Lim Wee Kiak
Singapore
“" The point I want to make here is that given that we have one of the longest lifespans in the world now, and there is a correlation with an ageing population and chronic diseases, are there plans to explore and develop the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and healthy longevity?”
“Can I ask, in light of the fact that we have a smoking cessation clinic, is there a vaping cessation clinic, whereby the public can surrender themselves and say, "I have been vaping. I wish to have some help"? And how does the Ministry of Health (MOH) handle this?”
“May I ask how the Government decided on these targets, and what steps will Singapore take to achieve them? I would like to highlight, this year, the Government announced a 2035 climate target to reduce emissions to "between 45 and 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035". Are we on track to meet our 2030 target?”
“Building upon this progress, I encourage individuals with innovative ideas and a passion for contributing to this vital green industry to step forward.”
“While mandating sustainable aviation fuel for departing flights is a commendable way, what other strategic initiatives are planned across different sectors to leverage on our hub position? How will such initiatives affect Singapore's economic competitiveness as a travel hub?”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Minister of State for the reply. I would like to ask two supplementary questions. First is that, is the Government happy with the state of affairs of the current SFC utilisation? Is 50% of the of the population using SFC the target?”
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“" The point I want to make here is that given that we have one of the longest lifespans in the world now, and there is a correlation with an ageing population and chronic diseases, are there plans to explore and develop the emerging fields of regenerative medicine and healthy longevity? I believe there is great potential in this field for medical tourism as well as for our medical advances, because of the strong international interest of living well and living longer lives. With Singapore's reputation as a Blue Zone 2.0, together with our excellent healthcare infrastructure and medical talent, Singapore certainly has all the pre-requisites to establish healthy longevity, regenerative medicine as a field of excellence over here. Would MOH consider setting up a sandbox looking at how can we explore healthy longevity, regenerative medicine for further development?”
“A noteworthy point was that our city-state is not in the same genre as the other Blue Zones. Unlike the other Blue Zone communities like those in Greece, in Japan, in Costa Rica, which were based on long-established cultural traditions, for Singapore, our longevity is more of an outcome of forward-thinking policies. If we look at our achievement on longevity, it is more than just healthcare. We have policies like public transport, which encourages commuters to walk daily as an exercise. We do put emphasis on keeping our country clean and build beautiful parks, jogging tracks as well as exercise parks to get everybody to enjoy the outdoors around our neighbourhoods. Public places like these are well-lit, residents get a sense of security and calm when they frequent these areas. Swimming pools, open fields for soccer, these are found in all Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates and there is creatively curated greenery everywhere. In December 2024, BBC noted: "few places have seen such a drastic jump in life expectancy as the island city-state in Southeast Asia". It went on to report if a child that is born in Singapore before 1960 was only likely to live up to, at that point in time, to 65. However, a child that is born in Singapore today can enjoy a life expectancy of more than 86 years old or more, according to estimates. Not only that, the number of centenarians in Singapore has doubled from 2010 to 2020. And all these leaps in longevity "is largely driven by intentional government policy and investment.”
“While most app developers and code writers have claimed that their solutions will change clinical practice, we need an evidence-based approach to systematically evaluate the costs and benefits of adopting any such technology. The clinical demand and utility have to be clear, so that we do not end up with a 'technology push' seeking new applications and solutions." MOH has said it is partnering the Health Promotion Board (HPB), Synapxe, the public healthcare clusters and national clinical translational programmes, to leverage on cutting-edge technology while maintaining public trust in and security of the Singapore healthcare system. Apart from these, can MOH share what else is the Government currently looking to apply these technologies, including AI, to address various issues facing the medical services, from shortage of manpower, to improving treatment outcomes for patients, and to mitigate the high cost of medical care? Is there a need to relook at the legal responsibilities of the medical professionals in the application of these technologies, especially in AI, in patient care? Healthy Longevity When 64-year-old American Dan Buettner, author and longevity researcher co-produced the three-time Emmy Award winning documentary TV mini-series "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones" in 2023 on Netflix, it certainly has created a stir among all those who are interested in looking at longevity. Buettner identified five original Blue Zones areas, these are areas where people lived the longest and the healthiest, including in Japan, Italy, as well as Costa Rica, Greece and California. Then in 2024, the spotlight fell on Singapore when it was the first new region to be added to the Blue Zones in decades, dubbed as "Blue Zone 2.0" by Buettner.”
“Can the Minister share with the House what is the current medical inflation rate? Will MOH carry out a review of the 3Ms system and see how they can further enhance the system to help Singaporeans? The 3Ms work well currently, but how can it meet our future needs? [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Can MOH also help young Singaporeans, who have not only bear healthcare costs for their families, but also of their aged parents? What can the Government do to help to slow down medical inflation and lower the out-of-pocket expenses of Singaporeans? Smart Healthcare System With rapid advances in technology, especially in AI – these are certainly making in-roads across all professions and the medical profession is no exception. How it is adopted may not be as simple as substituting the search engine on your computer. In healthcare setting, we are dealing with a human life. Medical practitioners know that building trust with patients can be a slow and painstaking task. You need to listen attentively, show empathy and understanding, and ask the right questions respectfully, among a whole host of others, including your body language. These are areas that AI will not be able to substitute for the human touch. Thus far, much of our AI has been in the areas for administration, from registration, to other data collection and information systems. There are robotics, which are certainly already in used in several medical procedures with good outcomes, and others in the area of data analytics. And if I may quote a paper that was published in 2023 on the web of the SMA by Assoc Prof Tan Cher Heng as well as Prof Benjamin Seet, both from Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine: "An important guiding principle is that the patient should remain at the centre stage.”
