Health care in Singapore
Encyclopedia
Healthcare in Singapore is mainly under the responsibility of the Singapore Government's Ministry of Health
. Singapore generally has an efficient and widespread system of healthcare. Singapore was ranked 6th in the World Health Organization
's ranking of the world's health systems in the year 2000.
Singapore
has a modified universal healthcare system where the government ensures affordability of healthcare within the public health system, largely through a system of compulsory savings, subsidies and price controls. Singapore's system uses a combination of compulsory savings from payroll deductions (funded by both employers and workers) to provide subsidies within a nationalized health insurance plan known as Medisave. Within Medisave, each citizen accumulates funds that are individually tracked, and such funds can be pooled within and across an entire extended family. The vast majority of Singapore citizens have substantial savings in this scheme. One of three levels of subsidy is chosen by the patient at the time of the healthcare episode.
A key principle of Singapore's national health scheme is that no medical service is provided free of charge, regardless of the level of subsidy, even within the public healthcare system. This mechanism is intended to reduce the overutilisation of healthcare services, a phenomenon sometimes seen in fully subsidised universal health insurance systems. Out-of-pocket charges vary considerably for each service and level of subsidy. At the highest level of subsidy, although each out-of-pocket expense is typically small, costs can accumulate and become substantial for patients and families. At the lowest level, the subsidy is in effect nonexistent, and patients are treated like private patients, even within the public system.
The increasingly large private sector provides care to those who are privately insured, foreign patients, or public patients who are able to afford what often amount to very large out-of-pocket payments above the levels provided by government subsidies.
Approximately 70-80% of Singaporeans obtain their medical care within the public health system. Overall government spending on healthcare amounts to only 3-4% of annual GDP, partly because government expenditure on healthcare in the private system is extremely low.
Singapore currently has the lowest infant mortality rate in the world (equaled only by Iceland) and among the highest life expectancies from birth, according to the World Health Organization
.
Singapore has "one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes," according to an analysis by global consulting firm Watson Wyatt
. The government regularly adjusts policies to active regulate "the supply and prices of healthcare services in the country" in an attempt to keep costs in check. However, for the most part the government does not directly regulate the costs of private medical care. These costs are largely subject to market forces, and vary enormously within the private sector, depending on the medical specialty and service provided.
The specific features of the Singapore healthcare system are unique, and have been described as a "very difficult system to replicate in many other countries." Many Singaporeans also have supplemental private health insurance (often provided by employers) for services not covered by the government's programs.
Singapore’s well-established healthcare system comprises a total of 13 private hospitals, 10 public (government) hospitals and several specialist clinics, each specializing in and catering to different patient needs, at varying costs.
Patients are free to choose the providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private clinic or any government polyclinic. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident & Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals.
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well qualified doctors and dentists, many trained overseas.
Singapore has a medical savings account
system known as Medisave
.
is the largest and oldest hospital in Singapore, of which the foundation of its first building was laid in 1821.
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital
is the second largest hospital in Singapore after the Singapore General Hospital, but its accident and emergency department is the busiest in the country largely due to its geographically centralised location. Set up in 1844 by an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tan Tock Seng, the hospital came into the international spotlight when it was designated as the sole treatment centre for the SARS epidemic which struck the country in 2003.
In the 1990s, all public hospitals were "restructured" which means that they have been operated as government-owned corporations rather than the typical model of public hospital
s in other countries. There are two major healthcare groups operating restructured hospitals: SingHealth
and the National Healthcare Group
(NHG). There is also a smaller group linked to the National University of Singapore
called the National University Health System
(NUHS).
in Singapore, the Institute of Mental Health, previously known as Woodbridge Hospital after its old location near a wooden bridge in Yio Chu Kang
. It is now located in Hougang
.
Ministry of Health (Singapore)
The Ministry of Health is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for providing information, raising health awareness and education, ensuring the accessibility of health services, and monitoring the quality of health services provided to citizens and visitors in the Republic of...
. Singapore generally has an efficient and widespread system of healthcare. Singapore was ranked 6th in the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
's ranking of the world's health systems in the year 2000.
Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
has a modified universal healthcare system where the government ensures affordability of healthcare within the public health system, largely through a system of compulsory savings, subsidies and price controls. Singapore's system uses a combination of compulsory savings from payroll deductions (funded by both employers and workers) to provide subsidies within a nationalized health insurance plan known as Medisave. Within Medisave, each citizen accumulates funds that are individually tracked, and such funds can be pooled within and across an entire extended family. The vast majority of Singapore citizens have substantial savings in this scheme. One of three levels of subsidy is chosen by the patient at the time of the healthcare episode.
