114730. PMID 21539751.
  41. ^ "Healthcare in Singapore". from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  42. ^ Pacific Prime (6 October 2017). "Public and Private Healthcare in SINGAPORE". Pacific Prime. from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  43. ^ a b "Hospitals and Other Healthcare Organisations - medtech.sg". medtech.sg. 3 May 2013. from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  44. ^ "Comparison of Integrated Shield Plans". Ministry of Health, Singapore. from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  45. ^ . Theonlinecitizen.com. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  46. ^ . Nas.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  47. ^ Britnell, Mark (2015). In Search of the Perfect Health System. London: Palgrave. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-137-49661-4.
  48. ^ "Singapore Budget 2015 Annex B-1: Pioneer Generation Package" (PDF). Singaporebudget.gov.sg. (PDF) from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  49. ^ "PIONEER GENERATION PACKAGE". from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  50. ^ Lim, Jeremy (March 2010). "The Bed Crunch: A Systems Perspective" (PDF). SMA News. Singapore Medical Association. (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  51. ^ Huang, Claire. "Hospital bed crunch a cumulative problem". Businesstimes.com.sg. from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  52. ^ Ng Jing Ying (21 January 2014). "Ageing society contributes to hospital bed crunch: Gan". TODAYonline. MediaCorp Press. from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  53. ^ Salma Khalik (8 January 2014). "Hospitals facing severe bed crunch take unusual steps". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  54. ^ "New hospitals in the pipeline". The Straits Times. 15 February 2014. from the original on 15 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2018.

External links edit

  • Ministry of Health

healthcare, singapore, under, purview, ministry, health, government, singapore, mainly, consists, government, publicly, funded, universal, healthcare, system, well, significant, private, healthcare, sector, financing, healthcare, costs, done, through, mixture,. Healthcare in Singapore is under the purview of the Ministry of Health of the Government of Singapore It mainly consists of a government run publicly funded universal healthcare system as well as a significant private healthcare sector Financing of healthcare costs is done through a mixture of direct government subsidies compulsory comprehensive savings national healthcare insurance and cost sharing The Bowyer Block at the Singapore General Hospital now houses the SGH Museum which was officially opened in May 2005 The Singaporean public health insurance system is based on programs run by the Central Provident Fund primarily Medisave a mandatory medical savings account scheme All working citizens and permanent residents are obligated to set aside a portion of their income into Medisave accounts which they can draw upon to pay their own medical bills and those of their immediate family The Central Provident Fund also manages the MediShield and MediFund insurance schemes which cover people with insufficient savings or those who have depleted their savings In addition the government provides subsidies for the medical expenses of citizens and permanent residents who receive treatment in public hospitals Singapore generally has an efficient and widespread system of healthcare In 2000 Singapore was ranked 6th in the World Health Organization s ranking of the world s health systems 1 Bloomberg ranked Singapore s healthcare system the most efficient in the world in 2014 2 The Economist Intelligence Unit placed Singapore 2nd out of 166 countries for health care outcomes 3 Bloomberg Global Health Index of 163 countries ranked Singapore the 4th healthiest country in the world and first in Asia 4 Development of life expectancy in SingaporeAs of 2019 Singaporeans have the world s longest life expectancy 84 8 years at birth Women can expect to live an average of 87 6 years with 75 8 years in good health The averages for men are lower with a life expectancy at 81 9 years with 72 5 years in good health 5 According to global consulting firm Towers Watson Singapore has one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes 6 For the most part the government does not directly regulate the costs of private medical care These costs are largely subject to market forces and vary enormously within the private sector depending on the medical specialty and service provided 6 Contents 1 History 1 1 Early colonial years 2 Healthcare providers 3 Public health system 3 1 Emergency Medical Services 4 Financing 4 1 MediSave 4 2 MediShield Life 4 3 CareShield Life 4 4 MediFund 4 5 Subsidies 5 Community Health Assist Scheme 6 