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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,289 lines we hold for Rahayu Mahzam, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 7 of 26.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were instances where persons who were served with isolation orders went about running errands or having meals, before heading home to be isolated. Such actions have heightened the risk of disease transmission. Clause 12 of the Bill introduces a new provision that makes it an offence if such persons, without reasonable cause, fail to proceed to the place of isolation as soon as possible, if the isolation order does not specify a time to do so. Currently, section 21A of the IDA requires persons who know or have reason to suspect that they are a case, carrier or contact of a dangerous infectious disease to not expose others to the risk of infection in places outside of their homes. Household members inherently face higher transmission risk, and the current provision assumes that they are willing to accept such risks due to their close relationship or living arrangements with one another. However, the COVID-19 pandemic showed us that there can be varied living arrangements in Singapore where the assumption may not apply. These include co-tenants or employer-employee living arrangements. Additionally, there may also be cases where a person behaves irresponsibly inside their home to the detriment of other household members. Hence, clause 20 of the Bill amends section 21A by additionally making it an offence to deliberately or recklessly put another person in one’s own place of residence at risk of infection by one’s own conduct. This would allow us to act against infected persons who refuse to isolate in their rooms or continue to use communal areas without taking reasonable precautions. Various provisions in the IDA will also be refined to meet our operational needs in managing the outbreak of infectious diseases.”
“Currently, the IDA recognises three categories of persons in relation to an infectious disease: one, actual infected "cases" who have the disease; two, "carriers" who are harbouring, likely to or suspected of harbouring the disease; and three, "contacts" who have been exposed to the risk of infection from the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that there may be situations where we will need to take public health measures pre-emptively for persons who do not fall within any of these three categories, but are still at a higher risk of exposure to infection and onward transmission of the disease due to their unique circumstances and the nature of that particular disease. Hence, clause 2 of the Bill supplements these three categories by introducing the concept of an "at-risk individual". An "at-risk individual" includes an individual who is or appears to the Director-General of Health or a Health Officer to be a contact or carrier of an infectious disease. Examples of such individuals include those who live in high-risk living arrangements or work in high-risk occupations where prolonged close contact with others may be unavoidable. An "at-risk individual" would also include individuals entering Singapore from a country during a period when there is an outbreak or suspected outbreak in that country. Individuals who have undergone a medical examination in connection with an infectious disease but have not received a conclusive test result are also "at-risk individuals". The recognition of "at-risk individuals" and the application of the powers under the IDA to such individuals allow public health measures, such as testing or isolation, to be carried out at an early stage to stem the spread of an infectious disease.”
“Currently, section 31 of the IDA requires persons arriving in Singapore by air or sea to fulfil specified vaccination requirements and show proof of such vaccination. In line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO's) recommendations, this provision is currently applied in respect of yellow fever vaccinations for travellers from certain African and South American countries that are endemic for yellow fever. This is intended to protect Singapore against the risk of importation of the disease. To guard against new diseases and to capture all possible modalities of travel into Singapore, clause 28 of the Bill will expand section 31 to include travellers entering Singapore by land. Besides strengthening our levers to prevent the importation of diseases into Singapore, Singapore should also be responsible in preventing the exportation of diseases if we are experiencing an outbreak. Therefore, clause 32 of the Bill removes the prerequisite under section 45B of the IDA for a PHE to be declared before the Minister can require persons to undergo medical examinations before leaving Singapore. Such medical examinations, also known as "exit-screening", are implemented in advance of a PHT or PHE as a key measure to prevent the cross-border spread of an infectious disease. Such measures are also in line with the WHO’s recommendations under the International Health Regulations. Singapore is a densely populated country, and this can accelerate the spread of an infectious disease within the population. Therefore, additionally, we will be strengthening our levers to prevent disease transmission within our communities.”
“Accordingly, clauses 14 and 36, and the new section 21H of the Bill, insert an additional safeguard where only Health Officers who are public officers, officers of statutory bodies and auxiliary police officers can be authorised to arrest persons without a warrant. In addition, these officers must also be separately authorised by the Minister to exercise such powers of arrest. We also will be strengthening our levers to safeguard our population against the importation of disease. Global connectivity in modern times can facilitate the spread and migration of diseases. Outbreaks in one country can spread rapidly to the rest of the world. We saw that for COVID-19 and SARS. Given that Singapore is an international trade and travel hub, we remain vulnerable to the importation of emerging infectious diseases and must take the necessary precautions. Many would be familiar with the concept of pre-departure testing and mask-wearing on international flights implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures were implemented through sectoral levers. As circumstances may differ in future outbreaks, clause 27 of the Bill introduces new provisions to empower the Minister to specify pre-departure or onboard health requirements which persons travelling to Singapore are required to comply with. Upon arrival, travellers may also be required to produce proof of their compliance with any pre-departure health requirement. Non-compliance with any of these requirements can give rise to an offence. Clause 27 of the Bill will provide us with the ability to impose such requirements uniformly and to take firm action against incoming travellers who do not comply with them.”
“The second new group are employees of prescribed service providers that the Government or statutory bodies have engaged. These could include call centres engaged to do contact tracing. The third group are auxiliary police officers. These three groups were in fact closest to the action during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be the first sources of manpower MOH will tap on, especially during an escalating outbreak. As public sector resources will be stretched further during a PHT or PHE, there may be a need to bring together additional manpower to supplement and support these Health Officers. Clause 22 introduces a new section 21I of the Bill, which will allow persons who are deemed suitable to be appointed as adjunct Health Officers during a PHT or PHE, to perform the functions of a Health Officer. These persons could include volunteers, such as former nurses, who have stepped forward to help with contact tracing and surveillance. To ensure proper oversight over these Health Officers and adjunct Health Officers, they will need to be appointed and authorised with powers on an as-needed basis. They will also be informed of the scope of their powers and the validity period of their appointments and receive appropriate training before being tasked to carry out their functions under the IDA. The IDA also provides for specific situations where the arrest of offenders may be carried out by authorised Health Officers without a warrant, such as the arrest of persons who breach isolation orders. MOH recognises that the power of arrest is a serious one which should only be exercised by persons who are trained to do so.”
