Rahayu Mahzam
Singapore
“We engage the insurance providers quite regularly, but we are very mindful about where we intervene, especially because they need to be competitive and there is a commercial dimension to it, which we feel that we should respect. So, how we intervene is via the conditions that are put in place vis-a-vis the consumers.”
“So, that is not something they can worry about. There is already the S+3M framework that is already in place, so we know that MediShield Life is one, they have their MediSave and if all else fails, there is MediFund.”
“Should there be disputes over specific claims, policyholders can take it to the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), an independent and impartial institution that assists with insurance-related disputes.”
“It is just a symptom, so the underlying cost pressures still need to be addressed. The description that we had put earlier in the past is that it is a knot that we need to untangle; and that is something we are doing with a multi-pronged, with engagements with different parties and stakeholders.”
“I appreciate the Member's feedback. As I said earlier, this is something that we will continue to consider. But we do also have to appreciate that the information that we get is live, in terms of waiting times and all that.”
“But I do take the point and we are actually reviewing to see what is a meaningful way to put out this information so that the public can understand, so that we can all track properly whether the good health outcomes are a result of the efforts that we are making. I will take the feedback back and we will continue to review this.”
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“I thank Member for the question and I appreciate his concerns because I also face similar complaints at the Meet-the-People Session and when I meet my residents. I do agree that it is an issue that we do want to address meaningfully, because we do still see some smokers in the residential estates and people who are living in the flats still trapped. I do want to state, though, that in as far as the scientific or the medical opinion on the matter is concerned, we are very clear. The negative health impact of second-hand smoke is very well established. It is something we do not want and exposure is bad. So, it is really a function of how we then translate it and operationalise it into protecting our people. Because the Member's question is not about us not doing anything about it; the question is about issuing guidelines. And in respect of guidelines, while there are no official guidelines and there are no plans to issue official guidelines, we already take into consideration this health impact as we are rolling out policies. And our policies come in multiple forms, including how we issue advisories or how we support with the I Quit Programmes, how we also address these matters in our health promotion activities. But when we are developing these policies, we also have to work together with other partners, including MSE and NEA. And so, I think this is something that we probably have to look at collectively. Translating and enforcing it in the spaces may not directly lie within the purview of MOH's remit. I note that the next Parliamentary Question is to MSE. Perhaps you can also explore further what can be done.”
“In recent times, based on their reporting, we have actually acted against X and TikTok. So, that shows that there is a mechanism for us to actually take action. Moving forward, we are going to be extending the age assurance measures to the designated social media services and looking beyond the content, to the design features. We are going to understand it a bit better. These are the things that are actually causing the harms the direct messaging from strangers, auto-play, other features that drive excessive use, emerging risks from AI companions and all that. So, we are actually going to break it down and see how we can improve it. Having said that, we are not foreclosing the decision on a ban, because we will do whatever it takes to protect our young ones. And if there is a need for stronger action, we will take it. But we are learning robustly from many different countries. Minister Desmond Lee made reference to Estonia, his visit to Estonia. Estonia is a country that we look up to, because it is quite advanced. And so, this idea of a blanket or social media ban is not a globally accepted position. Estonia has not applied it; in fact, I think Belgium as well as the state of New York. There are different approaches internationally. In fact, Australia has also amended its legislation to be a bit more targeted, looking at the design features. So, firstly, we are not starting on a blank slate. We do have safeguards in place and we do not think just rushing into having a ban may necessarily be the best thing. We are not foreclosing it as a decision, but we are studying what is more effective to achieve the desired outcome that you will want to see.”
“I thank the Member for the question. I just want to highlight that, indeed, we are taking reference from the judgment, from the decision, and the information that we are seeing, the findings, actually add to the growing body of evidence. We know that the harms are real and we are taking it seriously. So, it is not that we are not doing anything. We have been acting on protecting and safeguarding our young children from the harms online. But we take a different approach in that we also want something that is more effective. A more durable approach that will withstand the test of time and the test of evolution of the technologies. Because, as what the Member pointed out, what we have found from the decisions was that there were some specific features and dimensions of the social media platforms that actually impact the youths. So, it is not just about saying, "Okay, none at all". There are certain dimensions of it that causes the harm. And so, our approach targets the specific harms and the specific design features that produce them, and so this is also calibrated by the age of the user. And this is actually more demanding, more rigorous than a blanket ban. Because if you just say, "Okay, do not use it at all", you may not even solve the problem. What we are trying to do is to look at what is it that is causing the harm. Our approach has always been one that is outcomes-driven. And we have been building progressively on this. As I have said, we are not starting from a blank slate. We already have the Code of Practice for Online Safety, for the social media services. We introduced age assurance for apps and we also have the annual reporting that the designated social media services have to provide to us.”
“We engage the insurance providers quite regularly, but we are very mindful about where we intervene, especially because they need to be competitive and there is a commercial dimension to it, which we feel that we should respect. So, how we intervene is via the conditions that are put in place vis-a-vis the consumers. We note how there should be adherence to deductibles as well as the co-payment. So, these are things that we take a measured approach on. What the Member suggests is a dimension of the cost components. I will not preclude us from having just general conversations with insurers. But I just wanted to express the point that, while we do engage insurers quite robustly, we are very conscious about the fact that we also have to draw a line somewhere because it is a commercial product and we have to have them remain competitive.”
“It is just a symptom, so the underlying cost pressures still need to be addressed. The description that we had put earlier in the past is that it is a knot that we need to untangle; and that is something we are doing with a multi-pronged, with engagements with different parties and stakeholders.”
