COUNTRY REPORT: SINGAPORE

residents. Additionally, residents will no longer need to co-pay part of their bills (usually 15%) when opting for MediSave for chronic care management,” she said. Expenses for yearly check-ins for family doctors will also be subsidised by the government and family doctors will receive an annual service fee, tiered based on health risk profile, scope of needed care, and progress made in preventive care or chronic disease management for the enrolled residents.

treatments or moderate to severe treatments is seen to increase and the government’s goal is to control the overall spending, making it more affordable, said Lin. Lowering healthcare expenses will especially help the elderly, who face severe financial burdens since they are the most vulnerable to illnesses.

Amongst the factors that prompted the new health reform is the growing geriatric population in Singapore. One in four residents is expected to reach 65 years old and above by 2023.

Singapore also saw the prevalence of chronic diseases that include hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, which went up to worryingly high levels, at 32% and 37%, respectively. Notable subsidies, according to Cyriac, include access to fully subsidised recommended screenings (type 2 diabetes, hypertension, breast/cervical/colorectal cancer etc.) and vaccinations (influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations for 65+ years old etc.). “The first onboarding consultation with the family doctor will be free for

“Additionally, to ensure consolidation and sharing of patient health metrics, a one-off grant will also be offered to the primary clinics to encourage digitalisation,” said YCP Solidiance’s Cyriac.

GPs that are part of the primary care network (PCN) will also get funding and administrative support from the Ministry of Health.

“This initiative further incentivises family doctors to join the PCN. In 2018, 340 clinics were part of the PCN and have grown to 670 clinics today compared to about 1,800 clinics in total in Singapore,” said Cyriac.

Eldercare facilities

The Ministry of Health is also studying provisions in the bill as it will also implement clear and stringent safeguards to ensure proper handling of health information. Another obstacle to digital apps is encouraging the elderly population to use them. The expansion of eldercare centres (ECs) may help and Healthier SG is seeking to grow the ECs from 119 currently to 220 by 2025.

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