A key principle of Singapore's national health scheme is that no medical service is provided free of charge, regardless of the level of subsidy, even within the public healthcare system. This mechanism is intended to reduce the overutilisation of healthcare services, a phenomenon sometimes seen in fully subsidised universal health insurance systems. Out-of-pocket charges vary considerably for each service and level of subsidy. At the highest level of subsidy, although each out-of-pocket expense is typically small, costs can accumulate and become substantial for patients and families. At the lowest level, the subsidy is in effect nonexistent, and patients are treated like private patients, even within the public system.
The increasingly large private sector provides care to those who are privately insured, foreign patients, or public patients who are able to afford what often amount to very large out-of-pocket payments above the levels provided by government subsidies.
Approximately 70-80% of Singaporeans obtain their medical care within the public health system. Overall government spending on healthcare amounts to only 3-4% of annual GDP, partly because government expenditure on healthcare in the private system is extremely low.
Singapore currently has the lowest infant mortality rate in the world (equaled only by Iceland) and among the highest life expectancies from birth, according to the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
.
Singapore has "one of the most successful healthcare systems in the world, in terms of both efficiency in financing and the results achieved in community health outcomes," according to an analysis by global consulting firm Watson Wyatt
Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. was a global consulting firm, which merged in January 2010 with Towers Perrin to form Towers Watson. The firm's services included managing the cost and effectiveness of employee benefit programs; developing attraction, retention and reward strategies; advising pension...
. The government regularly adjusts policies to active regulate "the supply and prices of healthcare services in the country" in an attempt to keep costs in check. However, for the most part the government does not directly regulate the costs of private medical care. These costs are largely subject to market forces, and vary enormously within the private sector, depending on the medical specialty and service provided.
The specific features of the Singapore healthcare system are unique, and have been described as a "very difficult system to replicate in many other countries." Many Singaporeans also have supplemental private health insurance (often provided by employers) for services not covered by the government's programs.
Healthcare today in Singapore
Patients are free to choose the providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private clinic or any government polyclinic. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident & Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals.
Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well qualified doctors and dentists, many trained overseas.
Singapore has a medical savings account
Medical savings account
Medical savings account refers to an account in which tax-deferred deposits can be made for medical expenses.-In Singapore:Medisave was introduced in April 1984 as a national medical savings system for Singaporeans...
system known as Medisave
Medisave
Medisave was introduced in April 1984 as a national medical savings account system for Singaporeans. The system allows Singaporeans to put aside part of their income into a Medisave account to meet future personal or immediate family's hospitalization, day surgery and for certain outpatient...
.
Hospitals in Singapore
The Singapore General HospitalSingapore General Hospital
The Singapore General Hospital is the largest and oldest hospital in Singapore, of which the foundation of its first building was laid in 1821....
is the largest and oldest hospital in Singapore, of which the foundation of its first building was laid in 1821.
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
The Tan Tock Seng Hospital is the second-largest hospital in Singapore after the Singapore General Hospital, but its accident and emergency department is the busiest in the country largely due to its geographically centralised location...
is the second largest hospital in Singapore after the Singapore General Hospital, but its accident and emergency department is the busiest in the country largely due to its geographically centralised location. Set up in 1844 by an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Tan Tock Seng, the hospital came into the international spotlight when it was designated as the sole treatment centre for the SARS epidemic which struck the country in 2003.
In the 1990s, all public hospitals were "restructured" which means that they have been operated as government-owned corporations rather than the typical model of public hospital
Public hospital
A public hospital or government hospital is a hospital which is owned by a government and receives government funding. This type of hospital provides medical care free of charge, the cost of which is covered by the funding the hospital receives....
s in other countries. There are two major healthcare groups operating restructured hospitals: SingHealth
SingHealth
SingHealth is Singapore's largest group of healthcare institutions. The group was formed in 2000 and consists of three public hospitals across the island, five specialist centres and a network of nine polyclinics. The group operates Singapore General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and...
and the National Healthcare Group
National Healthcare Group
National Healthcare Group is a Singapore group of healthcare institutions. The group was formed in 2000 and has one public hospital across the island, three specialist centres and runs eight polyclinics as well. The group operates Tan Tock Seng Hospital and the Institute of Mental Health...
(NHG). There is also a smaller group linked to the National University of Singapore
National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore's oldest university. It is the largest university in the country in terms of student enrollment and curriculum offered....
called the National University Health System
National University Health System
The National University Health System is an academic health science centre located in Singapore. It was established in January 2008 as a joint venture between the National University of Singapore and Singapore's MOH Holdings Pte Ltd...
(NUHS).
Mental health
There is one psychiatric hospitalPsychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
in Singapore, the Institute of Mental Health, previously known as Woodbridge Hospital after its old location near a wooden bridge in Yio Chu Kang
Yio Chu Kang
Yio Chu Kang is a sub-urban area in the northeast of Singapore, with proximity to the Ang Mo Kio, Seletar and Serangoon areas. Deriving its name from the Yio Chu Kang Village, it is still known for lush greenery and low-density housing with high-rise public housing in its southern fringes...