“Chairman, I declare my interest as an ophthalmologist in private practice. We all know the Government has given its commitment to keep healthcare costs affordable, as to make healthcare available to everyone. It has rightly set up the three pillars of our healthcare financing system, namely, MediSave, MediShield and MediFund (3Ms). Indeed, many Singaporeans are benefiting from the 3Ms. However, we still occasionally encounter residents who have sufficient MediSave, but are cash poor, lamenting why can they not be allowed to use more of their MediSave to pay for their medical bills. Over the last few years, with advances in medical care, improvement in drug efficacy, higher staff costs, higher clinic rentals, these have all pushed up the healthcare costs in Singapore. We have moved from branded drugs to generic drugs, among others, to help to mitigate the costs. The knock-on effect is seen in the cost of healthcare insurance, where premiums grew by 13.7% in 2022 and in 2024 by 12% – a double digit growth over the years. It is projected to grow by another 12% this year, according to the Willis Towers Watson survey. While it appears to be in a stable trend, but it gives little comfort to Singaporeans, young and old alike. There are young employees who only after a hospitalisation, find that they have expanded their healthcare coverage for the year. Their company had bought a policy is at the lower range because of high premiums. There are certainly lessons we can learn looking at other countries, such as in the UK's National Health Service, where the problems they are facing are somewhat similar up to a point – staff shortages, evolving healthcare needs, ageing population. How can we learn from other's predicament and avoid getting into the same situation?”
“Chairman, driving along Bukit Timah Road during rainy season was once the bane of motorists, not to mention residents living in the low-lying areas. Then, in 2019, with some fanfare, the Bukit Timah First Diversion Canal was completed after seven years and $300 million spent. The 3.2-kilometre canal could take 30% more rainwater than previously. Sadly, today, flash floods after a heavy downpour has become more common. And flash floods are occurring not just in Bukit Timah, but also across the island. One explanation given is this is due to rapid urbanisation and the other is the unpredictability of heavy downpours, with the torrent of water swiftly filling up our canals and drains. Whatever the real causes, we should analyse the current flooding patterns and use technology to predict future flooding patterns and recommend solutions to mitigate the impact. Can MSE give flood risk scores to properties in Singapore? This will allow for more collaborations between these properties owners to manage their flood risks. In managing flood prone areas, does solving one area flooding problem result in adjacent areas or downstream flooding of another area? Can the Minister provide an update on plans to upgrade our drainage infrastructure and enhance flood resilience? How is the Ministry engaging communities to ensure that Singapore continues to be flood-ready? Could the Ministry provide an update on the progress on coastal protection plans and how will the Ministry ensure the coastal protection standards are met? Heat Resilience”
“Chairman, many of us will remember the enthusiasm when Singapore's National Recycling Programme was launched in April 2001. NEA rolled out a team of the public waste collectors (PWCs) were licensed to provide recycling bins and recycling collection services to all Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, as well as private landed properties and condominiums who were opted into the public waste collection scheme. The 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – form the pillar of NEA's schemes. It developed a suite of initiatives as part of Singapore Green Plan and Zero Waste Masterplan. The aim is to shift attitudes as well as behaviours to make 3Rs the norm for citizens, as well as businesses. NEA also continues to study and develop new ways to close the various resource loops. I note that NEA has been exploring the use of mixed materials from Semakau Landfill, which comprise of incineration ashes and other waste materials, as reclamation fill. There is greater awareness now, among households to support this recycling exercise which is commendable. NEA's 2023 survey on household recycling, showed 72% of households recycle compared to 64% in 2021. There is a greater commitment from individuals to build a sustainability culture by embracing the 3Rs. I would like to ask the Minister what is the current recycling rate? How far are we from our target? What are the current challenges facing the recycling industry and how can the Government help the industry and promote more sustainable recycling as a way of life in Singapore? Shared Responsibility in Managing Waste”
“Chairman, the road to building a strong commitment to climate change is a long and winding one, with crisscrossing headwinds along the way as some governments wane in the face of challenges, like rising interest rates, economic hiccups, from inflation to business downturn, to name a few. And you have the new political leadership in the White House, which, again, withdrew its membership from the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015. Some see climate action as something about declaring dates to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, but there are just too many barriers to overcome. We have seen developing countries being asked to "leapfrog" to renewable energy, but the adoption of renewable energy is not something that can be done with the switch of a button. It requires a lot of investment and certainly, a strong will to change to clean energy. Besides, many are so used to fossil fuel that they become addicted. In Singapore, according to a report by EcoBusiness, one of Asia Pacific's independent media and business intelligence organisation dedicated to sustainable development, "few firms can confidently say they know how they will be completely negating their greenhouse gas output by 2050 – a feat scientist regard as the best bet to keep global temperatures from rising past 1.5 degrees Celsius and causing extreme climate risks. Experts say it is necessary for firms to stomach such uncertainty and gun for net-zero targets, given the urgency of tackling climate change, though there must be preparation work in resourcing and talent development." May I ask, how can Singapore stay competitive amid global pressures to decarbonise, while also managing the adverse impact of climate change? How will the Government support our businesses in these areas? Sustainable Cooling”
“Can I ask, in light of the fact that we have a smoking cessation clinic, is there a vaping cessation clinic, whereby the public can surrender themselves and say, "I have been vaping. I wish to have some help"? And how does the Ministry of Health (MOH) handle this?”