“I thank the Member for the questions. On his first point about the components of healthcare costs in the private sector, we are indeed looking at the different dimensions. We already have some robust fee benchmarks on the professional fees front. We are reviewing to see if there is a need and if there are some ways for us to also put in benchmarks in the other components of the other costs. On the panel arrangement, I believe we had a discussion also in a previous Sitting about why this came about. Really, it is going back to the whole big picture about insurers moderating the costs and how they can remain sustainable. Because claims are high and because there is over-consumption, over-servicing, they then need to make sure that they are moderating their costs. And this becomes an administrative effort in their effort to try and moderate the payouts by actually empanelling members so that they can limit their cost to those who fit their structures. This remains something that will be an enduring feature because this is a market reaction to something that is causing a pressure on the insurer's part. So, while we will take a position where we must protect the consumers and there must be fairness in all interactions with the panel doctors. We do this in many different ways. As the Member know, we are quite robust in actually putting errant doctors to task, if, let us say, they have not done it properly. We are sending out clinical guidelines to make sure that people are following proper care protocols and not just treating based on what they have as insurance policies. So, these are all multi-pronged approaches and efforts that we are putting in place to ensure that we are responding to some of the concerns in this space.”
“So, that is not something they can worry about. There is already the S+3M framework that is already in place, so we know that MediShield Life is one, they have their MediSave and if all else fails, there is MediFund. So, I hope that gives that assurance that we continue to monitor this, but at the same time, we need to appreciate that there are practical realities with regard to premium increases, but we also ensure that nobody will be left out or not to be able to have access to healthcare because of cost pressures.”
“We are also looking at how we can address the issue of over-servicing, over-consumption by putting in the levers that we have in place, which we have discussed previously in questions the Member has raised before, which includes fee benchmarks, clinical guidance to ensure that appropriate care is given and we enforce against errant providers. We have rider reforms, which the Member has seen; and also, in the works, the development of not-for-profit private hospitals. So, all these measures, in totality, will help to moderate the increases. But it is a reality that this will happen. We note, though, that there are concerns and we will continue to monitor this and respond accordingly to make sure that healthcare cost remains affordable. This ties into the second point the Member is making, with regard to seniors. We note they are especially vulnerable, but I just want to assert the point that there are also practical pathways that can be taken because there are options now. Seniors can, at the appropriate juncture, review or right-size their coverage in accordance to their needs as well as to their affordability at that moment in time. There are other options, for example, cheaper riders, that they can look at and perhaps, they can convert to those options. But in totality, I also want to give the assurance to members of the public and to the Member that no one will be left out or not have access to healthcare, because what is anchoring our healthcare system in Singapore is the fact that there will always be access to subsidised services in the public healthcare sector. And so, that is an assurance that we give to all Singaporeans, and we will continue to monitor to ensure that there will be affordable healthcare services and it is accessible to all Singaporeans.”
“I thank the Member for the question and I acknowledge that there are concerns among Singaporeans about this rising premium costs. But I would like to highlight that the premium increase actually reflects the underlying healthcare cost increases, the healthcare cost pressures and this increase include the increase in the cost because there is an ageing population, because of more expensive technological medical treatments, pharmaceuticals, manpower. So, there is a whole cluster of cost increases because of that. There is also over-consumption and over-servicing, and that is just a result of over-generous products that we see in the market today. So, this causes increase in the cost of healthcare, which then results in increased claims, which results in increased premiums. Because for this to be sustainable, the providers will have to reprice. Because otherwise, if we artificially limit it, it will not be sustainable. They will not be able to, then, pay out in accordance to what they need to if they do not adjust and make sure that they can sustain in the long run. In the end, this will actually harm the policyholders because they may see reduction in the benefits or even market exits, which is going to be worse. So, what we do at MOH, is that we do not just look at why these increases are happening. But we are looking at the root causes and trying to address the root causes. As I mentioned earlier, there are the causes in relation to ageing population, technological advancements and we have measures and levers where we look at getting the most cost-effective products in the market.”
“Should there be disputes over specific claims, policyholders can take it to the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre (FIDReC), an independent and impartial institution that assists with insurance-related disputes. MAS will also take action against insurers if they do not pay claims in accordance with policy terms and conditions or have unfair claims handling practices.”
“Integrated Shield Plan (IP) insurers review the premiums of IPs and riders every year. Across a three-year period from December 2021 to December 2024, private hospital IP premiums have been rising every year at an average of 8.6% while private hospital rider premiums have been rising every year at an average of 17.2%. In line with these trends, some private hospital IP and rider plans were recently repriced. However, with the launch of the new riders, policyholders can save on average 35% to 40% premiums by switching to the new riders. We have responded to previous similar Parliamentary Question Nos 1 to 4 asked by the Members at the 24 September 2025 Sitting, on increases in IP and rider premiums. To recap, Government's role is to ensure affordable, accessible and quality subsidised healthcare for Singaporeans, with MediShield Life coming in to cover higher bills. IPs and riders are private, commercial products that supplement MediShield Life coverage for unsubsidised healthcare. While the Ministry of Health (MOH) regulates the key parameters of IPs, such as the co-payment and deductible, to ensure that the schemes are sustainable, MOH's general practice is not to intervene in insurers' commercial decisions, such as the setting of premiums. To Mr Yip's question on claims management, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and MOH require insurance companies to uphold their contractual obligations and process claims in a fair manner. Under MAS' insurance regulations, insurers must notify their policyholders of any change in policy terms and conditions at least 30 days before it takes effect.”
“I appreciate the Member's feedback. As I said earlier, this is something that we will continue to consider. But we do also have to appreciate that the information that we get is live, in terms of waiting times and all that. So, the Member is right in that we will constantly review as to whether that measure is actually a good reflection of the state of the health systems. But as you know, we give feedback all the time to MOH and we do respond quite immediately to some of these issues, especially with, say, waiting time at the polyclinics, how they are utilising the online systems. And on the go, our public healthcare providers are constantly trying to improve and adapt. So, I want to give that assurance that we do take note of these: one, in respect of making sure that whatever we are measuring is meaningful; two, there is always a quick response to immediately and promptly respond to the needs on the ground as to the healthcare utilisation and to respond to the changing landscape with regard to ageing.”