“Besides incorporating the relevant powers under Part 7 of the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) Act and providing a gradation of responses under the IDA, MOH has also taken this opportunity to review and update the IDA in its entirety. The COVID-19 pandemic has required us to adopt new ways to prevent, mitigate and manage infectious disease outbreaks. Advancements in scientific technology and ever-growing international connectivity have demonstrated the need for a new paradigm of infectious disease management measures to fit the modern times. Let me start with the appointment of officers who need to carry out the public health actions. Public health actions under the IDA are mainly carried out by the Health Officers appointed by the Director-General of Health, the Director-General of Public Health, or the Director-General, Food Administration. As the powers exercisable under the IDA may potentially be intrusive, only public officers, officers of statutory bodies and employees of prescribed institutions, may currently be appointed as Health Officers. However, manpower from the public service forms a relatively smaller portion of the local workforce. When faced with a pandemic, there is often the need to tap on the rest of the workforce to supplement the national response. With diverse partnerships or working arrangements, less intrusive functions can be performed by other parties in partnership with the public service. Clause 4 of the Bill thus expands the pool of people who can be appointed as Health Officers to implement and enforce the IDA. The first new group of persons are employees of prescribed entities and institutions. These will include employees of private healthcare providers and MOH-linked entities such as MOH Holdings and the Agency for Integrated Care.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, as mentioned by the Minister for Health, a key intent behind the amendments to the IDA is to introduce powers that provide for a gradation of measures that can be taken during a PHT and a PHE. Besides the Minister's powers to make regulations during a PHT or PHE, the following amendments are also being introduced to enhance operational and enforcement efficiency during a PHT or PHE. One, the Minister may direct all persons or any class of persons in charge of premises, such as the owners of shopping malls, to implement contact tracing or surveillance measures. Two, oral directions may be given by authorised Health Officers to require persons to comply with the relevant PHT or PHE regulations in force. For example, if there is a regulation that imposes limits on the size of gatherings and a Health Officer comes across a gathering that exceeds this limit, the Health Officer may give an oral direction to the group requiring them to disperse. Three, a higher maximum penalty can be provided for repeat offenders who do not comply with PHT or PHE regulations. The effectiveness of disease containment efforts is contingent on the public's cooperation in taking public health measures seriously. Non-compliance does not only put oneself at risk of disease, but also others in the community and can set our national efforts back significantly. Four, to focus our resources on the pandemic response, statutory appeals to the Minister will be temporarily suspended during a PHT and PHE. Members of the public will still be able to reach out to MOH to seek exceptional handling on a case-by-case basis, and MOH will attend to these quickly and administratively. These amendments will allow the expeditious implementation of public health measures during a PHT or PHE.”
“Generally, it is not advisable to compare individual medical procedure costs across jurisdictions. Quality, labour market conditions, model of care and protocols can be different. While one treatment may be less costly in a foreign country compared to Singapore, there may be other treatments where Singapore is more affordable than the same foreign country. Ultimately, we have to moderate healthcare costs through a holistic approach, including value-based care, developing fee benchmarks, instil discipline in insurance, rely on cost effective treatment and focusing on preventive care and population health.”
“As I have explained, there are two parts to it. One, is that we will issue RFPs and the other part is direct allocation, depending on whether that particular provider has track record within the space. So, the process remains fair. If there is an RFP in that space and there is no direct allocation, then the terms of what is expected is all set out. It is open to anyone to apply to be an operator in that space. So, I hope that addresses the Member's question.”
“Mr Speaker, we aim to increase the number of Active Ageing Centres (AACs) from the current 157 to around 220 AACs by 2025. As we expand the AAC network, providers will be appointed via a Request-for-Proposal (RFP) process assessed based on merit, taking into account the proposed operating model, track record and financial viability. To ensure continuity and minimise disruption to seniors, we will also consider directly appointing providers who already have an established local presence and good track record in engaging or serving residents living in the area. In general, demand for social services, including AACs, is expanding quickly and will likely outstrip the capacity of providers. By taking this dual pronged approach, we hope to evolve a fair, transparent yet flexible appointment system that addresses the concerns of all operators and meet the needs of residents.”
“Chairman, there are many grassroots leaders in Bukit Batok East who are seniors and I am often inspired and heartened by their energy and commitment. One of them is Judy Leong, an 82-year-old lady who has been a volunteer for about 35 years. Judy lives alone as her husband had passed away some years ago and she does not have any children. But Judy's life is full, as she spends her days engaging with residents and helping out at various community events. I want to be like Judy when I am older. We are all cognisant of the issues relating to ageing in Singapore. We know that mental and social well-being are important and that we need to actively engage seniors so they are not socially isolated. One meaningful way to do so is to encourage volunteerism. I note that there have been efforts in place like partnerships with organisations like RSVP. In some spaces, we are also seeing an increase in the number of senior volunteers. Last year, CNA reported that Lions Befriender Service Association saw the number of their senior volunteers increased by four times from 2021 to 2022. RSVP was also reported to see a 30% increase. While there are positive news, we should continue to build a culture such that people want to volunteer after they have retired or when they reach their silver years. We should have a deeper understanding of the current demography. For example, we are looking at younger seniors who are more educated or tech-savvy. Look at what opportunities interest them and put in place a more structured approach to create more avenues of participation. I hope to hear the Ministry's plans on encouraging senior volunteerism.”
“Chairman, last weekend, Jurong GRC and M³@Jurong organised a flash mentoring programme for students who had just received their "A" level results. We collaborated with MENDAKI and SINDA which recommended some of their accomplished volunteers to be mentors. Some were students from law school or awaiting entry into Cambridge; some were young professionals but all so eager to share their insights with our youths. The programme, known as School of Day 1, was coordinated by Mohammad Matin Mohdari. Matin and the mentors worked hard to curate a meaningful session where difficult topics were broken down to actionable steps. I am certain the participants took away very useful learning points. I am a great believer in mentoring and programmes like School of Day 1 serve to connect youths with a network of support and access to information that could help them navigate their paths ahead. I am, therefore, very supportive of Mentoring SG and its efforts in promoting a mentoring culture and making it accessible to youths through the community-driven digital platform Mentoring SG Connect. I note that there are also efforts to build the capability of mentors. I would like to learn from the Ministry about the latest initiatives that have been done to further promote mentoring. What has been the outcome of all the efforts thus far? In particular, how successful has Mentoring SG been in providing mentoring opportunities to the youths? I also feel that it is important to work with people and organisations in the community. Has there been meaningful collaboration with the stakeholders in the community and corporate partners in this endeavour? Growing Philanthropy”
“There are many ways we can contribute in our different capacities, whether through pledging to the WMS, committing our time and effort as volunteers and mentors or even as a corporate partner. I hope that many more of us will step forward to join this noble cause to uplift our Malay/Muslim community.”