“May I ask how the Government decided on these targets, and what steps will Singapore take to achieve them? I would like to highlight, this year, the Government announced a 2035 climate target to reduce emissions to "between 45 and 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035". Are we on track to meet our 2030 target? Will we be making any pivots from our current decarbonisation strategy to achieve our longer-term target in 2035 and 2050? How will the recent global developments, such as the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement, affect Singapore's climate goals? Action Plans Towards Nationally Determined Contribution Target in 2035”
“Sir, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit, is one of the first international treaties on the topic, which stipulated that parties should meet regularly to address climate change at the Conference of Parties (COP). The UNFCCC secretariat is the UN entity tasked with supporting the global responses to the threat of climate change. Singapore ratified the UNFCCC. We have been an active player in the international climate change negotiations and signed and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. In February this year, Singapore committed itself to reduce emissions to between 45 and 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2035. This is part of our 2035 NDC submitted to the UNFCCC. In its statement accompanying the submission, it is said that Singapore is a small low-lying island state, climate change is an existential challenge to us. For our 2035 NDC, and I quote from the statement, "reflects both our commitment to climate action, as well as the significant uncertainties we face in our decarbonisation journey." The lower bound of 45 MtCO2e keeps us on a linear path towards our net-zero target in 2050. Singapore has also committed itself to continue to work on "the range of mitigation measures available to us and explore other mitigation options to drive emissions reductions." These solutions have the potential to grow the green economy, create new jobs and generate new opportunities in the low-carbon world. In 2022, we announced our climate targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduction of emissions to around 60 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2030 after peaking emissions earlier.”
“Building upon this progress, I encourage individuals with innovative ideas and a passion for contributing to this vital green industry to step forward. Collaborative efforts between all stakeholders and the Government are essential for achieving the ambitious goals outlined in the Singapore Green Plan and ensuring the environmental resilience for our nation. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, as we celebrate SG60 this year, we reflect upon the remarkable achievements of our Pioneer, Merdeka and Majulah generations. They built the foundation upon which our nation stands. Let us honour their legacy by continuing their work, strengthening our resilience across all vital sectors – energy, people and environmental – and securing a brighter future for generations to come.”
“I urge the Government to invest more in initiatives that promote neighbourliness and strengthen our bonds within our community, building a more resilient and interconnected society. Finally, I want to address the critical issue of environmental resiliency. We are undeniably facing increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, a trend that is projected to worsen. The Government plays a pivotal role in bolstering our resilience through comprehensive policies and initiatives. The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint and the Singapore Green Plan 2030 outline ambitious yet necessary goals for sustainability, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy and promoting waste reduction. The recent initiative to enhance energy efficiency by providing Climate Vouchers to all households, including private property owners, for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances is a commendable step. Beyond national efforts, promoting individual actions, such as the 3Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – is crucial. I recall when I first entered politics in 2006; there was only one recycling bin for every five blocks of HDB. While we encouraged the residents to recycle, the limited infrastructure presented a significant challenge. And in this very House, I advocated for increased recycling bins and dedicated recycling chutes in new HDB developments. Canberra was even offered as a pilot project to the then-Ministry of Environment to implement one recycling bin per block. This project proved highly successful and paved the way for islandwide adoption later. Now, new HDB projects incorporate dedicated recycling chutes.”
“While these networks organise beneficial programmes and events, it is an unfortunate reality that neighbours living on the same floor can remain strangers even after many years. Distressing incidents, such as residents passing away unnoticed until the discovery of a foul smell, highlight the gaps in our modern social fabric. Clearly, we need to create more opportunities for connection and strengthening of bonds between neighbours. PA excels at organising large-scale community events that foster unity and raise awareness amongst hundreds or even thousands of attendees. But the nature of such events means that they are less effective in cultivating close neighbourly ties. In the Canberra division of Sembawang GRC, we have been working to address this challenge since 2008 by organising small-scale "floor parties". These gatherings encourage neighbours on the same floor to connect over simple food and drinks in their own shared lobby or corridor. The results have been remarkable. We have seen relationships blossom and a renewed sense of community emerge. We capture these moments with a group photo of the whole entire floor and encourage neighbours to exchange contact information, recognising that in emergency, neighbours are the first line of support. We have witnessed heartwarming instances whereby neighbours offered to drive their neighbours to hospital during emergency, working together to extinguish fires before the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrival, and cooking and delivering meals to those living alone and facing mobility challenges. This strong community spirit shone brightly during challenging times, like the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The resilience of our people must be continuously nurtured. We cannot leave this to chance.”
“The SolarNova programme, launched in 2014, has successfully deployed solar panels across Government buildings, public housing and key infrastructures, proving that the solar panel deployment is both cost-effective and scalable. However, we can and should do more. Many buildings and houses still possess untapped roof spaces suitable for solar panel installations. I urge the Government to further incentivise and encourage these building and homeowners to embrace solar energy. One potential approach is to incorporate solar panel installation requirements directly into our Building and Construction Authority (BCA) building code, ensuring all future buildings contribute to our power grid. Furthermore, like the climate vouchers initiative, could the Government consider providing grants to private property owners to offset the cost of solar panel installation? This would not only accelerate the adoption of solar energy, but also empower individuals to contribute directly to our national sustainability goals. Let us now turn to the heart of our nation's strength: our people. People are Singapore's most valuable resource and our adaptability and unity are hallmarks that we must safeguard. In our early years, the kampung spirit fostered strong community bonds. Extended families lived together, often with limited Government support, relying on local village or clan associations for mutual aid. Everybody knew their neighbours, creating a tightly-knitted community. Singapore's rapid development over the past 60 years has transformed our living landscape. Today, most reside in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates with modern amenities, served by Residents' Networks under the People's Association (PA).”
