MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MR YEO CHEOW TONG Ag Minister for Health

We aim to build a healthy population and to achieve a high standard of health care for all Singaporeans.

Restructuring of Government Hospitals

The restructuring of hospitals began with the opening of the National University Hospital in 1985. The Singapore General Hospital followed in 1989, and the Kandang Kerbau and Toa Payoh Hospitals in April 1990. The restructured hospitals, being autonomously managed, will be able to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively, and look after patients better.

Despite all efforts to improve efficiency and productivity, hospital costs will inevitably rise over the years, as medical services are highly labour and skill intensive. Part of these costs have to be passed on through fee increases. We will adjust fees regularly so that individual increases can be kept smaller. The Government will always subsidise patients using the B2 and C Class wards and services. But subsidies on Class A and B1 beds will be gradually phased out.

The National Eye Centre will begin operations this year. Construction of the National Dental Centre and the Institute of Health will begin in 1991. In 1992 we will commission the first Community Hospital in Ang Mo Kio, and a psychiatric hospital to replace Woodbridge Hospital. