Ministry of Health (MOH)
The Ministry of Health’s vision is “Championing a healthy nation with our people - To live well, live long & with peace of mind”. MOH’s mission is to be an innovative and people-centered organisation to promote good health and reduce illness, ensure access to good and affordable healthcare that is appropriate to needs, and to pursue medical excellence.
A total budget of $3,705 million has been allocated to MOH for FY2009 to achieve this mission.
Outcomes of Ministry
MOH has identified the following desired health outcomes in line with our mission:
Healthy Singaporeans
Affordable & Good Quality healthcare for all Singaporeans appropriate to needs
Pursue Medical Excellence
Healthy Singaporeans
To build a nation of healthy Singaporeans, MOH begins with focusing on health promotion and education as well as building up a strong public health system and capabilities to cope with communicable disease threats and emergencies.
Healthy Population
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) assumes the role of the main driver for national health promotion and disease prevention programmes to increase the quality and years of healthy life and prevent illness, disability and premature death. The HPB encourages Singaporeans to lead healthy lifestyles, have balanced diets, undergo regular health screening and build positive mental health. For FY2009, $105 million will be set aside for the following main programmes:
Health and dental services for school children and Childhood Injury Prevention Programme;
Screening Programmes: Integrated Screening, BreastScreen Singapore, CervicalScreen Singapore etc;
AIDS Education Programme;
Mental Health Education Programme;
National Smoking Control Programme;
Workplace Health Promotion Programme.
Beyond physical health improvements, mental health is another important area of focus. Towards this end, MOH is leading a National Mental Health Working Group to coordinate and drive inter-agency efforts to promote the mental wellbeing and resilience among Singaporeans. A total of $88m has been committed for this initiative, out of which $40m will be invested over the next 5 years to build community based capabilities and networks for children, adults and the elderly. These efforts aim to increase the community’s understanding of how to build up their mental resilience, when to provide/seek help and their access to services.
A Strong Public Health System
$71 million has been set aside for FY2009 to build up capabilities to respond swiftly to potential emergency health situations, e.g. flu pandemic, bioterrorism and mass casualty events, as well as tackle communicable diseases. MOH will continue to strengthen its close partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community to counter emerging global infectious diseases.
Affordable, Good Quality Healthcare for all Singaporeans appropriate to needs
MOH is committed to ensuring that all Singaporeans have access to good and affordable healthcare that is appropriate to needs. This is achieved through the following:
A Robust and Sustainable National Healthcare Financing Framework
Singapore has always believed in maintaining a balanced approach to our healthcare system, with objectives of having financial risk protection to the individual Singaporeans through the 3Ms framework as well as financial sustainability to the nation. This multi-tiered healthcare financing framework has served us well thus far in ensuring that the vast majority of hospital bills remain affordable for Singaporeans.
For FY2009, a total of $2,061 million will be set aside as subsidies for Singaporeans seeking medical care at the polyclinics, public hospitals, specialty centres and step-down care institutions run by the voluntary welfare organisations, e.g. nursing homes, community hospitals, day rehabilitation centres for the elderly and hospices. On 1 Jan 09, MOH implemented means-testing for the subsidised B2 and C Class inpatient admissions. The objective is to focus government subsidies on the needy.
Besides Government subsidies, the current 3M financing framework (Medisave, MediShield, Medifund) has to be continually refined to support our desire for healthcare to remain affordable to all Singaporeans.
In the last 2 years, Medisave has undergone a series of refinements to remain relevant to the needs of the population e.g. increase in inpatient per diem withdrawal limits and MRI/CT scans for cancer treatments. MOH has also expanded Medisave to cover treatments of 6 chronic conditions in 2008 and will continue to enhance MediShield’s coverage of catastrophic Class B2/C bills and achieve greater coverage among children and non-working spouses.