“But I do take the point and we are actually reviewing to see what is a meaningful way to put out this information so that the public can understand, so that we can all track properly whether the good health outcomes are a result of the efforts that we are making. I will take the feedback back and we will continue to review this.”
“Mr Speaker, I appreciate the input and insight that the Member has raised. Perhaps I could just give some insight also as to how we have framed this. When we look at how we are tracking and measuring, we look at an end-to-end and a full suite approach to things: we look at the preventive efforts that we are doing, and that is why we are tracking screening rates, enrolment to Healthier SG; we look at the aspect of the systems and the pressures on that; the access to care is also one dimension; we also look at the larger health outcomes. There is actually a full range, and in that sense, many of these are already available, that datapoint is already available to the public to scrutinise and look at. Secondly, I think in deciding what are some of the KPIs or items for us to track, there needs to be an appreciation as to whether or not that is meaningful. I take note of some of the items that the Member has raised. There needs to be a balance in what we are tracking, because just providing the information may not provide any meaningful insight or will necessarily encourage the right behaviours. For example, when we look at Emergency Department timings, the point of it is really that at the end of the day for Emergency Departments, if it is an emergency case, it will be attended to immediately. Regardless of the median waiting times or whatever, there is already a protocol that is in place. The point is, we also want to then nudge behaviours. That particular measure may not necessarily reflect the efforts we are taking in that space. There is also cost to tracking and the measuring, so we want to make sure that whatever we decide on to measure must be meaningful, must then lead to better behaviours and the correct approaches to then respond to some of those indicators.”
“Indeed, for haze and a lot of the other conditions, there may be different vulnerable groups. It may be because of their age; it may be because of their existing medical conditions. We do try and keep an eye out for some of these things and see if there is a need to give special attention or some support. I thank the Member for raising the Community Health Posts. The Community Health Posts have been put in place for a broader approach to healthcare, especially for seniors, so that they can have immediate access within the community at the Active Ageing Centres, for example. It is an "always on" sort of setting. We are intending to make sure that there are regular engagements, and this includes services, such as telemedicine, as well as the delivery of medical services and also perhaps medication. Indeed, in situations where there are more immediate or sudden crises or events, they will definitely be meaningful platforms to be additional touchpoints for seniors.”
“I will just reiterate the point I mentioned earlier. From our assessment, there have been very prompt responses, even outside office hours, in terms of following through with a request for the search. So, in terms of the process, it is something that we have been monitoring and it is something that is done very promptly. So, it is not something that causes any inordinate delay. But like I said, if there are some specific circumstances, please let us know. I would also highlight that in discussions with patient, when the patient is still very conscious and lucid, clearly nothing stops the doctor from having conversations. And in fact, as I highlighted, the exception in section 15(2), I believe, of the AMD Act allows for the doctor to have a conversation about AMD broadly, to explain the concept, to explain the directive. So, this is something that I think does not stop the doctor from having that robust discussion, especially as they also discuss things, like Advanced Care Planning and LPA. They can, indeed, talk about the concept, so that the patient is aware of it and may want to choose it. But I think there are some concerns about it. I note the point, however, and this is feedback that I will take back to my colleagues to see if there are some other areas for which we can sharpen this further.”
“I thank the Member for the questions. In relation to the first matter, as I have explained, and I think the Member is fully aware, the reason we require that a doctor be present for the purposes of this is, because there are clinical implications, there are clinical treatments that may require some explanation from the medical perspective, as well as the fact that you need to also ensure the soundness of mind of the individual. I note the points raised, and actually, we are reviewing the whole AMD process to increase uptake and awareness on this; and also to streamline the processes to make it a lot simpler and accessible to the public. On the second point, actually, I did mention it. It is really a function of confidentiality. It is an important safeguard. You would appreciate the seriousness of the implications of an AMD. Firstly, because with an AMD, you want to make sure that it is only triggered at the point where the patient is certified to be terminally ill. We want to ensure that this does not get raised inappropriately. This is governed by the AMD Act and within the Act, there are exceptions, safeguards that say that the doctor can talk about this as a concept, to describe and explain the process, with a view to protect against the inappropriate use of this matter. Also, in our assessment, in terms of how the protocols are put in place, we are very conscious that this is a very time-sensitive process in a directive. And from our records, it does appear that it has been properly exercised. But if there is any further feedback in specific circumstances, feel free to raise it to us and we can look at how we can continue to improve the process as we are reviewing this.”
“Thank you. As of February 2026, more than 84,500 individuals have signed the Advance Medical Directive (AMD). The decision to make an AMD must be taken seriously as it is a legal document stating that an individual does not want to use any life-sustaining treatment to prolong his life in the event that he is terminally ill, unconscious or requires life-sustaining treatment. Hence, safeguards are in place to protect the interests of individuals. For example, a witnessing doctor ensures that the individual understands the medical implications of making an AMD, is not being coerced and is of sound mind. Strict confidentiality of AMDs are maintained to ensure that the knowledge of an AMD does not inappropriately influence treatment decisions before a patient is certified terminally ill. We have established operational processes to ensure that AMD search requests made by doctors receive prompt attention, including after regular office hours.”
“Thank you for that question. The care protocols are still being developed. I thank the Member for this suggestion – something that we can look into. What we do is that we take guidance and recommendations from the Screening Test Review Committee as well as the Agency for Care Effectiveness Clinical Guidelines. So, there are some evidence and data that we will use in determining these protocols. But what the Member has raised will be something we will take back and will consider to be included.”
“The Government, together with MUIS, MENDAKI, PA MESRA under M3 and partners from the Jaga Kesihatan, Jaga Ummah network (JKJU), will continue to support efforts to enhance our community's health and well-being. I am heartened when I see our community making steady progress. Through the efforts of Focus Area Five (FA5), more than 90,000 people have participated in various programmes in 2025. We are now in the holy month of Ramadan which is an ideal time for our community to resolve to lead a healthier lifestyle. We will continue to work with our partners to reach out to the community. Come, let us all take the first step today and enrol in a health programme. (In English): Mr Chairman, our goal is to ensure that the path to a healthier life is wide enough for everyone to walk on. Through our initiatives, no one has to navigate their health journey alone. By working hand-in-hand with our community partners and residents, we can build a Singapore where healthy living is inclusive, accessible and a lived reality for every one of us.”