“It is our Sembawang hot spring! I am pleased that my cut at the Ministry of National Development (MND) Committee of Supply debate in 2016, urging the Government to consider building a hot spring park on Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)-owned land, ultimately led to the creation of Sembawang Hot Spring Park and, now, a space for all to enjoy. However, hot springs are a natural phenomena, subjected to change, shifts and new formations due to ground movement. Therefore, I hope the ongoing construction of the North-South Corridor expressway adjacent to the Sembawang Hot Spring will not adversely affect this valuable resource of ours. Furthermore, a few years ago, a dormitory operator in Sembawang reported the discovery of another hot spring on their premises. I understand the leases of these dormitories are not being renewed, as the land is slated for redevelopment. I urge the Government to prioritise the preservation and protection of any new hot springs that may be discovered in the area. The potential of geothermal energy generation using underground heat in Sembawang has also been discussed. This presents a promising source of renewable energy and a valuable opportunity to diversify our energy sources. Can the Minister provide an update on this project? Specifically, I would like to know the exact location of the geothermal exploration and what is the potential impact it may have on our environment, more importantly, on the existing Sembawang Hot Spring. Another important element in our pursuit of energy resilience is solar. Despite our limited land size, Singapore has made commendable progress in incorporating solar power into our energy mix.”
“Mr Speaker, I would now like to turn to the main body of my speech today, focusing on three key issues vital to Singapore's future: energy resilience, people resilience and environmental resilience. First, let us address energy resilience. Together with many fellow Members of Parliament (MPs) in this House, I have expressed concerns about our heavy reliance on natural gas and the need to explore diversified energy options. In fact, I spoke about the potential of nuclear energy for Singapore back in 2009, during my first term as an MP, before the unfortunate Fukushima incident. Therefore, I am particularly pleased to hear the Prime Minister addressing the possibility of deploying small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) during his speech. These reactors are touted as being significantly safer and present lower risks compared to conventional nuclear reactors, like those in Fukushima. However, understandable concerns remain among Singaporeans, primarily regarding safety and the potential locations of these reactors. I therefore pose these questions: will these SMRs be situated on one of our offshore islands, as far as possible from our population centres? Or might they be located deep underground, within our granite bedrock, offering potential for easier containment in the event of any incident? Furthermore, the high capital cost and long gestation period associated with nuclear reactors are well-known. What is the estimated cost for these SMRs and how does the Government propose to fund this significant undertaking? Next, understandably, with the talk of general elections approaching, the media has been very busy trying to speculate where will be the hot spots. Let me help the media – there is only one true hot spot in Singapore, that is in Sembawang.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Budget. On behalf of residents of Sembawang group representation constituency (GRC), I thank the Government for the generous support provided to all Singaporeans and for the forward-looking Budget, which further invests in our economy, our infrastructure and most importantly, our people. The Budget Statement reports a surplus of $6.4 billion for this financial year (FY), which the Prime Minister attributes to better-than-expected corporate tax collection. We also acknowledge the Government's commendable efforts in confiscating approximately $3 billion from a money laundering syndicate last year. Furthermore, a significant sum of $6 billion was seized between January 2019 and June 2024, linked to criminal and money laundering activities. It demonstrates a robust approach to tackling financial crime. While the return of $416 million to the victims and the forfeiture of $1 billion to the state are positive steps, it is understood that a substantial portion remains tied up in ongoing investigations and court proceedings. In this context, I would like to ask the Prime Minister: did the confiscated funds contribute to the reported surplus? This question is pertinent given the devastating impact of scams on many Singaporeans, some of whom have tragically lost their entire life savings. Therefore, would the Government consider utilising a portion of this confiscated money to provide much-needed assistance and support to Singaporeans who have suffered such devastating losses. Such a measure would not only provide crucial financial relief but also demonstrate the Government's empathy and commitment to supporting citizens affected by financial crime.”
“Yes, a quick one. Will MOE take a look at the impact of this episode on students, especially those who had all the data wiped out, and the outcome of their examinations? Will their examination results be moderated according to this incident?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the Minister for the reply. I have three supplementary questions. Actually, he has answered my last supplementary question. The first supplementary question is: there are a lot of reports that came out immediately after the ERP 2.0 release on social media, as well as one that came out just today in CNA, talking about how the installation is not so straightforward. Even now, with it being allowed for the OBU to be installed it at the driver's footwell, some car makes are a bit smaller, especially Japanese cars, so, the footwell may not be the best location – drivers may still hit against the unit as they drive or as they get in and out of the car. I am just wondering whether MOT will continue to improve upon the current design, based on feedback from users, and introduce a different model? Some have also been asking, since the motorcycle OBU is smaller, can that be used for cars as well, rather than having the bigger units for the cars. The second supplementary question is: as we launched this OBU on 1 May, is there an active survey or feedback programme by MOT to actively collect feedback from all the motorists that have had the OBU installed? So, if there is none, then, why not? If yes, then continue to do so, so that we can get more feedback from the motorists, and we can improve upon it. The third supplementary question was to ask the Minister whether his car has been fitted with the OBU, but the Minister had answered yes. So, I would like to find out from the Minister's personal experience using this and then what are the difficulties that he has encountered?”
“Is the current MediSave amount that we have now sufficient in consideration of an ageing population, as well as increased lifespan?”
“Sir, I have two clarifications. First is on day surgery. We know that day surgery lowers the cost, as compared to an in-hospital stay, if they undergo some form of surgery. Would MOH be willing to explore to see how to expand day surgery, to change it to an outpatient surgery model instead? Which means that they do not have that 24-hour limit that is currently in place now. If we can extend it to 36 hours or 72 hours, that will actually allow us to have a bigger range of procedures to be done as day surgery. And day surgery really cuts costs. I think that is proven for a long time already. The second supplementary question is on healthcare cost. We are concerned with healthcare cost increases because the total household medical expenditure will go up, whether it is premium from insurance, whether it is their MediSave or whether it is out of pocket, because out of all these three, these three will continue to go up. Our current private healthcare insurance premium now in Singapore is the third highest in the world. We are just after the US and Hong Kong. I hope that we will not climb further and overtake Hong Kong. I understand that MediShield Life premium is under review now. It will go up. I would like to ask the Minister when the review will be completed, when this increase in premium will be announced and whether this increase in premium will also lead to other private insurance premiums to go up as well. Private insurance premium has gone up by about 20% per year and this is not a sustainable rate in my opinion. Then last of all, for MediSave, it is still our money. MediSave uses have been expanded a lot now, including hospitalisation, clinic uses now, health screening cost.”