“For example, the Singapore Muslim Women's Association, or PPIS, provide support for Malay/Muslim women. Indeed, MMOs play a key role at the community and national level, and we are happy to have more MMOs and partners come alongside us to support our families and community. We thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for his suggestions on areas where volunteers can make a difference. Allow me to share some of the volunteer opportunities within M3 that suit the interests and skillsets of those who wish to contribute. Our tertiary students can join the #amPowered programme as mentors for MTS students, or the "Cool Yah" programme at the M3@Towns. If you are a working professional, you can contribute your knowledge and experience as mentors or speakers for M3 youth mentoring programmes, or support other professionals through MENDAKI's Professional Networks. Those who want to contribute towards supporting children or vulnerable families can sign up as facilitators for our KMM initiative or as Project DIAN Ambassadors. Starting this year, our corporate partners are also invited to collaborate with M3 to cultivate a culture of giving in your organisations, where interested staff can serve as volunteers at our M3@Towns as part of their work hours. I strongly urge my fellow Members to share these volunteer opportunities with your respective constituencies. M3 will also be conducting volunteer recruitment drives throughout this year, and those who are interested can sign up via the M3 website or our socials. (In English): A culture of contribution, driven by active citizenry underpins the spirit of M3. Everyone of us has a stake in ensuring that we continue to thrive as a Community of Success.”
“Our volunteers comprise professionals from different fields who have been instrumental in the delivery of programmes at our M3@Towns – from initiating new programmes and befriending vulnerable families to connecting them with social assistance programmes. Therefore, we continue to ensure volunteers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to engage the community effectively. Last year, we enhanced our Volunteers' Capability Building Framework with the M3 Seminar Series. This year, the M3 Engagement Coordination Office, or M3 ECO, and PA MESRA will work with the National Community Leadership Institute to organise workshops for volunteers. Through such workshops, they will learn to engage residents more meaningfully during house visits. The volunteers will also be able to increase their understanding of services at the national level, and therefore, help them to support residents in building strong and resilient families. For example, through Project DIAN, volunteers will provide holistic support for Malay/Muslim families residing in rental flats. They will also journey with these families to better understand their needs and connect them to the relevant services. One such volunteer is Mdm Eryannie Mohamad, a Project DIAN Ambassador from M3@Geylang Serai who was motivated to encourage parents to take greater interest in early childhood development. In November 2023, Mdm Eryannie and her fellow volunteers collaborated with MSR Interior Design to refurnish and repaint a beneficiary's home to provide a more conducive environment for their children's learning and family bonding. It is also important for M3 to work closely with MMOs to deal with issues that may require a nuanced approach.”
“Through Saham Kesihatan, they can receive support from M3 agencies, like PA MESRA and the Health Promotion Board, to implement programmes on health, including for mental well-being. Last year, over 500 participants took part in Saham Kesihatan programmes. They gave feedback that they enjoyed being part of a community which fosters a strong sense of support for one another to lead healthy lifestyles. This year, we aim to double the reach to benefit 1,000 participants. To achieve this target, I invite more individuals, like Mr Iylia, to leverage on Saham Kesihatan, to bring health programmes to our Malay/Muslim community. Besides Saham Kesihatan, M3 agencies also work with HPB and the Jaga Kesihatan Jaga Ummah, or JKJU, network, where members regularly collaborate on initiatives that encourage healthier habits. In 2023, over 40,000 residents benefitted from JKJU programmes. We can expect more JKJU programmes at the M3@Towns throughout this year. Through JKJU and Saham Kesihatan, our Malay/Muslim community also contributes to the national Healthier SG campaign which aims to help all Singaporeans take ownership of their health. I hope we will embrace this responsibility towards our health as we strive for a meaningful future together. In looking to the future, we also take stock of how far we have come. Dr Syed Harun asked whether M3 initiatives have led to improvements in community engagement. Since its formation five years ago, M3 has developed structures and built networks for us to help the community more effectively, including the vulnerable. With this framework in place, we need more volunteers to step up and help make M3 initiatives a success.”
“Our youth mentors also join me and my fellow Malay/Muslim Members of Parliament including Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Ms Nadia Samdin and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim in the YOUth@M3 Engagement sessions, and various M3@Town programmes. These include Youth Edge for vulnerable youth which Ms Mariam Jaafar advises, the Youth Network Mental Health Townhall that Dr Wan Rizal champions and learning journeys to STEM companies that Mr Sharael Taha organises. I hope our youth mentors continue to inspire others to join our mentoring community in supporting others to realise their aspirations. Chairman, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Health is a blessing and we have a responsibility to take ownership of it. Leading healthy lifestyles also enables us to be active citizens in our community. One good role model who takes care of his health is Mr Iylia Shukor. He actively encourages our Malay/Muslim community to adopt a healthy lifestyle by organising health programmes for them. When the fifth focus area of M3 was introduced last year, Mr Iylia tapped on the Saham Kesihatan programme to collaborate with more community partners. He has since organised monthly five kilometres brisk walking events with Kembangan Chai-Chee Community Centre, Braddell Heights Constituency Office, Wisma Geylang Serai and Kassim Mosque, as well as Qigong sessions at community centres in M3@Geylang Serai. Dr Wan Rizal asked how M3 initiatives spur efforts to take charge of our community’s health. Volunteers like Mr Iylia show how Saham Kesihatan can empower the Malay/Muslim community to drive their own health programmes.”
“One new mentoring programme we will be introducing at our M3@Towns, as well as mosques and Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) is "Cool Yah Conversations". It adopts the concept of flash mentoring, a first of its kind approach in our mentoring programmes. Flash mentoring takes place over a shorter period and will combine interest-based activities like sports and games with impactful mentoring interactions in areas of personal development, educational transition, and career guidance. We hope that it will resonate with youths and lower barriers for them to get involved. Through this programme, we aim to reach 1,000 youths within a year, over and above the youths who will be engaged through our existing mentoring programmes under YMO. To Mr Sharael Taha's query, beyond mentoring programmes, MENDAKI also offers their Future Ready programmes which help youth better understand the changing work landscape and provide avenues for them to explore jobs in growth industries. Key to the success of these programmes are our passionate and dedicated youth mentors. Most have benefited from MENDAKI's many initiatives and now find ways to give back to the community. One of them is Arinna Fithriyya Ridzuan. In 2019, Arinna received MENDAKI's Special Achievement Award for Excellence and Anugerah Cemerlang MENDAKI. Today, she works at the National Youth Council and has been a mentor to Nur Odelia Mohamed Azme since Odelia's second year of studies at ITE College Central through the #amPowered@ITE programme. With Arinna's support, Odelia learnt to build self-confidence and take charge of her personal development. Odelia is now working with MENDAKI's Care Advisors to explore potential post-tertiary pathways.”