“So far, 16 sessions have been organised islandwide, reaching more than 300 residents. We have received positive feedback. Thus, HPB will scale up Jom Check! to reach out and benefit more residents. Small actions, like going for regular health screenings now, can avert bigger problems in future. This is easier to do with Healthier SG, as eligible enrollees can enjoy special subsidies for Healthier SG screening tests. Today, about 57% of eligible residents have enrolled into Healthier SG. This percentage is higher for those aged 60 and above, at approximately 70%. Our community also registered the highest growth in enrolment over the past year. This is very encouraging. For those who have not yet enrolled, I highly encourage you to take that crucial step and enroll today. A second key issue is obesity. Thirty-two percent, or about one in three people in our community, is obese, a rise of nearly 10 percentage points from 24% in 2020. This is a major concern, as obesity increases our risk for developing multiple chronic conditions. The National Nutrition Survey shows that calorie intake, as well as consumption of sweet foods and drinks, is highest among our community. We also consume a high amount of saturated fat. This could be due to the excessive use of cooking oil. However, I am confident that we can make small, sustainable changes that is in line with our lifestyle and culture. Indeed, in our culture and religion, balance is important. Taking care of our body is a sacred responsibility. Let us reduce our intake of sugar, sodium and saturated fat and eat a healthy, balanced meal.”
“Breast cancer screening rates went down from 29% in 2019 to just 18% in 2024. When chronic conditions and cancer are not detected early, serious complications may arise, which will require more intensive and costly treatment. I understand that topics on health, such as screening, can be daunting. Thus, it helps to be able to speak to trusted healthcare workers in a familiar setting to guide us along. For many in our community, the mosque is such a setting that provides this support. I am therefore pleased to announce that the two mosques in Woodlands, An Nur Mosque and Yusof Ishak Mosque, will be partnering with NHG Health to provide CHP services by September 2026. A range of services, from general health advice and basic health assessments, to support for preventive health, disease management and post-discharge follow up will be provided. 10.45 am We will tailor these services to our community's needs, for example, consultations can be conducted by community nurses and health coaches who are fluent in Malay to help minimise communication barriers, especially for seniors. NHG Health will also seek feedback from asatizahs to include faith-based guidance into health workshops. By bringing healthcare services to familiar settings frequented by our community, and partnering with religious and community leaders, healthcare will become more accessible to our community To further encourage health screening among our Malay/Muslim community, since May 2025, the HPB has trialed the Jom Check! (Let's Check!) programme. This programme provides individual support in small group settings to help residents enroll in Healthier SG and book health screening appointments. This is done in collaboration with many healthcare partners.”
“HPB will explore how to expand successful elements to other towns. Besides ground-up, community-led initiatives, we are looking at ways to mitigate lifestyle risk factors to improve the health of our people. One example is a cohort smoking ban or tobacco-free generation policy as mentioned by Ms He Ting Ru. This means to restrict the access to all tobacco products for a specific birth cohort onwards. Through our current multi-pronged approach of policy measures, public education and cessation support, we are making good progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking. Prevalence has declined over the years, to 8.4% in 2024 and even lower in young adults aged 18 to 29 years at about 5%. We are also continually reviewing our tobacco control policies, including the tobacco-free generation policy which some other countries are exploring. Adopting a cohort smoking ban requires serious consideration. We remain open to the policy and will study its effectiveness, impact and how it may be implemented in Singapore's context. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is focusing our attention on combating the scourge of vaping. Hence, for now, we will continue to monitor international developments and learn from the experiences of other countries in how they implement a cohort smoking ban. Mr Chairman, allow me to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Adopting healthier lifestyles is something that we need to work towards collectively in our community. The National Population Health Survey 2024 showed that our Malay/Muslim community has some areas to improve on. First, health screening. Chronic disease screening among Malays fell nearly 10 percentage points, from 64% in 2019 to 55% in 2024.”
“From April 2026 onwards, more residents will be able to join workout and exercise sessions in familiar, convenient and spacious locations including community halls, plazas and malls near their homes, such as 888 Plaza and Fu Chun Community Centre. In tandem with holding more activities in the community, we will help residents explore and make greater use of existing neighbourhood amenities themselves. HPB will enhance the Healthy 365 mobile app with wayfinding and gamification features to connect residents to nearby opportunities to stay healthy and active in their everyday environment. For example, residents may be prompted to complete a brisk walk along park connectors or trails within their neighbourhood and complete digital "check-ins" at designated points. This feature will roll out progressively from June 2026. Residents can continue to receive rewards when they track their participation via the Healthy 365 app. Beyond the infrastructure, what will be key is the software – the networks and bond of the community. We want residents to look out for one another and encourage relatives, neighbours and friends to participate in healthier lifestyles that will build healthier people and healthier towns. HPB will support local community stakeholders, who have deep understanding of residents' needs and community resources, to co-design healthy lifestyle programmes. This includes developing a citizen-centric playbook from June 2026 to help partners effectively plan relevant activities for residents. Through collective ownership, residents will benefit from healthy lifestyle programmes and activities that are tailored to them. We will also jointly monitor progress to continually refine and improve on the initiatives.”