Private sector 6 1 Private healthcare 6 1 1 Parkway Pantai 6 1 2 Raffles Medical Group 6 2 Private health insurance 7 Government initiatives 7 1 Medical tourism 7 2 National Electronic Record Programme 7 3 Pioneer Generation Package 8 Issues 8 1 Shortage of hospital beds 9 See also 10 References 11 External linksHistory edit nbsp Sir Stamford Raffles brought along a single doctor named Thomas Prendergast in Feb 1819 by most accounts accepted as the time when Western medicine first arrived on the island 7 Early colonial years edit Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in January 1819 with a single accompanying doctor a sub assistant surgeon named Thomas Prendergast then the medical officer in Penang s General Hospital 7 12 After a treaty was signed allowing the British East India Company to set up a trading post in Singapore Prendergast oversaw the newly established post s medical needs until William Montgomerie arrived and served as Singapore s first surgeon 8 Prendergast as a military doctor was put in charge of the first General Hospital on the island a small shed erected near the junction of Bras Basah Road and Stamford Road in 1821 7 12 Singapore in the early colonial years was a poorly funded trading post with severe budget constraints due to Raffles commitment to keep it as a free port which meant that the administration was not able to raise funds through customs duties 9 This made health care substantially more difficult to provide for in this new but bustling port Diseases such as cholera smallpox enteric fevers typhoid and venereal diseases were common 7 12 Even the General Hospital building which was supposed to be an elite healthcare institution in the early days had to be replaced twice by 1830 because it was dilapidated and full of holes 7 14 Healthcare providers editThe healthcare system in Singapore is divided into two sectors statutory boards and institutions which are then divided into public and private streams 10 There are a variety of statutory boards in place including the Medical Council Dental Council Nursing Board Pharmacy Council and Optometrists and Opticians Board 10 Healthcare institutions can be divided into public and private hospitals and healthcare providers All hospitals in Singapore have been structured as government corporations since the 1990s constantly competing with one another to have the most advanced services and technology available 11 There are multiple spheres and levels to both the public and private streams Public health system editSince the 1990s all public hospitals polyclinics and specialty centres have been restructured as government owned corporations and operate under three healthcare groups or clusters National Healthcare Group National University Health System SingHealthThe 10 public hospitals comprise eight general hospitals AH SGH NUH CGH TTSH KTPH NTFGH amp SKH and 2 specialized hospitals KKH amp IMH 12 In addition there are 9 national specialty centres for cancer NCCS amp NCIS cardiac NHCS amp NUHCS eye SNEC skin NSC neuroscience NNI and dental care NDCS amp NUCOHS 12 As of 2019 Singapore had a total of 14 297 doctors in its healthcare system giving a doctor to population ratio of 1 399 The nurse to population ratio including midwives was 1 133 with a total of 42 777 nurses There were 2 475 dentists giving a ratio of 1 dentist to 2 304 people 13 14 Approximately 70 80 of Singaporeans obtain their medical care within the public health system Overall government spending on public healthcare amounts to 1 6 of annual GDP As of 2013 this amounted to an average of 1 104 Government Health Expenditure per person 15 Health related spending is the third largest expenditure item after defence and education expenses 16 As the median age of the population increases Singapore s healthcare spending is expected to rise Healthcare spending has risen from 4 billion in 2011 to 9 8 billion in 2016 17 18 Singapore has a strong reputation for health services and healthcare systems in 2000 the country was ranked sixth in the world by the World Health Organization 19 Public hospitals have autonomy over management decisions and compete with one another for patients 20 General hospitals have a variety of functions and services they mainly represent multi disciplinary acute inpatient and specialist outpatient services have 24 hour emergency centers and often specialize in a specific field of medicine cancer research neuroscience dental care cardiac care etc 20 Singapore has an array of hospitals and health services available as well as community hospitals that exist as an intermediate form of healthcare for people who do not require the services of a general hospital but cannot cope at home 20 The funding behind Singapore s public health sector can be broken down into the Ministry of Health of Singapore MediSave MediShield Life and MediFund Emergency Medical Services