“Mr Chairman, over the last five years, we have worked hand-in-hand with our Malay/Muslim organisations to build up the M3 network. The structures we have in place have enabled us to deal head on with various needs of our community, while complementing the Government's efforts at the national level. A sense of Citizenry has been at the heart of what M3 has accomplished so far. Entrenched within it is the culture of giving which will continue to be integral to our Community of Success. We have established a strong foundation for contribution through M3. I will share three ways we can build on this legacy: first, equipping our youth for the future; second, empowering our community to take ownership of their health; and third, encouraging more volunteers to step forward and play a part. Mentoring is important as it guides our youths to realise their potential. It can also be transformative when those who have benefited from the experience, pass it on, creating a virtuous cycle of giving. To create a thriving mentoring culture in the Malay/Muslim community, we set up the Youth Mentoring Office, or YMO under MENDAKI, in 2019. Since then, YMO has trained and deployed over 1,600 mentors to support more than 5,700 mentees through various mentoring programmes under M3's Focus Area 3. Mr Sharael Taha asked how we ensure the continued relevance of our mentoring programmes. We conducted youth mentoring programmes in four M3@Towns at Jurong, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Tampines, and Woodlands last year, and will now be refreshing our approach to bring mentoring programmes closer to more youths. By the end of this year, we will offer at least one youth mentoring programme at each of our 11 M3@Towns.”
“As SG Enable continues in its efforts in the future, could it consider how best to leverage on partnerships and better utilise resources within the community to close the gaps? Integrating Persons with Special Needs”
“I heard with interest when Member Ms Denise Phua spoke about fostering a more robust ecosystem of partnership in her speech during the Budget debate a few weeks ago. This is very much in line with the spirit of Budget 2024, to build our shared future together. She shared about a grounds-up effort in her Kampung Glam division known as Purple Hearts, a special needs family network, where volunteers reach out to the families and seek to match the needs with resources in different agencies. I will certainly take up the offer to learn from her and see how I can replicate this in Bukit Batok East. In Bukit Batok East, we have our BBE Inclusive Family Day, where we bring together different agencies and partners to showcase their services and support to the special needs community and use that platform to edify the larger community about our friends who are differently abled. I believe strongly that it is important to nurture partnerships and understanding within our local communities in the heartlands. We should create more opportunities to build these ground networks as part of SG Enable's larger vision to support inclusiveness. In Member Denise Phua's speech, she also made a strong call for the Government to take a better lead in bringing partners together to amongst other things, understand the gaps in the landscape and facilitate more meaningful allocation of resources and effective contribution. This resonated with me. I would like to draw inspiration from her sharing and seek an understanding from the Ministry if there have been efforts in place to take stock of and review the existing structures and frameworks within the special needs ecosystem.”
“Chairman, SG Enable was formed with the noble vision of being the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore and it has been critical in the implementation of the Enabling Masterplans. Individuals with special needs and their families, see SG Enable as a one-stop centre, where they can seek support and resources to address the issues they may face. Over the years, various infrastructure and programmes for the special needs community had been developed under the auspices of SG Enable. This includes the job placement programme and the caregiver support programme as well as the Enabling Services Hub in Tampines and the Enabling Business Hub in Jurong. It is very heartening to see these endeavours. The needs of the special needs community are, however, very diverse. Understandably, it would be challenging to fulfil and address all requests and issues. I can imagine there are various situations that come to the attention of SG Enable including requests for financial support for assistive devices, requests for placements in SPED schools or programmes, or requests for support with caregiving arrangements. Could I understand if there are limitations or challenges the agency faces in supporting the families especially if the resources are not available within the ecosystem? Further, has there been an assessment of the sufficiency of support provided to the special needs community and the effectiveness of the services and programmes offered by SG Enable? I believe it would be imperative to understand the gaps to be able to further enhance its services. SG Enable has also been working with many different partners to come up with a myriad of services. What more can be done to strengthen these relationships to be able to support the work done by the agency?”
“Thank you, I thank the Member for the question. It is unprecedented with regard to our health policy. While we note that this is something that is being done elsewhere, we are monitoring. The effectiveness of elective egg freezing is not really something that has been proven. We are looking at the data from abroad and we see that the take-up rate from overseas is also very low. Also, even if it is taken up, there is also evidence that suggests that the outcomes necessarily may not be very good. So, these are some of the considerations that we take into account. But when I meant unprecedented, it is unprecedented within our healthcare policy.”
“With regard to the Member's question, I note his point and actually beyond just the CTGTP, we are also looking at the effectiveness of treatments that are not in that field. I take the Member's point, and I think this is something we can consider and look at, as we are engaging with the pharmaceutical companies.”
“Having said that, I think this is something that we will continue to look at and see, where appropriate, we can continue to enhance.”
“I thank the Member for the questions. Firstly, on the issue of the tobacco cohort ban, I would just like to clarify again, as I have mentioned in my speech, that it is not as though nothing is being done at this juncture or there are no improvements or efforts with regard to our efforts against tobacco. As you can see from the results and the outcomes, we are doing quite well as compared to other places. In deciding what are some of the measures and approaches that we take, we really have to look at things in totality. We take a multi-pronged approach. We looked at taxes, we looked at standardised packaging, we increased the minimum legal age; and this has actually to a large extent, shown very good results. On the other hand, as we are assessing the tobacco cohort ban, we are looking at the outcomes in other places and it may not necessarily generate the same outcome that we want. So, I think it will take some time for us to assess whether there are other measures that are going to change this. And on that front, there are some more salient points or more imperative issues that we need to deal with, with regard to vaping for example. So, we do need to focus our energies in dealing with some of those emergent issues. Your second question related to the support for the PwDs, I appreciate the point and I can understand. In fact, this is something I also raised with other Ministries, in terms of support for PwDs. We do really have to look at appropriate circumstances. At the moment, a lot of the support that we have given, we have looked at enhancing as it goes along. And I can say, as a general principle, if there are specific issues of families who need help, we have our tiered-support system where they can definitely get the help they need.”