“This option will be further expanded to other specialties and procedures in Woodlands Hospital. With these services, patients will be better supported by the community care teams in their neighbourhood, while requiring fewer visits to Woodlands Hospital. This will help patients access required care in a more flexible way, while working around other commitments. NHG Health estimates this will save about 500 physical specialist outpatient clinic visits. This is expected to increase further as the initiative expands. Even as we are bringing healthcare services closer to the community for greater accessibility, we agree with Ms Mariam Jaafar that health begins with individual choices and we can design a healthier ecosystem to support individuals to make better personal health choices in different settings. One key setting is the immediate neighbourhood that residents live in. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) conducted a study and found that residents are more likely to participate in health activities held in everyday surroundings that are accessible, green and fit seamlessly into their busy lives. They also value social experiences that are fun and community driven. These insights point to the need for a collaborative, ground-up approach with local community partners. They understand both residents' needs and preferences and the community spaces within the neighbourhood. They also play critical roles in facilitating access to neighbourhood facilities and spaces, encouraging participation in activities and building social connections that will make healthy living appealing and sustainable. Thus, HPB will work with local community partners so that residents will find it easier to access and participate in healthy living activities.”
“For example, residents with diabetes receive ongoing support at enhanced CHPs through glucose monitoring and personalised health counselling, with the community health teams regularly updating the residents' specialist doctor on their progress and any changes in their condition. This ensures interventions can be made early if needed. For seniors who are already at the AACs for programmes, they can also consult healthcare staff easily without needing to make a separate visit. We have also noticed that some patients miss specialist appointments due to work schedules or limited mobility. To address this, Woodlands Hospital will launch a new initiative starting end of this month to provide specialist-supported care for patients in the community through the enhanced CHPs in Woodlands and direct teleconsultation with individuals. Starting with diabetes and asthma, selected patients can choose to receive specialist-supported outpatient care at an enhanced CHP through teleconsultation with the hospital care team. Instead of travelling to Woodlands Hospital for their appointment, they will be able to see a health coach or nurse at the enhanced CHP to manage their condition and will receive support from the specialist doctor through teleconsultation. With regular monitoring of health conditions, nurses are able to pick up early signs of poor control and work with specialist doctors for early treatment and help patients avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Woodlands Hospital has also started rolling out teleconsultation for selected patients who have undergone colonoscopy screening with low-risk screening results. Instead of making a trip to Woodlands Hospital, patients can choose to teleconsult their specialist doctor from anywhere, including at the CHP, if they need help.”
“Many also ignore symptoms that are not yet serious or urgent. Consulting a healthcare professional early can lead to earlier identification of issues, which in turn leads to earlier intervention and better health outcomes. We agree with Dr Haresh Singaraju's view that it is important to connect patients to community resources, and we are enhancing accessibility of health services by bringing care directly into the community. I am pleased to announce that NHG Health has been progressively enhancing 11 CHPs across Woodlands Town since the start of this year. These enhanced CHPs, which are located within Active Ageing Centres (AACs), will be opened once a week. All residents, including non-seniors, can walk-in to these enhanced CHPs to access services such as: general health advice, basic health assessments and social prescriptions which include linking up residents with community programmes and resources, support for preventive health and disease management; including health coaching, medication review and chronic disease and frailty management programmes, and support for caregivers and post-discharge follow-ups for patients returning home from hospitals. These services are provided by NHG Health's community health teams comprising community nurses and health coaches, who will bring in pharmacists, dietitians and therapists based on residents' needs. They also work closely with GPs in the region and healthcare professionals in hospitals to provide coordinated care for residents with chronic diseases and frailty.”
“Mr Chairman, my speech covers the Ministry's initiatives to bring care closer to the community, how we are strengthening our environment and ecosystem for healthy living and our efforts to improve our population's health. As our society ages, improving our population's health and preventive care is critical for longer, healthier lives. We have embedded preventive healthcare into the community through Healthier SG and AgeWell SG to support residents while they are still relatively young and healthy, and as they age. Mr Alex Yeo and Dr Hamid Razak would be pleased to know that the development of Healthier SG Care Protocols related to frailty and functional health, such as for osteoporosis and dementia are progressing well and would be rolled out in 2028. These care protocols will ensure evidence-based care is provided more consistently through Healthier SG general practitioners (GPs). Ms Mariam Jaafar also spoke about improving community health, in particular the north region. Our data shows that in the north, the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension is above the national average, and residents engage in less physical activity. While we continue to review reasons for these trends, we are simultaneously stepping up our preventive care efforts in the region. We will start off with Woodlands Town. First, we will enhance the Community Health Posts (CHPs) in the town. Secondly, we will improve access to specialist-supported care in the community. Thirdly, we will support residents to engage in healthy living activities by opening up community spaces for exercise programmes, introducing digital wayfinding in Healthy 365 and empowering local community health advocates. As seniors age, visiting polyclinics and hospitals can be difficult due to mobility issues.”
“Overall, MOH's operating expenditure maintains an upward trajectory. The revised FY2025 estimate of $18.49 billion is $1.63 billion, or 9.7%, higher than the actual FY2024 operating expenditure. The trend of increase will continue, as shown by the estimated FY2026 operating expenditure of $20.04 billion.”
“Overall, MOH's operating expenditure maintains an upward trajectory. The revised FY2025 estimate of $18.49 billion is $1.63 billion, or 9.7%, higher than the actual FY2025 operating expenditure. The trend of increase will continue, as shown by the estimated FY2026 operating expenditure of $20.04 billion. [Please refer to "Reason for Lower-than-projected Health Ministry Operating Expenditure in FY2025", Official Report, 4 March 2026, Vol 96, Issue 24, Oral Answers to Questions section.] [(proc text) Written statement by Ms Rahayu Mahzam circulated with the leave of the Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5). (proc text)] I wish to make the following factual correction to my statement made during Question Time at the Sitting on 4 March 2026. My statement should read as follows:”
“Speaker, I report that the Committee of Supply has made progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2026/2027 and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Chairman, may I seek your consent to move that progress be reported and leave be asked again to sit?”