“Because of the small size of our island, proximity to hospitals is a blessing. But it is also contributing to the overuse of A&E services for non-emergencies, resulting in a gridlock at the A&E and also a knock-on effect on bed shortage. This is often driven by a lack of knowledge about recognising and managing their health conditions. While long-term education efforts are crucial, we also need immediate solutions to address the current strain. Leveraging smart solutions and AI-powered triage systems can be a game-changer. Patients can rely on virtual consultations to connect with healthcare professionals remotely for initial assessments, potentially avoiding unnecessary A&E visits. AI-powered tools with symptom checkers and decision-support tools can also guide patients towards appropriate care options based on their symptoms, directing them to clinics, pharmacies or telemedicine consultations instead of the A&E. While I acknowledge the Government's efforts to address healthcare challenges, there remains a need for a more proactive, data-driven and cost-conscious approach. By embracing innovation, empowering patients and leveraging technologies, we can navigate the crossroads of healthcare costs as well as productivity, ensuring accessible, affordable and quality healthcare for all Singaporeans. Urgent Financial help for Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy”
“Beyond medical procedures, cost concerns are driving some Singaporeans to buy prescription medication from online marketplaces and over the counter across the border without prior medical consultation, potentially jeopardising their healthcare. This raises serious concerns about accessibility and affordability of essential medication within our healthcare system. We need to understand the root cause of this behaviour and explore solutions that prioritise both public health as well as affordability. What specific measures are being taken to slow down cost increases? We need concrete actions, be it exploring alternative treatment options, revisiting procurement strategies or leveraging on technology for cost optimisation. Are there plans to leverage on more bulk purchasing, negotiate for better pricing with pharmaceutical companies or explore alternative treatment options completely? Costs of a surgical procedure done in a day surgery setting is significantly much lower than that of a same procedure done as inpatient of the hospital. Can MOH explore how we can further expand the capacity of day surgeries to moderate our medical cost increases and reduce inpatient hospitalisation? Can the Ministry also elaborate on the utilisation of smart solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare delivery? Can these technologies be used to optimise resource allocation, streamline administrative processes or personalise healthcare for individual patients, leading to cost savings as well as improved outcomes? Smart medical monitoring devices or wearables can be used to substitute and reduce the reliance on our nurses for patient monitoring in the hospitals and, in same cases, outpatient settings as well.”
“Mr Chairman, I want to declare my interest as an ophthalmologist in a private group practice. The issue of healthcare costs and productivity is one that weighs heavily on the minds of many Singaporeans. While we strive for accessibility, quality of care for all, rising costs and long waiting times paint a concerning picture for all of us. Over the past decade, healthcare expenditure has skyrocketed, raising questions about sustainability as well. Long wait times for appointments and procedures frustrate patients and strain the healthcare system. The Government has taken steps to address these concerns and increased hospital bed capacity and medical personnel recruitment are commendable efforts. The recently unveiled nurse retention scheme as well as initiatives to improve healthcare workers' welfare are all welcomed. But all these belated responses are after years of groundswell feedback and growing pressure. The prompt question now is: why now, when the bed capacity issue has been a concern for years, even before COVID-19? This reactive approach highlights a need for a more proactive as well as an anticipatory strategy. What is being done now to move towards a more forward-looking approach in healthcare administration? Therefore, I raise the following questions. What are the key drivers to cost escalation in healthcare delivery? Are these primarily driven by medical technology advancements, rising drug prices, inflation or other factors or all of the above? Are there specific areas, such as medications, technology as well as administrative costs, that drive cost increases?”
“By addressing the suggested areas for improvement, we can enhance its impact and ensure a resilient and thriving Singapore for generations to come. Heat Resilience”
“With more Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) released recently, there is certainly an increased number of cars on our roads. More cars mean more carbon emissions, as a majority of the cars do not belong to the cleaner energy models. How many EV chargers were installed in public car parks to cater for this transition over the last three years? Are we bringing in new clean car models, including swappable batteries as well as cars running on hydrogen? The strength of the Green Plan is the holistic approach involving multiple Ministries, and there are clear targets providing a roadmap for actions as well as the emphasis on renewable energy and waste reduction that aligns with global sustainability goals. There are areas of improvement. While the targets are ambitious, we could even aim higher. For instance, exploring more aggressive renewable energy goals beyond quadrupling solar power deployment and other forms of renewable energy. There should be more community engagement involving citizens, more actively through education, incentives and community-led initiatives. Invest in comprehensive public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of sustainability. The Government should also establish robust mechanisms to track progress and hold stakeholders accountable and do timely reporting. More can be done to encourage collaborations with private sectors, research institutions, international partners to drive innovation and share best practices. The Green Plan should remain flexible to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging technologies. In summary, the Singapore Green Plan 2030 is a commendable step towards a greener and more sustainable future.”
“More floating solar farms were deployed. Last year during the Budget, I suggested to make solar panel deployment mandatory for all new buildings so that we can hardwire this requirement into our building code. So, this will speed up our solar energy deployment as well. We are only one year away from 2025. May I ask how much solar energy deployment have we achieved so far? Once we have achieved this target, what is the next target? More Government incentives in subsidy, grants and tax benefit can be considered to encourage solar power adoption. Number three is the reduction of waste sent to landfill by 30% by 2030, focusing on waste reduction as well as recycling. With more economic activities resuming to pre-COVID-19 levels, more waste will be generated. How many more tonnes of waste were sent to landfills annually over the last three years? Are we able to achieve this target? Will there be a review and a revision of this target in view of renewed economic activity? Target number four is to make at least 20% of schools carbon neutral by 2030, encouraging sustainable practices in educational institutions and educating our young. Currently, how many schools are carbon-neutral? What are the challenges to achieve this target? The weather is getting warmer and the schools are using more air-conditioning to provide a good, conducive and comfortable learning environment. Schools are also using more computer, AI as well as electronic devices that consumes more electricity. Is this target achievable and realistic? Target number five is to ensure that all newly-registered cars are cleaner energy models from 2030 onwards, transiting to green transport. What percentage of newly-registered cars now are classified as cleaner energy models today?”