“Mr Chairman, I have shared about broad efforts to support Singaporeans in adopting healthier lifestyles. I have also shared about the targeted support for the ethnic minority groups and ensuring affordability for those who need it more, so that all Singaporeans can achieve better health and access care that they need. Our efforts can only succeed with the strong participation of Singaporeans and support from families and the community. We are heartened that many have stepped up and made choices to lead a healthier lifestyle today, such as those who have enrolled in Healthier SG, made the switch to healthier eating, participated in healthy programmes and activities. Let us choose better health for ourselves and our loved ones today.”
“This offers more targeted support for those with needs, while safeguarding MediSave to ensure it remains adequate for other needs and keeping Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rates reasonable for all. Co-funding also applies to those who are undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) at public assisted reproduction centres. These public centres currently have sufficient capacity, with utilisation rates of about 61%. Currently, you can get an appointment at our public assisted reproduction centres for a first consult within a week, if you are open to seeing any of our IVF specialists. To Mr Louis Ng's suggestion, we do not advise couples to switch providers after failed IVF cycles as it breaks the doctor-patient relationship, and may result in additional cost and time from repeated investigations and assessments. The outcomes of IVF treatments at private and public assisted reproduction centres are also comparable. Nonetheless, we recognise that some couples may prefer seeking treatment at private centres and are reviewing whether to extend co-funding to these settings. To Ms Hazel Poa's ask for financial support for egg freezing, married women will be able to tap on co-funding and their MediSave when using their frozen eggs for assisted reproduction treatment. This is to support couples who have decided to have a child, but may face challenges in conceiving. We recognise the desire for women to freeze their eggs when they are young. It is a pre-emptive step, perhaps not different from buying private insurance. Providing financial support for it will be quite unprecedented in healthcare policy. We think it is better to focus our resources to directly help couples who are trying to conceive and who face difficulties.”
“In general, healthcare subsidies are not based on specific conditions and are instead tiered based on income level, to target those who need more help. Fourth, to Mr Ong Hua Han's question on the support for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, there are a few treatments available currently, including drugs and a CTGTP. We are reviewing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of these treatments and are engaging pharmaceutical companies to achieve reasonable prices. As the Minister mentioned, the MediShield Life Council is considering extending coverage to eligible CTGTPs and studying the safeguards needed to ensure that any such extension is sustainable. In the interim, those who face concerns may apply for discretionary funding support through MediFund or the Rare Disease Fund. Lastly, a few Members have also asked about the support that is provided for those who are planning for a family. There are a few considerations that guide our approach in designing the financing schemes to better support this group of Singaporeans. These include clinical safety and effectiveness of fertility tests and treatments, ensuring affordability for those who need it and keeping our financing schemes sustainable. We have answered Mr Louis Ng's question on support for fertility screening previously. Fertility tests are offered to couples who are medically indicated as there is currently no evidence to support the need for early fertility checks for the general population. At our public specialist outpatient clinics, these couples can enjoy subsidies of up to 70% for their fertility tests. Those who face financial difficulties can also apply for MediFund for assistance.”
“While tapping on other organisations could improve convenience of applying MediFund for some patients, it introduces an additional layer in the process and, therefore, needs to be studied further to avoid lengthening the application process inadvertently. 12.45 pm As for the Migrant Domestic Worker Levy Concession, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) remain a relevant basis for purposes of assessing these applications. Frail patients with multiple conditions, or those at end-of-life, tend to require some assistance with at least one ADL and would qualify for the concession. Exceptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We will continue to review the adequacy of financing schemes to support caregivers and their seniors. Regarding the case raised by Dr Tan, Dr Tan would be aware of the correspondences together by the AIC and Ms See. There was a positive outcome after she was re-engaged by AIC. Unfortunately, there was an earlier miscommunication where AIC was led to believe that Ms See's cousin was the employer of the migrant domestic worker when it was, in fact, Ms See. She eventually qualified for and received the concession and Home Caregiving Grant, both backdated to when she qualified. Third, to Mr Gerald Giam's question, we support the needs of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and persons with special needs through various financing schemes, including subsidies, national insurance schemes, MediSave, grants and safety nets, such as MediFund. We have recently enhanced some of these schemes. For example, in 2023, the payouts under the Home Caregiving Grant were increased, from $200, to up to $400 per month to further reduce caregiving costs.”
“First, at the earlier Budget debate, Ms Jessica Tan requested clarifications on our means-testing criteria for long-term care subsidies. These subsidies are means-tested using per capita household income (PCHI) and Annual Value (AV) of residence to ensure that subsidies are targeted at those who need it more. While these are not perfect proxies, they are the best available to measure an individual's means and family support, and only a small minority of long-term care clients do not qualify for subsidies because of the AV criterion. To ensure that those with greater needs receive continued support, the Government recently raised the PCHI and AV thresholds for all means-tested social support schemes and grants. Seniors who face difficulties paying for their long-term care expenses may apply for the discretionary financial assistance. Second, Dr Tan Wu Meng has made two suggestions on empowering more organisations to assist with MediFund applications and taking a holistic approach to Migrant Domestic Worker Levy Concession applications. We agree with the intent to smoothen help-seeking processes for needy patients. This is why, today, Singaporeans identified by Social Service Offices to receive ComCare assistance automatically receive MediFund assistance at approved healthcare institutions. We have recently introduced guidelines to institutions to allow mutual recognition of MediFund assessments for more types of circumstances. On the ground, institutions have also put in place patient-centric processes and leverage IT platforms to smoothen the application process.”
“Mdm Shamima has been volunteering as a health ambassador since 2011, actively promoting knowledge about health and participating in HPB roadshows. Her fervent desire to motivate others to adopt a healthier lifestyle stemmed from her own transformation through HPB's Lose To Win programme, where she managed to shed about 16 kilogrammes. She has also been actively participating in a variety of physical activities available on the Healthy 365 app, including Zumba, yoga, pilates and kickboxing. You may be wondering how would an active resident, like Mdm Shamima, benefit further from enrolling in Healthier SG? Mdm Shamima decided to enrol in Healthier SG, in order to gain a better idea of her health, so that she can make the right decisions for herself. Through her first Health Plan consultation with her family doctor, she is now more aware about her food intake and the importance of taking her medication on time, so that she can better manage her sugar levels. Through the regular follow-up consultations scheduled, her family doctor can provide her with guidance and encouragement to lead a healthier lifestyle. I would like to continue encouraging everyone to step up to take charge of your health, like Mdm Shamima, by enrolling in Healthier SG today. FA5 will continue efforts to address key health issues in the Malay/Muslim community, such as screening, smoking and mental well-being, as Dr Wan Rizal mentioned. We will adopt a suitable approach for the Malay/Muslim community to achieve a more effective outcome. (In English): Another dimension of providing targeted support is ensuring affordability, particularly for those who need it more. We thank Members for your questions on how we are doing so.”
