Healthcare in Singapore
The Singaporean public health insurance system is based on programs run by the Central Provident Fund, primarily Medisave, a mandatory medical savings account scheme.
All working citizens and permanent residents are obligated to set aside a portion of their income into Medisave accounts, which they can draw upon to pay their own medical bills and those of their immediate family.
In addition, the government provides subsidies for the medical expenses of citizens and permanent residents who receive treatment in public hospitals.
[5] According to global consulting firm Towers Watson, 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".
These costs are largely subject to market forces, and vary enormously within the private sector, depending on the medical specialty and service provided.
[6] Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore in January 1819, with a single accompanying doctor, a sub-assistant surgeon named Thomas Prendergast, then the medical officer in Penang's General Hospital.
[7]: 12 Even the General Hospital building, which was supposed to be an "elite" healthcare institution in the early days, had to be replaced twice by 1830 because it was "dilapidated and full of holes".
All hospitals in Singapore have been structured as government corporations since the 1990s, constantly competing with one another to have the most advanced services, and technology available.
[12] In addition, there are 9 national specialty centres for cancer (NCCS & NCIS), cardiac (NHCS & NUHCS), eye (SNEC), skin (NSC), neuroscience (NNI) and dental care (NDCS & NUCOHS).
[24] Launched in 1990, MediShield is a low cost basic insurance scheme intended for those whose savings are insufficient to meet their medical expenses.
The government provides premium subsidies to lower- to middle-income residents, the elderly and new policyholders transitioning from cheaper policies.
[27] In September 2020 it was announced it was being considered that treatment for drug addiction, alcoholism and injuries from attempted suicide would be covered under MediShield Life.
[31][32] MediFund is Singapore's safety net programme, which covers only the lowest class of hospitalisation fees and services.
It is a supplementary healthcare scheme that provides further subsidies for citizens from lower-to-middle income households, and the Pioneer generation, born before 1950, who need treatment for common illnesses, chronic health problems and specific dental issues.
Private healthcare is more appealing and preferred by expatriate citizens as opposed to public for the short wait times, and greater availability of services.
Parkway Pantai is Southeast Asia's largest private healthcare provider with hospitals in several countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
Raffles Medical Group (RMG) is one of the largest private healthcare providers in Asia, with hospitals and clinics located in several cities, including Singapore.
[43] RMG owns Raffles Hospital in Singapore, which specializes in obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics.
[43] There are a variety of choices for private health insurance in Singapore, known as Integrated Shield Plans which supplement Medishield Life coverage.
Depending on an individual, or families level of income, lifestyle, location, and medical history, there are monthly insurance plans ranging from S$75 SGD to S$400.
[10] Companies include but are not limited to AIA, AXA, Great Eastern, Income, Prudential, Raffles Health and Singlife.
[44] In October 2003, then acting Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan launched "SingaporeMedicine" to promote Singapore as a regional medical hub.
[45] In his speech, Khaw said, "SingaporeMedicine that we are launching today shall be the rallying point and a powerful symbol of our collective will and commitment towards this ambition...
In three specialties alone, heart, eye and cancer, I see tens of millions of middle-class patients within a 7-hour flying radius, waiting to be served.