“Mr Speaker, in response to the Member's question, I would just also reiterate the point I made earlier that we do want to take a balanced approach, because while we do want to actually protect consumers, it is important to appreciate that some of the premium revisions are really issues of market decisions and we do have to leave some of this to market forces. Having said that, I appreciate that there are concerns on the impact to consumers. As mentioned in previous Parliamentary Questions, firstly, information is made available, and there are a lot of guidelines to try and get people to make the best decisions. Separately, we have also been looking at different modalities and approaches, including introducing benchmark for private professional fees to guide pricing and guard against overcharging. We have taken enforcement actions against a small minority of doctors who made errant claims. We have also intervened to improve consumer fairness and transparency. We will continue to work on these to make sure that consumers are protected.”
“I can appreciate the Member's concern, Mr Speaker. Some of the information are non-public information with regard to the operations. But Member can be assured that it was not an issue of compromising of care to patients. Largely, it related to the different projects and different decisions that were made on certain items, but healthcare services continued to be priority and continued to be delivered well to the patients.”
“Mr Speaker, the net decrease comprises many lines of reduction and these include the timing of some decisions. It is an operation, as the Member will know, so there are many different things that could happen. But actually, in total, it partially also offsets increases. So, there will be some decreases, some increases and largely because there are operational demands within the public healthcare institution.”
“I thank the Member for the question. Mr Speaker, indeed, as a matter of principle, we do want to encourage screening, but when we do so for the general population, we make recommendations and these are highly subsidised. When we do this, we actually make reference to the recommendations by the Screening Test Review Committee and we take deference from that. Because this does mean that we do have to allocate resources and funding to it if we do this for the general population level. For individuals, it is something that we will need to look at and assess, because the prevalence is different and the clinical effectiveness of the tests are different. What we recommend is for patients to have that good relationship with their doctors so that they can individually recommend it accordingly. To make a scheme out of this is something we need to assess because it will require some separate resourcing.”
“The Government has made more records available to the public over time and will continue to do so. Singapore stories not only enhance our understanding of history but enable us to reimagine our future. The SG60 Heart&Soul Experience, which was visited by two million visitors in the second half of last year, allowed Singaporeans to express their hopes and dreams for Singapore. I am glad to hear that it was well received, with most visitors giving it a rating of five out of five. The Experience was also an example of utilising digital innovations, such as AI and immersive storytelling, to present a multisensory experience. By pairing the experience with NLB's resources, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about using AI in their daily life. To conclude, Mr Chairman, as digital technologies become increasingly complex and sophisticated, their potential to transform our society and lives, whether for better or worse, has never been greater. As the Malay peribahasa or proverb reminds us, "Berat sama dipikul, ringan sama dijinjing." We share responsibilities and work together to overcome challenges, be it big or small. Harnessing technology for good as well as mitigating the negative impacts of technologies require more than just technical knowledge. Ultimately, we need a whole-of-society effort that brings together the experiences and perspectives of the Government, industry, academia, civil society and citizens. Let us work together to chart a bright and promising digital future for generations to come. [Applause.]”
“Members of the public, including Members of Parliament, can approach the National Archives of Singapore to look at all this declassified material and form their own nuanced views. Mr Fadli also raised the proposal for a Freedom of Information Act to automatically declassify records and release them publicly after 25 years. The experience of some countries with similar legislation shows that most, if not all, will still have carve-outs. In fact, implementing an Freedom of Information Act could lead unintentionally to more opacity. Mr Tony Blair's 2010 memoirs record his views on the UK's Freedom of Information Act, which was enacted while he was Prime Minister. He said, after leaving office, that "The Freedom of Information Act…is a dangerous Act [because] governments need to be able to debate, discuss and decide issues in confidence. Without the confidentiality, people are inhibited and the consideration of options is limited in a way that isn't conducive to good decision making. In every system that goes down this path, what happens is that people watch what they put in writing and talk without committing to paper. It's a thoroughly bad way of analysing complex issues." In other words, a Freedom of Information Act can hinder rather than facilitate governance because issues deemed too sensitive are simply not documented. Therefore, our starting point should be prioritising transparency that leads to good governance and an informed citizenry instead of transparency for its own sake. We already have a mechanism for members of the public to request access to Government records for reference or research, which historians and researchers have used to nominate documents for review.”
“Student librarians can also broaden their learning, through volunteering, student attachments and learning journeys. NLB will do more to foster strong reading habits and plans will be shared in due course. Our libraries also play a vital role in preserving and sharing our Singapore Stories. These stories form the bedrock of our community and ensure that our collective experiences are not lost to time. 5.30 pm To mark Singapore's 60 years of Independence, NLB and MDDI launched a book and exhibition on The Albatross File, which documents the events, personalities and debates surrounding Singapore's journey to Independence. I thank Mr Christopher de Souza for commending the teams involved. The exhibition has resonated strongly with the public. Since December, over 130,000 have visited; 96% said they left with a deeper understanding of the path Singapore took. To Mr Fadli Fawzi's observation that the exhibition departs from what he was taught in school, there has always been differing points of view on Singapore's separation from Malaysia. This is unsurprising, given the nature of historical accounts. For example, British, Australian and New Zealand archives released from the early 1990s reflected the perspectives of their diplomats and governments. In 1998, full versions of the perspectives of Singapore's officials appeared. Prof Albert Lau's "A Moment of Anguish" remains the most definitive account of the separation. The first volume of founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew's memoir also featured a gripping account. As stated in the editorial notes of The Albatross File: Inside Separation, nothing material to the understanding of the separation was held back. The documents published were reproduced in full, without redaction.”
“Although I just launched the programme last month, I am heartened that we have rolled out 12 AI-related workshops and events in the community so far, reaching over 400 participants. I hope that Langkah Digital will empower even more members in our community. (In English): Mr Chairman, as technology keeps evolving, it is not enough for us to hone our technical skills. To harness AI wisely, we need to ask the right questions and be discerning about the answers we get. Therefore, our children need to develop capabilities to read and process information effectively from young. I am spotlighting reading because it is a skill that is increasingly at risk in a world where information is delivered at break-neck speeds, often in short-form and visual formats. Reading is essential for learning new skills. It improves our attention span, develops critical thinking skills, and builds creativity and empathy. All these are essential qualities for us to use technology for the benefit of ourselves and others. Promoting reading is therefore important in addressing the concerns raised by Members about social and intellectual degradation that might come with AI. Ms Cassandra Lee asked how NLB is refreshing the libraries' role with families in mind. We can start with encouraging parents to cultivate good reading habits in their children from a young age. This also provides our children with a screen-free alternative in our device-heavy era. This is why NLB will continue to partner with MOE to strengthen the library programme for schools. This includes an upcoming School Librarians of the Future Summit and webinars to empower student librarians as reading advocates and champions for information literacy.”