“Mr Chairman, three years ago on 10 February 2021, we embarked on a bold journey with the Singapore Green Plan 2030, aiming to transform our nation into a sustainable and climate resilient future. Since then, the world has witnessed unprecedented climate challenges, and the urgency of our actions has only intensified. The Green Plan is a whole-of-nation movement that seeks to chart Singapore's green target over the next decade. It strengthens Singapore's commitment under the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the Paris Agreement. The ultimate goal is to position Singapore to achieve its long-term net-zero emission aspiration by 2050. Now, 1,110 days or 36 months on after the announcement of the Green Plan, what have we achieved? There were five key targets listed in the Green Plan. First one is to plant one million more trees, enhance our urban greenery as well as promoting biodiversity. How many trees have we planted out of our one million target? Did the Government take into account how many trees were cut down to make way for development during the last three years as well? For the trees that were removed, how many were matured trees that are more than a decade old? I am concerned that the replacement of these matured trees with young saplings may be contrary to our first target. Biodiversity conservation needs further focus, ensuring our ecological wealth thrives along with urbanisation. Target number two is to quadruple solar energy deployment by 2025, accelerating the adoption of renewable energy. Solar energy deployment has seen commendable upward trajectory with more solar panels deployed on Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, commercial as well as industrial buildings, including our airport.”
“While mandating sustainable aviation fuel for departing flights is a commendable way, what other strategic initiatives are planned across different sectors to leverage on our hub position? How will such initiatives affect Singapore's economic competitiveness as a travel hub? Investing in decarbonisation is not just an environmental responsibility. It is an economic opportunity for us as well. By embracing innovation, collaboration and regional leadership, Singapore can chart a course towards a greener, more resilient future for all.”
“Mr Chairman, as a small island state, Singapore is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The fight against climate change demands unwavering commitment and bold actions. As we navigate the path towards decarbonisation, I want to raise several key questions. First, how is Singapore keeping pace with emerging decarbonisation pathways? We need to be actively exploring and investing in low- and zero-carbon technologies like renewable energy, hydrogen and carbon capture. How can we ensure our efforts remain aligned with the latest advancements and evolving global strategies? How will the $5 billion Future Energy Fund be used to support the development of essential infrastructure especially those with long gestation periods like nuclear energy? Second, how can we further engage the private sector and philanthropic organisations in supporting decarbonisation efforts? What specific measures are being considered to mobilise private capital and expertise towards ambitious climate goals? Third, how will Singapore catalyse green and transition finance, especially within Southeast Asia? As a regional financial hub, we can play a leading role in channelling investments towards sustainable infrastructure, green projects and climate adaptation initiatives. Can the Government give an update on the Green Finance Action Plan? This is a comprehensive strategy to develop green finance solutions and capabilities, promote green finance standards and disclosures, foster green finance innovation and collaboration and build green finance talent and awareness. Finally, can we leverage our unique position as a global hub to accelerate climate actions, both at home and abroad?”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Minister of State for the reply. I would like to ask two supplementary questions. First is that, is the Government happy with the state of affairs of the current SFC utilisation? Is 50% of the of the population using SFC the target? Is there a near-term three years or five years target of raising this even higher? Second, for eligible Singaporeans, is there any way to encourage the remaining 50% on how they can use their SFC? What is the reason why they are not using it now, currently? Can the Ministry look into how to use AI or other methods to suggest courses for Singaporeans as well as identify skills or courses that they may take up? So, prompt them, push them a little bit, so that they can use this important fund to help improve their lives.”
“Thank you, Sir. As a follow-up question – will the food labelling of low-sodium food products and sauces be made mandatory? Or the other way around: will high-sodium food warning signs and labels be made mandatory?”
“Sir, I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary the reply. I would like to check what is the price differential now between potassium salt versus sodium salt currently in the market? I mean, after all the efforts that you have done, does HPB know what is the number of households that have switched over to potassium salt? And on the impact on businesses, she mentioned a grant was given for the food processing businesses for them to use potassium salt for their products. How much grant has been issued and what are the plans to promote this scheme further, including to the households as well?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. I would just like to ask the Senior Minister of State whether, in his opinion, there is vaccination fatigue now, whether the vaccination rate is dropping partly because people are feeling it is much safer now and also for fear of the side-effects of vaccination. If so, what is MOH's strategy to deal with this vaccination fatigue and whether there is a long-term plan, like what the Senior Minister of State just mentioned?”
“Thank you, Sir. I would just like to ask a few supplementary questions regarding what is the main cause for the increase in hospitalisation stay from 6.1 days to seven days. What are steps taken now to tackle that? Can we go back to six days again? And lastly, how much is it due to the backlog from COVID-19 and when will this backlog clear?”
“Thank you, Sir. I would like to thank the Minister for his Statement. I would like to make two suggestions in terms of the current COE system – and these are not new. These were suggested previously. First, would MOT consider a pay-as-you-bid system instead of people bidding higher and then paying for the lowest rate? Second, can we disallow financing of COE, which means that when you take a loan, it has to be only the car loan and not the COE? The COE has to be paid in cash.”
