EXPENDITURE ON HEALTHCARE

EXPENDITURE ON HEALTHCARE

7.

Mdm Halimah Yacob asked the Minister for Health out of the total expenditure spent on healthcare in Singapore, what is the amount in percentage terms and in dollar quantum that individuals have had to spend out of their own pockets, including Medisave, for their medical treatment in 2007.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Based on the latest available data, our National Healthcare Expenditure (NHE) amounted to $7.45 billion in 2005. This included expenditures in public and private hospitals, clinics, drugs, medical supplies, health supplements, herbs, traditional medicine, spa treatments, nursing homes, dental expenses, medical research and education, and many other items. Detailed breakdown among these items is still not available.

However, if we assume the same breakdown from 2004, then individuals' cash spending would amount to $3 billion or 41% of NHE. Half of this spending would be for medical treatment in hospitals and GPs, the rest for items like over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and TCM treatments. Medisave withdrawals would amount to $422 million or 6% of NHE.

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