“Allow me to move on to talk about how we have strengthened targeted support as well. To Dr Wan Rizal's question, we have kept up the momentum of our efforts to support ethnic minority groups to lead healthier lifestyles. I am encouraged to share that with the strong support from community leaders and organisations, over 40,000 Malay/Muslim residents and over 32,000 Indian residents participated in healthy living programmes encompassing physical activities, health talks and Saham Kesihatan programmes, as well as healthier groceries distribution during the festive periods of Ramadan, Hari Raya and Deepavali, in 2023. With the roll-out of Healthier SG, in the Indian community, we have also partnered SINDA to set up a Health Task Force, comprising members from private and public healthcare institutions and other health-related organisations. The Health Task Force will strengthen efforts to encourage Healthier SG enrolment among the Indian community to supplement HPB's existing collaborations with the Hindu Endowment Board, Sikh Welfare Association, among other partners. Mr Chairman, please allow me to say a few words in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In our Malay/Muslim community, we have recently introduced a focus area, which is FA5, "A Healthy Community for All". This effort aims to promote healthier lifestyles and empower individuals and groups to organise and scale up community-led initiatives. One key emphasis of FA5 is encouraging enrolment in Healthier SG in the Malay/Muslim community. For those who are still contemplating whether to enrol or not, I would like to share how Healthier SG can be the next step in your preventive care journey.”
“In addition, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) continue to refer cases to HSA, when detected in the course of their duties. In schools and IHLs, MOE continues to take a firm stance against vaping and strengthen detection and enforcement efforts. Schools and IHLs take disciplinary actions against students caught using or possessing e-vaporisers, including suspension, or caning for boys in schools, and refer them to HSA for penalties under the law. We have also strengthened efforts on the education front to increase awareness about the harms and illegality of vaping. In 2023, HPB launched a vape-free campaign targeted at youths and younger adults. In schools, HPB has shared these messages with close to 90,000 students. Parents, who are important stakeholders in this effort, are also kept up to date on the harms and illegality of vaping through advisories and resources available on Parent Hub. We will continue to support those who smoke or vape to quit. Cessation programmes are accessible across various settings, including healthcare institutions, workplaces, uniformed services, education institutions and in the community, through initiatives, such as HPB's "I Quit" programme and Healthier SG. In 2023, HPB supported 4,700 adults and 2,300 children and youths in their quit journey. I strongly urge all who are smoking or vaping to seek advice from a healthcare professional and quit as soon as possible. Those with family or friends who smoke or vape should also encourage them to lead a nicotine-free lifestyle. Even while we step up enforcement and education efforts, we will be reviewing the legal penalties to ensure a strong deterrence against vaping and related offences.”
“As several Members and Singaporeans have raised, the emerging and urgent issue, is vaping. There is a growing body of evidence that e-vaporisers are harmful, as they contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance, that can also harm the developing brains of youths. The cancer-causing chemicals and other toxic substances in e-vaporisers also increase the risk of heart and lung diseases. To Mr Ang and Dr Wan Rizal's questions, vaping is a multi-faceted issue and requires coordinated whole-of-Government efforts to tackle. MOH, along with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the HPB, take a serious view on vaping. The public can access information on the prohibition of e-vaporisers and its health harms across HSA and HPB's websites. We have worked across Ministries and agencies to step up enforcement and education measures, to protect our population and prevent e-vaporisers from taking hold in Singapore. Upstream, all sales and advertisements of e-vaporisers are prohibited under the law, in Singapore. Digital platform owners are expected to proactively moderate content by detecting and removing sales and advertisements of e-vaporisers. We will continue to work with the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to engage platform owners. At the borders, HSA has worked with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on a series of joint operations at Changi Airport, Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints, and will continue to collaborate on a regular basis. In the community, HSA is already working with agencies, such as the National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Parks Board (NParks), which have stepped up, and will continue to step up enforcement checks at public places.”
“When dining out, ask for less gravy and sauces and avoid drinking all the soup in soup-based dishes. Access a myriad of physical activities on the Healthy 365 app and participate in those of your liking. Another health risk is smoking. Mr Gerald Giam asked about a Tobacco Cohort Ban. The idea has been raised by several Members in the past. Our focus is on protecting public health and we do not rule out any measure that would help us achieve that effectively. As Mr Giam pointed out, New Zealand had reversed their initial plans to implement a Tobacco Cohort Ban. A salient point to note here is that New Zealand allows vaping and was prepared for people to switch from smoking to vaping. Similarly, Malaysia recently reversed their decision. That leaves the UK, and we will monitor closely how they intend to implement the ban. For a Tobacco Cohort Ban to be effective, we need to consider various implementation issues. For example, can someone older buy cigarettes for someone younger who is affected by the ban? If not, how should we go about enforcing? Does the ban apply to tourists? Mr Giam mentioned that gains from existing measures have diminutive impact. That is not the case. We have made good progress in reducing smoking prevalence in Singapore. Our recent efforts include the Standardised Packaging measures, raising the Minimum Legal Age of smoking to 21 years old and raising tobacco taxes by 15% last year. Cessation support is also strengthened through Healthier SG. These efforts have continued to suppress smoking prevalence and we have achieved an all-time low of 9.2% in 2022. And it is still declining. Hence, even as we study the feasibility of a Tobacco Cohort Ban, we will continue efforts to reduce smoking prevalence.”