“Thank you, Sir. I would like to thank the Minister for the 3,000 health points for those who first signed up for Healthier SG. I would like to ask that for the elderly, especially those who do not have Healthy 365 and do not know how to encash these 3,000 health points, is there an option for them to ask for vouchers directly instead, or something like that? Secondly, will there be any other incentive schemes to retain people who have signed up for Healthier SG? So, if they are compliant to whatever social prescription that is given by their GP, what is the reward system going to be given to them? Lastly, on the Healthy 365 app, currently, how many Singaporeans are actually on this particular app? It seems that the Ministry is going to push the main platform for Healthier SG through HealthHub as well as Healthy 365. What are the plans now to beef up to get Singaporeans to sign up for the Healthy 365 app?”
“Others said that they are very small clinics with just one to two assistants and could not be able to cope with the transition to NEHR. What is MOH doing to get all private healthcare clinics to sign up with NEHR and what are the reasons for holding back? How can their concerns be addressed? Getting everyone on board is important in aligning the launch of Healthier SG as well. Lastly, I would like to ask what digital platform will the Healthier SG initiative be using. Currently, on our handphone, we have HealthHub; we have Healthy 365. Will NEHR be another app that we have to download? Will all these be integrated into a single app? Digital and Data Enablers of Healthier SG”
“Chairman, I declare my interest as an eye doctor in private practice. In today's medical setting, a patient would often visit multiple healthcare providers, from their GPs, to polyclinics and then to specialist centres. From there, some may be referred to therapy centres or to hospitals where, again, there are many centres with different specialist functions for diagnosis, treatment and care. Hence, the NEHR is a critical platform for many different healthcare professionals to come together to carry out their work in a healthcare setting. They can get quick access to health information electronically, to provide better quality and safer care for our patients. The system would provide complete and up-to-date information about the patient for their healthcare teams to deliver coordinated care. NEHR, which collects patients' health records across different healthcare providers and platforms, will enable the authorised healthcare professionals to have a longitudinal view of the patient's medical history, thus allowing multidisciplinary healthcare professionals across Singapore to access a patient's health records to develop a holistic care plan for the patient. The doctor would know the information of your blood type, of your allergies and the type of medications that you have been prescribed. As of April 2022, all MOH polyclinics and almost 60% of private medical clinics have access to NEHR, but we should get more of these clinics to sign up. I understand some reasons given were that there was a lot of paperwork for them. I believe some doctors have concerns that using NEHR could result in their medical practice being monitored and controlled, while others cite the lack of technical IT support.”
“What measures are MOH taking to tame medical inflation and what is the Government doing to help Singapore cope with the increasing out-of-pocket medical expenses? Will MOH review the current withdrawal limits of MediSave and increase it, so as to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for our citizens? Healthier SG Implementation”
“On the other hand, we have Healthier SG now, which will take care of another facet of healthcare, and you address how our citizens can live a good, healthy and meaningful life ahead. We must give full support for Healthier SG, both towards citizens, as well as the medical profession. On this note, I would like to ask the Minister for an update on the launch of Healthier SG, which is targeted for the middle of this year. What is the roll-out plan? How many family doctors have come on board, and what is MOH doing to engage those who have not signed up by now for the buy-in? For Singaporeans above 60 years old who will be the first batch to be signed up, how will this be carried out? How will they be paired with their family doctors and what if their current family doctors did not sign up for Healthier SG? Today, we are seeing a rise in cost of living due to high inflation. Medical expenses are not spared, as premiums for medical insurance have gone up as well. Across all sectors of healthcare expenses from rental, utility, salaries and operating costs, the cost of running healthcare institutions have risen over the past three years as well. As our medical facilities are acquiring more advanced medical technologies, the cost of treatment would have risen accordingly. The Government should look into reining in this infrastructure cost of public healthcare institution as that every available space in a healthcare setting is properly planned for optimal utilisation. Not every single public hospital lobby need to look like a five-star hotel or a shopping centre. This can help to tame capital expenses and costs for subsequent maintenance. What is the current and projected medical inflation for Singapore?”
“Sir, I declare my interest as an eye doctor in private practice. This year, we will see the launch of Healthier SG, which will transform the way healthcare is delivered. Our people will be empowered to take care of their quality of life through preventive and dedicated patient-doctors relation. This is a paradigm shift from reactively caring for those who are already sick to proactively preventing healthy individuals from falling ill. This big shift in our approach for healthcare is for everyone. As our population ages, if we do not change our current healthcare model, our healthcare expenditure will be increasing exponentially. So, a change of mindset and the healthcare model is now currently required, to make sure that quality healthcare remains affordable in the future. We have talked a lot about the ageing population and I think my colleague Ms Poh Li San has mentioned about the "grey rhino", which is a highly probable, high impact, yet neglected trap that will happen. By 2030, one quarter of Singapore's population will be aged 65 and above, and life expectancy currently of 83.9 will be expected to reach 85.4 by 2040. With ageing demographics, we will see an increased prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia with its consequential diseases in cardiovascular, such as strokes and heart diseases. On the other hand, we have smaller families now, which means there will be greater burden for those who are caring for their seniors, as mentioned by Deputy Prime Minister Wong in his Budget statement. We are fortunate to have various Government endowment funds, from Elder Care Fund and MediFund, to finance various programmes on an ongoing basis.”