“Some are just starting to explore and experiment, while others are focused on enhancing their technical skills and putting them into practice. To work towards making our vision of an AI-Confident Malay/Muslim community a reality, M³ has launched Langkah Digital, led by Yayasan MENDAKI. As I announced last month, Langkah Digital is designed around three key elements – Kenal, Guna, Yakin. Kenal (Knowing) helps people learn more about safe digital exploration; Guna (Use) encourages integrating technology in daily life; and Yakin (Confident) nurtures lifelong digital learning so that the community can continue to adapt independently. This step-by-step approach allows us to engage different segments of our community and provide support that matches the level of their digital journey. Staying true to our "gotong-royong" spirit, MENDAKI will bring together the whole community, including the M³ family, Malay/Muslim organisations, the MENDAKI Professional Networks, as well as partners from the public and private sectors. A good example is Mr Luqman-nul Hakim, who works as an AI engineer and has stepped forward to support Langkah Digital. Luqman has led sessions on AI at Al Khair Mosque for over 30 participants and facilitated an AI workshop for more than 60 participants. These programmes help cater to individuals with different abilities and interests in our community. Some introduce AI tools such as ChatGPT, while others focus on more advanced skills such as prompt engineering. Digital champions, such as Luqman are the driving force behind Langkah Digital. They not only help to bring different groups together but also foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration around technology.”
“Members of the public can experience the uses and benefits of AI, and how to use GenAI safely and responsibly. We will continue to provide targeted support for vulnerable groups. At SG Digital Community Hubs across Singapore, seniors can learn how to use digital services for daily tasks, such as booking medical appointments and mobile banking. I would like to reassure Ms Sylvia Lim that the Government will continue to adopt a "digital first, but not digital only" approach. Citizens, particularly seniors, who need in-person support will still be able to receive assistance at Government agencies' physical service touchpoints and at ServiceSG Centres. We will also continue to collaborate with Digital for Life partners to help persons with disabilities participate meaningfully in our digital world. For instance, Guide Dogs Singapore developed a toolkit to help members of the visually impaired community learn to use low vision accessibility features on the smartphone, such as the VoiceOver function. Through these efforts, we are building an inclusive Singapore where every citizen can benefit from our digital future. Sir, allow me to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, mastering new skills can feel daunting sometimes, but the learning experience becomes more rewarding with support from our peers and the community. Digital technologies, including AI, have become important ingredients in our daily lives and for the jobs of tomorrow. Thus, it is important that all of us are equipped to not only have digital skills, but to use them confidently and thoughtfully. Everyone is at a different stage of their digital journey.”
“We will continue to ensure that AI literacy programmes remain accessible in our schools. IMDA is working with MOE to update the Code for Fun programme in our primary and secondary schools to integrate AI skills as core baseline capabilities for all students. We will make this available to all schools in 2027. Primary school students will learn the basics of AI, such as creating digital storybooks. Secondary school students will learn to use AI to create solutions for real-world problems. As students experiment and learn with AI, they will also learn about the risks, limitations and responsible use. For lower-income families, IMDA's DigitalAccess@Home scheme will continue to support them with subsidised broadband and computing devices. I thank Mr Fadli Fawzi, Ms Jessica Tan, and Mr Sharael Taha for their interest in public education initiatives to strengthen citizens' digital literacy and resilience, including for our seniors and persons with disabilities. Today, citizens can look to IMDA's Digital Skills for Life resources to pick up skills to navigate digital spaces. This includes how to use Generative AI confidently and safely, as well as how to identify AI risks, such as misinformation, scams and deepfakes. Our libraries also provide important touchpoints for digital learning. The National Library Board's (NLB's) S.U.R.E programme, which stands for Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate, encourages Singaporeans to evaluate the credibility and reliability of information. NLB will roll out new resource packages and outreach programmes under SURE to build information literacy skills. NLB will also offer roving experiential showcases across public libraries and other public spaces.”
“Minister of State Jasmin Lau spoke earlier on enhancing public sector digital capabilities. We are also doing more to grow educators' knowledge and understanding about technology. Last year, MDDI and MOE launched the Smart Nation Educator Fellowship, and 58 fellows attended the inaugural run. I am glad that the feedback has been positive. Many participants shared that the Smart Nation Educator Fellowship has sharpened their abilities to guide students to become thoughtful and responsible users of technology. Mr Ezal bin Sani, a Lead Teacher for History in Jurong Secondary School, was one of the Smart Nation Educator Fellowship fellows. For a Secondary 1 History inquiry-based project on Singapore's migrant Chinese communities, Ezal’s students conducted AI-powered interviews with historical "coolies" and used ElevenLabs or Google NotebookLM to create their own AI podcasts. Initiatives like this demonstrate how powerful educational technology can be in our classrooms, with students critically assessing the information gleaned from AI tools to enhance their learning process. This year, we are refining the fellowship to focus on the power and possibilities of AI. Through workshops and industry visits, educators will better appreciate how AI is relevant in the workplace. This can in turn support students' development of AI skills and competencies. We will update programmes in our schools to meet emerging needs, just as we have done before. As the Prime Minister shared, AI literacy is fundamental digital competency that will become even more important going forward. Mr Sharael Taha and Mr Darryl David asked about the Government's plans to make digital skills and tools available to every child, regardless of background.”