“In 2023, we also exceeded our national target of bringing 4,000 new nurses into our workforce and, with that, we can expect the situation on the ground to improve. Additionally, we announced our tripartite framework on the prevention of abuse and harassment of healthcare workers and, in the coming year, we will be putting out additional publicity to raise awareness. I will now talk about our efforts to support Singaporeans to achieve healthier lifestyles. We have supported Singaporeans in adopting healthier diets and an active lifestyle through various initiatives over the years. For example, we have introduced easy-to-use symbols and labels to help Singaporeans identify healthier products, and ensured access to healthier and affordable ingredients through the Healthier Ingredient Development Scheme. A wide range of physical activities have also been provided island-wide. We are starting to see positive results from these efforts. The National Nutrition Survey 2022 revealed that average daily sugar intake has decreased and more Singaporeans were meeting the recommended sugar limit. Participation rates in exercise programmes have also increased. Despite these, we must remain vigilant about other health trends. Based on the National Nutrition Survey, Singaporeans are eating more and 90% have exceeded the recommended daily limit of two grams of sodium. The National Population Health Survey 2022 also showed that the prevalence of obesity has continued to increase, from 8.6% in 2013, to 10.5% in 2020, and 11.6% in 2022. We can make small shifts to incorporate healthier habits in our lives. Continue to use the suite of user-friendly symbols and labels to make healthier purchases. Plan, monitor and moderate calorie intake using the Meal Log tool on the Healthy 365 app.”
“For example, starting salaries for nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists were increased by up to 12% in 2023. We have done the same for the community care sector with the recent salary guidelines to keep salaries competitive and provide greater transparency to jobseekers and workers in the sector. These guidelines will be reviewed regularly to ensure that they are up-to-date. We hope that the guidelines will help attract and retain workers across all job groups, including support staff. We will continue to provide funding to community care organisations and PHIs to support them in keeping their salaries competitive. I also stressed the importance of ensuring the well-being of our healthcare workers. I thank Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Louis Ng for their concern on workload of junior doctors and rest time for nurses. We are working with clusters on measures to support the welfare and well-being of healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses. For doctors, this will include clearer work hour guidelines, reviews on work processes to improve efficiency and workload balancing and to enhance support for staff. As the context differs from healthcare institutions, these changes may take time to effect. On ensuring sufficient rest for nurses, our healthcare clusters no longer actively roster nurses on the PAPA shift pattern. However, this may happen occasionally when there are operational exigencies, such as when there is unplanned absence amongst staff and the ward needs to ensure the appropriate skills mix amongst nurses on duty to ensure patient safety. When this happens, measures are in place to support affected nurses, such as by rostering them on shorter shifts that week and allowing flexibility for swaps.”
“Mr Chairman, let me begin with healthcare manpower. Dr Syed Harun has rightly pointed out that healthcare manpower needs to keep pace with the growing demand for healthcare. We factor in population needs into the planning of our healthcare manpower. Over the last 10 years, we grew our healthcare manpower by about 40% and increased our local healthcare student intakes at our IHLs by a similar margin, translating to a combined intake of 3,600 healthcare students in 2023. We will continue to grow our healthcare workforce sustainably, while moderating demand through innovative ways of delivering care. To this end, we will continue to work with public healthcare institutions (PHIs) and the community care sector to attract and retain manpower across the board. For nurses, we announced the Award for Nurses' Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (ANGEL) scheme last month. This would allow us to improve the attractiveness of the profession and retain the nurses we have. We are engaging Allied Health Professionals to better understand their needs and to co-create the vision for their professions, with a view to come up with a National Allied Health Strategy. We are working on the PharmForce initiative to look into manpower development, shaping pharmacy practice to meet population needs, promoting wellness and building resilience of our pharmacy workforce and increasing visibility and recognition for the profession. Operations and support staff play important roles in our public healthcare system. Our healthcare clusters have embarked on job redesign initiatives to enhance the career value proposition and better attract and retain them. Across the board, PHIs will continue to keep salaries competitive.”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 2024/2025 and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Chairman, may I seek your consent to move "That progress be reported now and leave be asked to sit again tomorrow"?”
“Mr Speaker, the question has been addressed by the written reply to Question No 8 for Oral answer on 4 March 2024. I invite the Member to seek clarification, if need be. [Please refer to "Inclusion of Inflation-adjusted Metric to Payouts in Scheme to Retain Nurses", Official Report, 4 March 2024, Vol 95, Issue 129, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section.]”
“Chairman, foreigners and tourists often speak of Singapore as a clean city-state. This is a reputation we want to maintain. We also want to ensure our residents live well in a clean and healthy environment. We have been able to achieve this so far due to the hard work of our cleaners. There are also meaningful initiatives, like the ones led by our Public Hygiene Council. However, as locals, we know there are some challenges. According to a study conducted by SMU, also quoted by other Members, more than 66% of Singaporeans said public toilets in hawker centres and coffee shops either remain as dirty as they were three years ago or "have become much dirtier". In April 2023, in SMU’s Public Cleanliness Satisfaction Survey, 90% of respondents acknowledged that Singapore is clean only because of the efficiency of its cleaning services and 77% of respondents believe that it is the Government’s responsibility to keep Singapore clean. Indeed, it can be difficult to keep certain places, like public toilets in hawker centres, clean. We need to create a culture where people take responsibility and participate in the efforts of maintaining hygiene and cleanliness, so that we can truly be a clean city and not a "cleaned" one. We need a whole-of-society approach in tackling this matter. How is MSE working with different agencies and community partners in this endeavour? I also note that NUS and JTC Corporation are supporting trials with autonomous cleaning bots in toilets at industrial parks, hospitals, malls and the airport. How can the Government leverage technological advancements in managing hotspots where cleanliness is an issue? Designated Smoking Areas”
“Chairman, the NTUC U Women and Family and PAP Seniors Group collaborated recently to conduct a survey for Singapore residents above the age of 50 who are currently working. Most of those surveyed were in favour of raising retirement and re-employment ages. Nearly 88% support a retirement age of 63 and above, and around 80% support a re-employment age of 68 and above. The findings also highlighted that concerns relating to negative employer attitudes and age discrimination ranks high at 63.4%. Indeed, these are real concerns among the older workers. PAP Seniors Group has been engaging with many of them. In Bukit Batok East, I also received feedback and appeals from more senior workers who feel that they are not given the job just because of their age. At times, they feel gradually cast aside at work and were eventually asked to leave on the pretext of poor work performance. A lot has been done by the Government to change attitudes, including by giving employers incentives to hire senior workers and supporting the redesign of jobs. Could the Ministry share some of the latest efforts and plans to continue building a conducive environment for seniors to participate in the workforce? We should leverage on the voices of advocates who care about the plight of older workers. There are also more enlightened employers who have good practices that should be emulated. What more can these employers and community partners like seniors groups do? How can they meaningfully champion the cause and amplify their efforts? Jobs for Seniors”
“Chairman, there is abundant research to show that the early years are critical to a child's development. Quality early childhood education is very important. I am glad, therefore, that the Government had embarked on MOE Kindergartens and created an opportunity to develop a body of knowledge on the best pedagogies and practices for early childhood education. As early childhood education has a significant impact on a child's trajectory, it becomes necessary to intervene early, especially if a child from a family in challenging circumstances is not given the full experience of quality education. Children from low-income families should not be denied an opportunity of education and programmes that could make a difference to their development and future success in life. Early childhood education and development are a key aspect of the strategy in sustaining social mobility. The MOE Kindergarten is, therefore, also an important avenue to provide support for families in the lower-income group. I am, therefore, interested to learn about the plans that MOE Kindergarten has in the future to provide more services or support for low-income families. It is heartening to note that there are meaningful services like Kindergarten Care (KCare) where parents who need full-day services can enrol their children in. I understand there are subsidies for KCare. Would there be plans to enhance the support given to the families in need through further subsidies or programmes?”