. It is now located in Hougang
Hougang
Hougang is an urban planning area and a suburb in the north-eastern area of the city-state of Singapore. Under classification by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the area is part of the North-East Region, an urban planning division. Hougang borders Sengkang in the north and Serangoon to its...
.
Means testing in Singapore hospitals
Patients warded in B2 and C class wards in public hospitals with effect from 1 January 2009 will be means-tested to determine the level of subsidy they will be entitled.- Patient subsidy will be based on the average monthly income received over the last available 12-month period including bonuses for salaried employees.
- Services such as Day surgery, A&E services, Specialist Outpatient and polyclinic visits will not be means tested and standard subsidies rate applied to citizens and PR as usual.
- People with no income, such as retirees or housewives, will have their subsidy rate pegged to the value of their homes.
- All unemployed residents of HDB flats excluding those in executive condominiums (EC) will be entitled to full subsidy.
| Means testing in public hospitals as of 1 January 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Income of Patient (SGD Singapore dollar The Singapore dollar or Dollar is the official currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies... ) |
Citizens Subsidy | Permanent residents Subsidy | ||
| Class C | Class B2 | Class C | Class B2 | |
| $3,200 and below1 | 80% | 65% | 70% | 55% |
| $3,201 - $3,350 | 79% | 64% | 69% | 54% |
| $3,351 - $3,500 | 78% | 63% | 68% | 53% |
| $3,501 - $3,650 | 77% | 62% | 67% | 52% |
| $3,651 - $3,800 | 76% | 61% | 66% | 51% |
| $3,801 - $3,950 | 75% | 60% | 65% | 50% |
| $3,951 - $4,100 | 74% | 59% | 64% | 49% |
| $4,101 - $4,250 | 73% | 58% | 63% | 48% |
| $4,251 - $4,400 | 72% | 57% | 62% | 47% |
| $4,401 - $4,550 | 71% | 56% | 61% | 46% |
| $4,551 - $4,700 | 70% | 55% | 60% | 45% |
| $4,701 - $4,850 | 69% | 54% | 59% | 44% |
| $4,851 - $5,000 | 68% | 53% | 58% | 43% |
| $5,001 - $5,100 | 67% | 52% | 57% | 42% |
| $5,101 - $5,200 | 66% | 51% | 56% | 41% |
| $5,201 and above2 | 65% | 50% | 55% | 40% |
1. No income declare and property with AV below $11,000. 2. No income declare and property with AV exceeding $11,000. 3. Foreigners no longer receive any subsidies at public hospitals since 01-Jan-08. |
||||
Crisis
- Singaporean measures against avian influenzaSingaporean measures against avian influenzaSingapore has taken a series of measures against avian influenza and the potential threat of a pandemic.-Status:As of October 17, 2005, there were no cases of H5N1 avian influenza detected in Singapore, either in humans or poultry.-Threat:...
- Slim 10Slim 10Slim 10 was a popular dieting pill produced by Yuzhitang Health Products of Guangdong, People's Republic of China. In 2002, the product gained notoriety for cases of thyroid problems, liver failure, and deaths in Asia as a result of its consumption....
- 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore2005 dengue outbreak in SingaporeIn the 2005 dengue outbreak in Singapore, a significant rise in the number of dengue fever cases was reported in Singapore, becoming the country's worst health crisis since the 2003 SARS epidemic...
- 1997 Southeast Asian haze1997 Southeast Asian hazeThe 1997 Southeast Asian haze was a large-scale air quality disaster which occurred during the second half of 1997, its after-effects causing widespread atmospheric visibility and health problems within Southeast Asia...
- 2006 Southeast Asian haze
See also
- MedisaveMedisaveMedisave was introduced in April 1984 as a national medical savings account system for Singaporeans. The system allows Singaporeans to put aside part of their income into a Medisave account to meet future personal or immediate family's hospitalization, day surgery and for certain outpatient...
- Singapore Workplace Safety and Health ConferenceSingapore Workplace Safety and Health ConferenceThe Singapore Workplace Safety and Health Conference is a platform for the promotion of workplace safety and health thought and practice in Singapore and the region....
- SingHealthSingHealthSingHealth is Singapore's largest group of healthcare institutions. The group was formed in 2000 and consists of three public hospitals across the island, five specialist centres and a network of nine polyclinics. The group operates Singapore General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and...
- Health Promotion BoardHealth Promotion BoardThe Health Promotion Board is a statutory board under the Ministry of Health of Singapore. It was established in 2001 to act as the main driver for national health promotion and disease prevention programmes, "with a vision to build a nation of healthy and happy people".HPB undertakes the...
- List of hospitals in Singapore