“While parents can look forward to stronger guardrails to protect our children from online harms, parents also play an important role in inculcating healthy digital habits in children. Parenting in the digital age is undoubtedly challenging. We frequently hear stories of children being glued to their devices during family dinners, or parents feeling shut out from their children's digital spaces. Some have even described parenting today as swimming against a relentless digital tide, while struggling to stay afloat amidst competing priorities. These concerns are real, and we want parents to know that they are not alone. To address these concerns, MDDI has rolled out resources for parents and is strengthening efforts to make them more accessible in the community. Parents can access tips on how to guide their children's digital interactions on IMDA’s Digital for Life portal. These are tailored to different digital milestones in the parenting journey, such as a child's first device use, first social media use and first online game. Families with young children will also be supported by digital parenting workshops and webinars. These sessions are designed to meet different needs. Some support parents of younger children, while others engage families with youths who may encounter more challenging online situations. We will continue to do more to support digital parenting and welcome suggestions on how we can improve our programmes. Preparing for the digital world requires us to not only be safe online users, but also purposeful and discerning learners. We need to prepare our students and educators for an AI-enabled future, as Mr Henry Kwek and Ms Lee Hui Ying highlighted. Educators play a critical role in the development of essential skills for our students.”
“As MDDI continues to study the impact of social media bans, we plan to extend age assurance requirements to designated social media services. This would better ensure that online services are age-appropriate for users, including children. Consultations with the designated social media services are ongoing, and more details will be announced later this year. The Government remains vigilant regarding online harms outside of app stores and social media services. Some parents have expressed concerns about harms that online video games bring, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and screen addiction. We recognise these concerns and are studying whether safeguards on online video games are needed. We are also mindful of other types of online services that may pose a threat to online safety. As Ms He Ting Ru pointed out, one example is the misuse of AI to generate indecent content, such as sexual content and violent content, in real time and at scale. Chatbots that are embedded in social media services present unique risks as users, including children, can access them more easily. Ms He also raised a recent worrying trend of users using prompts on X's chatbot, Grok, to replace the clothes of adults and children with revealing attire, such as bikinis. IMDA is engaging X on the issue. We note that X has taken some measures to address the matter globally. We will continue to monitor the issue closely and will work with X to enhance online safety for Singapore users on its platform. We will not hesitate to take designated social media services to task if they have failed to comply with the SMS code. We are also studying whether safeguards for AI chatbots are needed to better protect users from the harms caused by their misuse.”
“In MDDI's Digital Parenting Study in 2025, over half of respondents wanted more Government support, including stronger legislation, to help them manage their children's digital activities. Ms He Ting Ru asked about efforts to better protect children from the harms and risks associated with social media. We have taken progressive regulatory measures to address the concerns of parents and the community. Over the past three years, we introduced two Codes of Practice for Online Safety. The Codes require designated social media services and app stores to minimise Singapore users', especially children's exposure to harmful content. The Codes also require designated social media services and designated app stores to submit annual online safety reports to IMDA. IMDA is presently assessing the annual online safety reports submitted by the designates social media services in 2025. IMDA's overall report will be published alongside designated social media services reports when ready. 5.15 pm Today, we already do age assurance in the physical world, like how supermarkets or convenience stores check the ID of customers before selling age restricted products, such as alcohol or tobacco. From the end of this month, designated app stores will have to implement age assurance measures to prevent users who are under 18 from accessing and downloading age-inappropriate apps. As new risks continue to emerge, online safety remains a constant challenge around the world. Some overseas jurisdictions have announced or implemented social media bans. Singapore also wants to strengthen protection for our children online and we want to do it right and take a holistic approach.”
“Mr Chairman, while technology has made our lives easier and offers the promise of a better future, we must ensure our digital society remains safe and vibrant. The Government will continue to play a strong role in protecting those who are most vulnerable to online harms. At the same time, we must also empower citizens to build the skillsets and confidence to navigate and learn in today's digital world, especially with the advent of AI. I will outline MDDI's efforts in these areas. Let me start with online harms. Many of us have heard stories, or perhaps even know someone who is a victim of online harms. Some victims have experienced online stalking, while others have had their intimate photos abused. Often, victims and their families deal with tremendous distress and helplessness. This is why the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill, passed in Parliament last November, is so crucial. As part of the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act, we will establish a new agency, the Online Safety Commission (OSC). The OSC will be set up by the first half of this year. It will begin by supporting victims of five highly prevalent and severe online harms: online harassment; intimate image abuse; image-based child abuse; doxxing; and online stalking. Upon assessment of a victim's report, the OSC can issue directions to disable access to harmful online content or restrict the perpetrator's online account. Even as we set up the OSC to provide an additional avenue of support, I know that many parents are naturally worried about their children's daily digital activities. Children are amongst the most active digital users, and many parents are stretched as they juggle monitoring their children's digital usage with other commitments.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Actually, the Ministry has recently announced higher subsidies for root canal treatments and permanent crowns, so there are some extensions already looked at. But as with many other measures, we are constantly reviewing it to see how best we can support patients. 10.43 am”
“Thank you, Speaker. Mr Dennis Tan had, in his speech on 24 February 2026, called for Pioneer Generation (PG) and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidies to be available at national dental centres when patients are referred there due to complicated conditions. Mr Tan mentioned that his colleague, Mr Kenneth Tiong, had raised the same issue in a Parliamentary Question. I would like to make some clarifications, please. Subsidies and PG benefits are, in fact, extended to patients at national dental centres. Hence, when Mr Tiong asked in November last year if polyclinic dental services should cover denture fabrication repair and fitting, the Ministry of Health (MOH) had replied that the polyclinics do cover these services. However, complex cases should still be referred to specialist centres like the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), since they require specialist management. Such referral cases are subsidised at the specialist centres. For the specific case that Mr Tan had raised, the patient had also written to The Straits Times Forum page. Subsidies were not extended to the patient's mother because she was a private patient. MOH will be reaching out to the member of public to explain the situation.”