“Therefore, there should be fair and attractive salaries and career pathways for those in this profession. The remuneration needs to be commensurate with the demands of the job and there needs to be a stronger effort to entice good people into the sector. Last year, the Ministry announced that teachers in SPED schools can expect higher salaries. MOE also shared that key staff and leaders in SPED schools can also look forward to more avenues for professional development, such as opportunities to reinforce teachers' skills in working with students of different disabilities. This is very welcomed news as it signals an acknowledgement of the importance of the educators in this sector and will certainly go some way in attracting and retaining talent. Hopefully, this will create a larger pool of capable educators who can develop deeper skills on more specific issues and enhance the support for our students with special educational needs. Currently, there are still disparities between the remuneration and employment benefits for the educators in the SPED schools and those in the mainstream schools. Would the planned salary increments address these issues? May I seek details of the salary increments announced and the timeframe for implementation? Apart from financial incentives, an integral part of the move is the professional development. As we enhance the pedagogy and curriculum for students in the mainstream schools, we also need to do likewise for students in the SPED schools. As there are different needs and disabilities, this effort can be a massive task. We therefore need to ensure that we have skilled educators in the SPED schools. I am supportive of the Ministry's efforts on this front and I look forward to the updates. Special Education”
“Another parent who has a child with cerebral palsy had challenges in placing her children in an after-school student care centre. Some parents also lament about the process and time needed to prepare for the application for SPED schools. Some may not have sufficient information or the bandwidth to sort out the necessary arrangements. These are some examples of pain points shared. Has there been an assessment of some of the challenges students of SPED schools and their parents face? It may be helpful to identify how significant and prevalent the challenges are and what more could be done to assist the families. I would like to ask if the Ministry could consider enhancing the support in two aspects: affordability and accessibility? Reduction of the high costs will meaningfully assist the families, to navigate cost-of-living challenges. Accessibility to obtain information or services, like after-school care and therapy programmes that could possibly be placed within the school compounds or vicinity, would go a long way is addressing the families' pain points. Supporting Professionals in SPED Sector Mr Chairman, I have met many educators and officers in the special education sector who are deeply committed to their work. They have different challenges from their counterparts in mainstream schools and typically have to work with many more students who may be less compliant or on occasion aggressive or deal with family situations that are more complex because of health or care arrangements. Regardless of the circumstances, these professionals often take this in their stride and go the extra mile to nurture the students under their care. Because the job can be rather challenging, it would be tough to attract or even retain people in this sector.”
“Chairman, the challenges faced by families of children with special needs are multifaceted. There are emotional, financial, logistical and other struggles that families have to deal with on a daily basis. As a parent of a child with special needs who attends a SPED school, I have had the good fortune of meeting and engaging with different families with similar circumstances. They have given some meaningful insights which I wish to share. It is important to state at the outset that these families care for their special children deeply and find their journey with the children most rewarding and meaningful. They would not have it any other way. However, the difficulties are real and the daily grind can get rather overwhelming. There are certain expenses and considerations that these families have to think about that others do not have to. These may not be the same for all families. Generally, though, there would be medical expenses, cost for assistive devices, cost of therapies, transportation to get to and from medical appointments or therapies or caregiving arrangements. Increased cost of living and demands at work exacerbates the situation. I appreciate that there are already subsidies, tax reliefs and other support in place for these families. The funds in the Child Development Account (CDA) could also be used to pay for a wide variety of services, like early intervention programmes. I would appreciate it though if the Government could review the support given. It would be meaningful if some targeted support could be further extended to alleviate challenges in certain aspects. For the SPED schools, there may be specific areas to look at. In recent times, I received feedback on the increased cost of school bus services from a parent with a child in a SPED school.”
“I will take note of Mr Leong's suggestions, but I do want to also highlight that in your speech you did indicate that there were areas that SLA could look into in improving and you did say that it could do better, suggesting that there were some gaps in the things that have been done. So, that is where I draw reference from. But I do note that things constantly evolve, there may be developments and there may be updates that we can give. So, over time, that is something that we are prepared to do and provide information that is relevant to address concerns that Singaporeans and yourself may have.”
“I note that the Member is really quite pre-occupied with the details and the specifics, and he has repeatedly asked these questions. But I think the point we are making is this. At the end of the day, what is the larger point that is being made? And our concern is the larger assertion that is being made that there is mismanagement, that SLA is not doing its part in ensuring that there is proper utilisation, optimisation of the state assets, state properties. That is something that is more important for us to debunk. The truth is we have given a lot of other facts to show that the market dictates some points like the occupancy rates, vacancy rates. All these are things that we have already highlighted to Mr Leong. We have also explained what are the considerations that SLA takes into account in deciding what to do with the different portfolios, the different state assets and state properties that it has in its bucket. I think there is a distinction between just vulgar curiosity and actually what are the assertions that are being made on this front. And I am really concerned because I think at the end of the day, it has been repeated many times that SLA has not been looking at this thoroughly, has not been managing this well. I think that is something that is most important for us to address. Which is why I have repeatedly explained that the assets have been managed, we have explained how SLA does this, what SLA takes into account in dealing with these matters. And I think it is important for us to understand and reiterate the point that there is optimisation, there is proper management of the state assets and state properties.”