With the slowdown in the economy, MOH has advised the Medifund committees to look out for needy cases to render appropriate assistance. MOH expects a larger Medifund disbursement in FY2009 and FY2010.
ElderShield is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme to provide insurance coverage for elderly Singaporeans who require long-term care. In 2007, Eldershield reform brought about greater payout and longer payout period with ElderShield Supplement to those who prefer additional severe disability coverage.
For Singaporeans who are not eligible to join ElderShield due to the age limit or pre-existing disabilities, the Interim Disability Assistance Programme, or IDAPE, provides the desired medical coverage for the long-term care required. A total of $13 million will be set aside to help the elderly pay for their ElderShield premiums and as subsidy payouts for Singaporeans under IDAPE.
Integrated Healthcare System for Patient-Centred Care – Strengthening Primary Care, Intermediate & Long-Term Care and End-of-Life Care
MOH recognises that the healthcare system should be patient-centric and patients should be cared for at settings that are most appropriate and beneficial. MOH will continue to improve the quality of services provided by the acute hospitals. MOH will also actively work with our stakeholders and partners to strengthen the primary care and ILTC sectors, to complement the acute care sector. To improve our healthcare system by integration between healthcare providers across the spectrum – primary, step-down, acute, private and public sectors, MOH will:
Strengthen the Capabilities of the Primary Care Sector in the management of major chronic diseases in the community so as to reduce the need for costly institutional care.
Progressively transform intermediate and long term care (ILTC) sector to address the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.
Integrate care across continuum for a more seamless transition for patients when they move from one level of services to another.
Having the patient cared for at the appropriate setting will also allow resources to be focused and strategically applied to where they are most needed within the healthcare delivery system. MOH will also embark on National Health Records (EHR) in 2009 for a comprehensive national health infrastructure for Singapore.
Continual Investment in Healthcare Manpower and Infrastructure
With the ageing population, healthcare needs will increase dramatically and change in nature. Our manpower and infrastructure capacity must grow in tandem with the expanding and evolving healthcare needs of Singaporeans.
$299 million has been set aside in FY2009 to ensure right-numbering (adequate staffing), right-pricing (for recruitment and retention) and right-skilling (to plug skills gaps and develop capabilities) of our healthcare workforce.
In tandem with the approved manpower increase, efforts are underway to expand our Acute Care, as well as Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) facilities over the next 5 years. - The Ministry will expand the capacity of our acute facilities. Work is currently in progress to plan/construct new regional hospitals (e.g. construction of the new Khoo Teck Puat Hospital – targeted opening in 2010), and right-size ambulatory care services (e.g. redevelopment of National Heart Centre).
- Plans are also underway to develop new ILTC facilities to address the projected needs of our rapidly aging population, as well as to ensure a seamless transition of care upon discharge from the acute hospitals. Work is in progress to plan and develop new community hospitals and nursing homes.
Pursuing Medical Excellence
The pursuit of medical excellence is an integral part of ensuring that our national healthcare system keeps pace with global medical advancements. Clinical research and knowledge-driven care will help develop new standards in medical excellence and raise the quality of medical care for Singaporeans.
Investing in Knowledge-driven Healthcare
To keep up with advances in biomedical science and develop new clinical treatments for Singaporean, MOH, in partnership with A*STAR, MOE, the National Research Foundation and the National Medical Research Council, will invest $55 million in clinical and translational research. On top of this, $14 million will be set aside for the Health Services Development Programme to develop new clinical services. These initiatives will augment Singapore’s medical capabilities in our public healthcare system and help position Singapore as the premier regional medical services hub.
Establishing National Standards of Care
MOH will develop national standards of healthcare to measure healthcare delivery outcomes to spur continuous improvement towards medical excellence and ensure the delivery of good quality healthcare. The national standards will evolve with developments in our healthcare delivery system and international developments to ensure its continued relevance. MOH and HSA will also continue to ensure high medical standards by investing in developing capabilities in progressive regulation and enforcement.