“In my Budget debate speech, I have also urged the Government to bring forward the timeline to build the podders and seawalls that were announced by the Prime Minister during the 2019 National Day Rally. Active Citizenry and Coastlines”
“Sir, Singapore has over the years been shoring up our coastal areas against rising sea levels and the onslaught of stronger waves pounding on our shores. We have built walls and stone embankments covering 70% to 80% of our coastline. We have seen local institutions working together to research on coastal protection measures, using mangroves and other sea grasses as natural barriers to provide protection from the effects of climate change. We have several beautiful beach parks from Changi to East Coast and West Coast, from Pasir Ris to Sembawang, not to mention many more offshore islands. I will just pick one area, that is the East Coast Park, which has seen many efforts being put in place to stem the erosion of the sandbanks and wave breakers. The average sea level around Singapore is projected to rise by up to one metre in about 80 years' time. As studies show, sea levels could rise up to four to five metres, if we take into account other effects: (a) the mean sea level rise of one metre phenomenal as well as daily tidal activities occurring twice a day; (b) storm surges where on average Singapore experiences two to four each year; as well as (c) land subsidence due to tectonic movements. So, we have very good reasons to be concerned about rising sea levels. Can the Minister update us on our progress to safeguard Singapore against the threat of rising sea levels and also the effort in coastal protection? This will also provide great opportunities to reimagine, reshape our coastlines and, at the same time, integrate amenities for human activities. Can the Ministry involve the public in the design of Singapore's coastal protection measures so that they have a sense of ownership in managing climate change as well as the design of our future beach parks?”
“Chairman, we are a small nation state and reliant on many imports for our survival. The pandemic showed us how food insecurity could pose a real concern. We worried for our food supply and other essentials when countries suddenly imposed lockdowns to the movement of people and goods. The disruptions have seen how essential goods were stuck at logistic centres, warehouses or ports because the workforce was unable to man the operations, for one reason or another, or the shipping and air routes were closed. Fortunately, we were not caught off guard suddenly as we had in the past years worked hard to expand our sources of food supply, reaching out to countries from Brazil to Poland and South Africa, and from China to Australia besides our neighbouring countries. More than 90% of our food is imported from some 170 countries. Only 10% is locally produced. Certainly, due to natural constraints, we may not be able to significantly reduce this reliance on imported food, but we have since 2019 been working to increase self-production in accordance with the “30 by 30” strategy. That is, we hope to meet 30% of our nutritional needs locally by 2030, up from the less than 10% today. Can the Minister update the House on how the "30 by 30" strategy has been progressing? What is the Government doing now to help our local importers become more robust and resilient against any food supply shocks? How is the response to the grants and land tenders for other food items apart from hen shell eggs, food, fish and leafy vegetables? Are we making good progress in novel future food such as cultured meats? What can be done to get our consumers to be more resilient towards food supply disruptions? Enhancing Food Sources with Aquaculture”
“Chairman, according to the data from Singapore Department of Statistics and the Energy Market Authority (EMA), our household electricity consumption in Singapore rose nearly 33% from 6.6 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 8.2 gigawatt hours in 2021. Households account for about 15% of total electricity consumption, with public housing accounting for 60% and private residential accounting for 40%. For each household, the main uses of electricity are in three categories: environmental control, 49%; household appliances, 45%; and personal devices, 6%. The Government has been advocating the use of more energy-efficient air conditioners, lighting and household appliances with energy efficiency ratings so consumers can be better informed. What accounts for the 33% increase in electricity of Singapore households over the last 10 years? What more can the Ministry do now to help Singapore households manage their electricity consumption? What is the targeted electricity consumption by each Singapore household that the Ministry hopes to achieve and how is this target communicated to the public? Our Public Service and commercial industries are major consumers of the remaining 85%. What is the Ministry now doing to make them more energy-efficient and reduce electricity consumption? Water Treatment”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. My residents complain a lot about vehicle noise, especially along Woodlands Ave 10. At night, it is usually very quiet and there will be occasional vehicles that are very, very loud. My question to the Senior Minister of State is whether we can use technology such as noise-detection cameras like those deployed in the UK and New York last year as stated in reports, to detect such vehicles. It is very hard – by the time they report, the vehicles are gone; unless the Police can be there all the time, and especially in the middle of the night.”
“Chairman, November 2022 was one of the months when we saw two important events taking place and boosted the relationship between Singapore and China. There was the 18th Joint Council of Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) that was held in Singapore. This meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister of Economic Policies, Mr Heng Swee Keat and the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Mr Han Zheng. A total of 19 Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) and Agreements were signed with both countries agreeing to continue to work to look for growth opportunities in areas, such as digital and green economies to collaborate in. Shortly after that, in the same month, Chinese President, Mr Xi Jinping and our Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, met on the sidelines of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok. Both Leaders affirmed the close and multi-faceted relationships between Singapore and China. After months of strict lockdowns in China, China has now abandoned its zero COVID-19 policy and reopened its border. The infections have apparently peaked and normalcy has begun to return to major Chinese cities. There are reports of foreign businesses gearing up for travel into China as it reopens its door for foreign travellers again. Can Minister give us an outlook of the Singapore-China relationship in 2023, especially in the post-pandemic era, given the many areas that both countries are keen to work on together?”
“Chairman, our Singapore Green Plan 2030 was launched in 2021. There is no lack of publicity about our efforts to achieve net-zero emissions and we have invested in various infrastructure projects such as electric vehicle (EV) charging points, the use of EVs, promoting green buildings and offering grants for energy efficient technologies, among others. These were commendable efforts and we have thus far kept up with the momentum, although it was eclipsed shortly by the outbreak of COVID-19. Today, we have learned how because of high energy prices, some countries have taken a step back to using coal to supplement their use of fossil fuels. But there are also countries that stepped up their effort in moving forward to use clean energy and invested heavily in wind, solar and others. In fact, nearly half of the world's low-carbon spending took place in China last year, according to one research. Every one of us has a part to play in our Green Plan 2030. I would like to ask what is the Government doing to help individuals, households and businesses to play their part in the Singapore Green Plan and the transition to a greener, more sustainable economy? What Government support is there to help in this transition? From the individual's perspective, how will the Government ensure there are good jobs and good growth opportunities for Singaporeans amidst this Green transition from a little red dot to a little green dot? 3.30 pm Good Jobs and Opportunities for the Affected”