Tag Archives: healthcare

Once again, the missus of the Prime Minister of our country has lashed out at Singaporeans who have voiced their grievances at how much swabbers are being paid vs how much our front line professionals, service staff and cleaning crew are paid. "For anyone who think their pay is unfairly lower than the swabbers, stop whining and go volunteer to be trained to do the swabbing."

The party, led by former PAP MP and veteran politician, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, have released a few posters on its social media channels that points the way the party is focusing on for the elections. Singapore can expect the PSP to focus on issues like the cost of living, education and the affordability of healthcare and retirement during their campaigning for the elections.

Do you think our healthcare funding will improve with the increase in healthcare spending next time?

Leong Sze Hian compared healthcare in Singapore to that of the United States and asked why Singaporeans keep having to pay increased medical bills despite the Government promising to pay more for us. What do you think?

In this connection, anecdotally – everytime you go to a hospital – most of the staff that you see, from the reception to the wards, pharmacy, cashier, etc – do not appear to be Singaporeans? What is the breakdown of the workforce in the healthcare sector currently – into foreigners, permanent residents (PRs) and Singaporeans? As to PRs and Singaporeans – it may be interesting to note that from 2004 to 2016 – we granted 555,659 and 228,840 new PRs and new citizens, respectively. With regard to jobs – from 2006 to 2016 – the employment growth for locals and foreigners was 376,800 and 701,900, respectively. How many of the 376,800 locals’ jobs were S’poreans? So, how many of the “locals” (PRs and citizens) employment growth of 376,800 went to Singaporeans, since 467,659 new PRs and 208,840 new citizens were granted in the same period from 2006 to 2016?

I refer to the article “Six IP insurers stung by underwriting losses as claims surge” (Business Times, Sep 7).

We refer to the article “No mystery to setting up of ministerial committee on Oxley Road house: Tharman” (Straits Times, Jun 22). It states that “Some Ministerial committees may sit for just a few months, because the problems can be sorted out quickly. But there are also committees that have to stay engaged for years – sometimes with new Ministers coming in – such as on foreign worker policies, and funding healthcare and retirement needs.”

I refer to the article “$5 health screening: Letters out from August” (Sunday Times, Apr 16). It states that “The $5 covers tests and, should any prove positive, a consultation with a doctor.

“Our public healthcare institutions are not-for-profit organisations,” he said. “While the drug prices include a margin, this is to offset overheads and operations costs… They are not profit margins.” So, does it mean that drugs are priced to recover all costs, including overheads and operation costs? So, from a cashflow perspective – does it mean that the Government may still not be spending a single cent on healthcare. if annual inflows exceed outflows ($13.3 billion – $13.2 billion)?

Responding to WP's Low Thia Khiang's question that some Singaporeans still find medication in Singapore expensive and unaffordable, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong declared that Singapore's public health institutions are NOT FOR PROFIT organisations. He said that they do not make profits on the drugs prescribed and although there is a margin on the drugs sold, that was to offset overheads and operational costs, which are not profit margins.