The Ministry of Health’s vision is “Championing a healthy nation with our people - To live well, live long & with peace of mind”. MOH’s mission is to be an innovative and people-centered organisation to promote good health and reduce illness, ensure access to good and affordable healthcare that is appropriate to needs, and to pursue medical excellence.
A total budget of $3,705 million has been allocated to MOH for FY2009 to achieve this mission.
Outcomes of Ministry
MOH has identified the following desired health outcomes in line with our mission:
Healthy Singaporeans
Affordable & Good Quality healthcare for all Singaporeans appropriate to needs
Pursue Medical Excellence
Healthy Singaporeans
To build a nation of healthy Singaporeans, MOH begins with focusing on health promotion and education as well as building up a strong public health system and capabilities to cope with communicable disease threats and emergencies.
Healthy Population
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) assumes the role of the main driver for national health promotion and disease prevention programmes to increase the quality and years of healthy life and prevent illness, disability and premature death. The HPB encourages Singaporeans to lead healthy lifestyles, have balanced diets, undergo regular health screening and build positive mental health. For FY2009, $105 million will be set aside for the following main programmes:
Health and dental services for school children and Childhood Injury Prevention Programme;
Screening Programmes: Integrated Screening, BreastScreen Singapore, CervicalScreen Singapore etc;
AIDS Education Programme;
Mental Health Education Programme;
National Smoking Control Programme;
Workplace Health Promotion Programme.
Beyond physical health improvements, mental health is another important area of focus. Towards this end, MOH is leading a National Mental Health Working Group to coordinate and drive inter-agency efforts to promote the mental wellbeing and resilience among Singaporeans. A total of $88m has been committed for this initiative, out of which $40m will be invested over the next 5 years to build community based capabilities and networks for children, adults and the elderly. These efforts aim to increase the community’s understanding of how to build up their mental resilience, when to provide/seek help and their access to services.
A Strong Public Health System
$71 million has been set aside for FY2009 to build up capabilities to respond swiftly to potential emergency health situations, e.g. flu pandemic, bioterrorism and mass casualty events, as well as tackle communicable diseases. MOH will continue to strengthen its close partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community to counter emerging global infectious diseases.
Affordable, Good Quality Healthcare for all Singaporeans appropriate to needs
MOH is committed to ensuring that all Singaporeans have access to good and affordable healthcare that is appropriate to needs. This is achieved through the following:
A Robust and Sustainable National Healthcare Financing Framework
Singapore has always believed in maintaining a balanced approach to our healthcare system, with objectives of having financial risk protection to the individual Singaporeans through the 3Ms framework as well as financial sustainability to the nation. This multi-tiered healthcare financing framework has served us well thus far in ensuring that the vast majority of hospital bills remain affordable for Singaporeans.
For FY2009, a total of $2,061 million will be set aside as subsidies for Singaporeans seeking medical care at the polyclinics, public hospitals, specialty centres and step-down care institutions run by the voluntary welfare organisations, e.g. nursing homes, community hospitals, day rehabilitation centres for the elderly and hospices. On 1 Jan 09, MOH implemented means-testing for the subsidised B2 and C Class inpatient admissions. The objective is to focus government subsidies on the needy.
Besides Government subsidies, the current 3M financing framework (Medisave, MediShield, Medifund) has to be continually refined to support our desire for healthcare to remain affordable to all Singaporeans.
In the last 2 years, Medisave has undergone a series of refinements to remain relevant to the needs of the population e.g. increase in inpatient per diem withdrawal limits and MRI/CT scans for cancer treatments. MOH has also expanded Medisave to cover treatments of 6 chronic conditions in 2008 and will continue to enhance MediShield’s coverage of catastrophic Class B2/C bills and achieve greater coverage among children and non-working spouses.
With the slowdown in the economy, MOH has advised the Medifund committees to look out for needy cases to render appropriate assistance. MOH expects a larger Medifund disbursement in FY2009 and FY2010.