edit Emergency medical services EMS in Singapore are provided by the Singapore Civil Defence Force SCDF SCDF operates a fleet of ambulances fast response paramedics on motorcycles as well as first response fire bikers SCDF is characterised as a nationally funded multi tiered fire based EMS system 21 22 SCDF responded to 150 155 calls in 2013 of which 96 1 were classified as emergency calls 22 Financing edit nbsp Comparison of income per person and life expectancy for some countries in 2015Singapore s healthcare system uses a mixed financing system that includes nationalised life insurance schemes and deductions from the compulsory savings plan or the Central Provident Fund CPF for working Singaporeans and permanent residents 23 This mechanism is intended to reduce the overuse of healthcare services MediSave edit Main article Medisave MediSave is a medical savings account under an individual s CPF account that is used for payment of future medical expenses as well as premiums of medical insurance policies Funds can be pooled within and across an entire extended family The Central Provident Fund Board a social security system allows the citizens of Singapore to put aside funds for a variety of expenses including retirement healthcare and mortgage Citizens can make monthly contributions to three different accounts 1 ordinary accounts for housing insurance investment and education 2 special accounts for retirement and investment and 3 MediSave accounts for hospitalisation expenses and medical insurance 24 MediSave contributions are usually between 8 10 5 of an individual s wage and is capped at a 52 000 limit 24 This form of a health savings account is required by all workers those below the age of 55 are required to deposit 20 of their earnings 24 This contribution is partly matched by the employer who contributes 17 of the workers earnings 24 MediShield Life edit Launched in 1990 MediShield is a low cost basic insurance scheme intended for those whose savings are insufficient to meet their medical expenses 25 Premiums can be paid out of MediSave accounts A new scheme MediShield Life replaced the MediShield in November 2015 Co insurance payment rates are to be reduced from 10 to 20 to 3 10 and the lifetime claim limit is to be removed 26 The scheme helps to pay for hospital bills and selected outpatient treatments The government provides premium subsidies to lower to middle income residents the elderly and new policyholders transitioning from cheaper policies The Integrated Shield Plan IP includes both the MediShield Life component and an additional private insurance coverage component run by private insurers to cover for optional benefits in public hospitals and private hospitals Premiums for the IP can be paid by the MediSave funds 25 As on 16 February 2021 7 private insurers AIA AXA Great Eastern Income Prudential Raffles Health and Singlife are authorized by Ministry of Health to offer Integrated Shield plans to the consumers 27 In September 2020 it was announced it was being considered that treatment for drug addiction alcoholism and injuries from attempted suicide would be covered under MediShield Life 28 CareShield Life edit ElderShield is a severe disability insurance scheme which insures against the cost of private nursing homes and related expenses Since 2002 members with a CPF MediSave account will automatically be enrolled in the scheme at the age of 40 unless they choose to opt out Three private insurers Great Eastern Income and Singlife were chosen to manage ElderShield 29 The Ministry of Health will run ElderShield from 2021 on a not for profit basis taking over from the three private insurers This arrangement will allow a smoother upgrade to CareShield Life 30 It has 1 2 million policyholders as of 2015 with 2 6 billion collected in premiums and around 100 million in payout claims and 130 million in premium rebates between 2002 and 2015 31 32 MediFund edit MediFund is Singapore s safety net programme which covers only the lowest class of hospitalisation fees and services 33 This form of coverage and insurance is only available to citizens of Singapore once they have depleted their MediSave and MediShield funds 33 The amount of funding and coverage is dependent on the individuals income health condition and socioeconomic status It is a government endowment fund for those who are unable to meet their assessed contribution Risks are not pooled so an individual may be exposed to catastrophic expenses 34 A total of 155 2 million was allocated to patients in 2015 35 Subsidies edit Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents warded in public hospitals receive government subsidies for their medical fees which scale according to their chosen category of ward as well as their income Since 1 January 2009 patients warded in B2 and C class wards in public hospitals undergo means testing to