Rationale Behind Cessation of Gender Confirmation Surgery in Public Hospitals and Potential Reinstatement

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health (a) what were the specific reasons behind the cessation of gender confirmation surgery in public hospitals in 2014; and (b) whether the Ministry has any plans to reinstate the provision and subsidy of gender confirmation surgery in public hospitals, similar to the arrangement prior to 2000.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Gender reassignment surgery has always been offered by the public hospitals for those seeking medically necessary care, but it has not been part of any subsidy scheme.