ElderShield is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme to provide insurance coverage for elderly Singaporeans who require long-term care. In 2007, Eldershield reform brought about greater payout and longer payout period with ElderShield Supplement to those who prefer additional severe disability coverage.
For Singaporeans who are not eligible to join ElderShield due to the age limit or pre-existing disabilities, the Interim Disability Assistance Programme, or IDAPE, provides the desired medical coverage for the long-term care required. A total of $13 million will be set aside to help the elderly pay for their ElderShield premiums and as subsidy payouts for Singaporeans under IDAPE.
Integrated Healthcare System for Patient-Centred Care – Strengthening Primary Care, Intermediate & Long-Term Care and End-of-Life Care
MOH recognises that the healthcare system should be patient-centric and patients should be cared for at settings that are most appropriate and beneficial. MOH will continue to improve the quality of services provided by the acute hospitals. MOH will also actively work with our stakeholders and partners to strengthen the primary care and ILTC sectors, to complement the acute care sector. To improve our healthcare system by integration between healthcare providers across the spectrum – primary, step-down, acute, private and public sectors, MOH will:
Strengthen the Capabilities of the Primary Care Sector in the management of major chronic diseases in the community so as to reduce the need for costly institutional care.
Progressively transform intermediate and long term care (ILTC) sector to address the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.
Integrate care across continuum for a more seamless transition for patients when they move from one level of services to another.
Having the patient cared for at the appropriate setting will also allow resources to be focused and strategically applied to where they are most needed within the healthcare delivery system. MOH will also embark on National Health Records (EHR) in 2009 for a comprehensive national health infrastructure for Singapore.
Continual Investment in Healthcare Manpower and Infrastructure
With the ageing population, healthcare needs will increase dramatically and change in nature. Our manpower and infrastructure capacity must grow in tandem with the expanding and evolving healthcare needs of Singaporeans.
$299 million has been set aside in FY2009 to ensure right-numbering (adequate staffing), right-pricing (for recruitment and retention) and right-skilling (to plug skills gaps and develop capabilities) of our healthcare workforce.
In tandem with the approved manpower increase, efforts are underway to expand our Acute Care, as well as Intermediate and Long Term Care (ILTC) facilities over the next 5 years. - The Ministry will expand the capacity of our acute facilities. Work is currently in progress to plan/construct new regional hospitals (e.g. construction of the new Khoo Teck Puat Hospital – targeted opening in 2010), and right-size ambulatory care services (e.g. redevelopment of National Heart Centre).
- Plans are also underway to develop new ILTC facilities to address the projected needs of our rapidly aging population, as well as to ensure a seamless transition of care upon discharge from the acute hospitals. Work is in progress to plan and develop new community hospitals and nursing homes.
Pursuing Medical Excellence
The pursuit of medical excellence is an integral part of ensuring that our national healthcare system keeps pace with global medical advancements. Clinical research and knowledge-driven care will help develop new standards in medical excellence and raise the quality of medical care for Singaporeans.
Investing in Knowledge-driven Healthcare
To keep up with advances in biomedical science and develop new clinical treatments for Singaporean, MOH, in partnership with A*STAR, MOE, the National Research Foundation and the National Medical Research Council, will invest $55 million in clinical and translational research. On top of this, $14 million will be set aside for the Health Services Development Programme to develop new clinical services. These initiatives will augment Singapore’s medical capabilities in our public healthcare system and help position Singapore as the premier regional medical services hub.
Establishing National Standards of Care
MOH will develop national standards of healthcare to measure healthcare delivery outcomes to spur continuous improvement towards medical excellence and ensure the delivery of good quality healthcare. The national standards will evolve with developments in our healthcare delivery system and international developments to ensure its continued relevance. MOH and HSA will also continue to ensure high medical standards by investing in developing capabilities in progressive regulation and enforcement.
