Tuberculosis Screening for Long-term Pass Holders and Frequent Cross-border Travellers

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health given the regional surge in tuberculosis (TB) cases (a) whether the Ministry has reviewed its current screening requirements for long-term pass holders and frequent cross-border travellers; and (b) what were the key considerations behind deciding not to expand or tighten screening measures at this stage.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Tuberculosis (TB) is endemic in Singapore and across the region. Hence, TB screening for short-term visitors is impractical, because it will become a major deterrence for visitors to come to Singapore.

As for long-term pass applicants, we adopt a risk-based approach. All except selected Employment Pass applicants are required to undergo screening for active TB disease with a chest X-ray on arrival into Singapore. This also includes periodic health screenings during pass renewal. As for Employment Pass applicants, our surveillance on Employment Pass holders showed that prevalence of TB amongst them is low. Hence, applicants are instead required to submit a medical declaration that they are free of TB.

All TB cases are notifiable under the Infectious Diseases Act and subject to mandatory treatment. TB is also highly treatable, with a well-established treatment pathway. The key risk is when young children are infected, as they can develop highly dangerous meningitis. This is why we administer the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine to infants at birth, which will protect them against TB for 10 to 15 years.

Communicable Diseases Agency will continue to assess potential enhancements in its screening measures together with the relevant agencies based on the global and local epidemiological situation.