determine the level of subsidy they are entitled to based on the average monthly income received over the last available 12 month period including bonuses for salaried employees However patients receiving services such as Day Surgery A amp E services Specialist Outpatient and polyclinic visits receive standardised subsidies regardless of income without requiring means testing People with no income such as retirees or housewives will have their subsidy rate pegged to the value of their homes whereas all unemployed residents of HDB flats excluding those in executive condominiums EC will be entitled to the highest tier of subsidy The following table details the subsidies available Means testing in public hospitals as of 1 January 2009 36 Average MonthlyIncome of Patient SGD Citizens Subsidy Permanent residents SubsidyClass C Class B2 Class C Class B2 3 200 and below1 80 65 70 55 3 201 3 350 79 64 69 54 3 351 3 500 78 63 68 53 3 501 3 650 77 62 67 52 3 651 3 800 76 61 66 51 3 801 3 950 75 60 65 50 3 951 4 100 74 59 64 49 4 101 4 250 73 58 63 48 4 251 4 400 72 57 62 47 4 401 4 550 71 56 61 46 4 551 4 700 70 55 60 45 4 701 4 850 69 54 59 44 4 851 5 000 68 53 58 43 5 001 5 100 67 52 57 42 5 101 5 200 66 51 56 41 5 201 and above2 65 50 55 40 1 No income declare and property with AV below 11 000 2 No income declare and property with AV exceeding 11 000 3 Foreigners no longer receive any subsidies at public hospitals since 01 Jan 08 Community Health Assist Scheme editIn 2012 the Community Health Assist Scheme or CHAS was introduced It is a supplementary healthcare scheme that provides further subsidies for citizens from lower to middle income households and the Pioneer generation born before 1950 who need treatment for common illnesses chronic health problems and specific dental issues Beneficiaries get a blue or orange Health Assist Card depending on their household income In 2019 the scheme was extended Orange cardholders who only received subsidies for chronic conditions now also get subsidies for common illnesses All citizens are covered for chronic conditions and the subsidies for complex chronic conditions have been further increased 37 Private sector editThe increasingly large private sector provides care to those who are privately insured foreign patients or public patients who are able to afford what often amounts to very large out of pocket payments above the levels provided by government subsidies The private sector consists of private healthcare and private insurance The private healthcare sector utilizes the network of General Practitioners GPs and Private Hospitals And the private health insurance sector utilizes Integrated Shield plans and private insurance 38 The government uses the capacity of the private sector to reduce waiting times in the public sector In 2015 it planned to use the Raffles Medical Group to receive non critical ambulance cases 39 Private healthcare edit The private healthcare sector in Singapore has a large market with a more exclusive clientele 40 Private healthcare often attracts individuals in search of more advanced and complicated treatments such as stem cell therapy or specialised cancer treatments Private healthcare is more appealing and preferred by expatriate citizens as opposed to public for the short wait times and greater availability of services 41 Two hospital groups operate the majority Parkway Pantai and Raffles Medical Group 42 These private hospitals are typically smaller offer patients more privacy and typically specialize in certain procedures or surgeries Parkway Pantai edit Main article Parkway Pantai Parkway Pantai is Southeast Asia s largest private healthcare provider with hospitals in several countries such as Singapore Malaysia and Brunei It is a wholly owned subsidiary of IHH Healthcare and owns four hospitals in Singapore Gleneagles Hospital Mount Elizabeth Hospital Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital Raffles Medical Group edit Main article Raffles Medical Group Raffles Medical Group RMG is one of the largest private healthcare providers in Asia with hospitals and clinics located in several cities including Singapore 43 RMG owns Raffles Hospital in Singapore which specializes in obstetrics and gynecology cardiology oncology and orthopedics 43 Private health insurance edit There are a variety of choices for private health insurance in Singapore known as Integrated Shield Plans which supplement Medishield Life coverage Depending on an individual or families level of income lifestyle location and medical history there are monthly insurance plans ranging from S 75 SGD to S 400 10 Companies include but are not limited to AIA AXA Great Eastern Income Prudential Raffles Health and Singlife 44 Government initiatives edit nbsp National University Hospital in 2008Medical tourism edit Main article Medical tourism Singapore In October 2003 then acting Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan launched SingaporeMedicine to promote Singapore as a regional medical hub He said more than 200 000 foreigners visited Singapore for its medical services in 2002 and that the Economic Review Committee reaffirmed its ambition of serving 1 million foreign patients annually by 2012 45 In his speech Khaw said SingaporeMedicine that we are launching today shall be the rallying point and a powerful symbol of our collective will and commitment towards this ambition In three specialties alone heart eye and cancer I see tens of millions of middle class patients within a 7 hour flying radius waiting to be served If they can be attracted here they will keep us all very busy This is my dream for Singapore as the regional medical hub where regional doctors and nurses compete to work here to learn and where international patients seek us out for care and treatment 46 National Electronic Record Programme edit The National Electronic Record Programme was launched in 2011 and is used by more than 280 institutions to support telehealth and telemedicine 47 Pioneer Generation Package edit The Pioneer Generation Package PGP is a S 9 billion package launched in 2014 aimed at helping approximately 450 000 Singaporeans born on or before 31 December 1949 and obtained citizenship before 31 December 1986 through a series of healthcare and social support schemes over an estimated 20 year period 48 49 Issues editShortage of hospital beds edit Since 2010 the healthcare system has often faced shortages of hospital beds 50 51 This has been attributed to an ageing population especially affected by the COVID 19 pandemic 52 In certain situations hospitals had to temporarily locate patients in other places or being transferred to community care facilities 53 Since then the government has opened three general hospitals and three community hospitals to cater to the increasing demand for hospital beds and temporary hospitals were and are being built at Changi Jurong East Sengkang Yishun Bedok and Pasir Ris 54 See also editHealth in Singapore List of hospitals in Singapore Mental health in Singapore Napier Healthcare Singaporean measures against avian influenzaReferences edit The World Health Report 2000 Health Systems Improving Performance Geneva Switzerland World Health Organization 2000 p 154 ISBN 978 92 4 156198 3 Most Efficient Health Care Around the World Bloomberg Archived from the original on 18 June 2020 Retrieved 25 January 2017 Singapore ranked world s No 2 for health care outcomes 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Archived from the original on 24 October 2017 Retrieved 24 October 2017 Means Testing at Singapore public hospitals PDF Moh gov sg Archived from the original PDF on 6 June 2016 Retrieved 14 November 2018 What Chas expansion means for healthcare in Singapore Today online 26 February 2019 Archived from the original on 26 February 2019 Retrieved 26 February 2019 Healthcare in Singapore Kloodo Singapore kloodo com Retrieved 16 February 2021 Britnell Mark 2015 In Search of the Perfect Health System London Palgrave p 44 ISBN 978 1 137 49661 4 Pocock Nicola S Phua Kai Hong 2011 Medical tourism and policy implications for health systems a conceptual framework from a comparative study of Thailand Singapore and Malaysia Globalization and Health 7 1 12 doi 10 1186 1744 8603 7 12 ISSN 1744 8603 PMC 3114730 PMID 21539751 Healthcare in Singapore Archived from the original on 4 December 2018 Retrieved 2 December 2018 Pacific Prime 6 October 2017 Public and Private Healthcare in SINGAPORE Pacific Prime Archived from the original on 27 March 2019 Retrieved 4 February 2019 a b Hospitals and Other Healthcare Organisations medtech sg medtech sg 3 May 2013 Archived from the original on 27 March 2019 Retrieved 2 December 2018 Comparison of Integrated Shield Plans Ministry of Health Singapore Archived from the original on 16 January 2021 Retrieved 21 January 2020 SG medical tourism started by Khaw asking Philip Yeo to implement Khaw exhorts Yeo with May the Force be with you The Online Citizen Theonlinecitizen com 2 October 2018 Archived from the original on 7 October 2018 Retrieved 14 November 2018 Speech By Ag Minister Khaw Boon Wan At The Launch Of Singaporemedicine 20 October 2003 4 00 Pm Nas gov sg Archived from the original on 7 October 2018 Retrieved 14 November 2018 Britnell Mark 2015 In Search of the Perfect Health System London Palgrave p 15 ISBN 978 1 137 49661 4 Singapore Budget 2015 Annex B 1 Pioneer Generation Package PDF Singaporebudget gov sg Archived PDF from the 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External links editMinistry of Health Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Healthcare in Singapore amp oldid 1187408144, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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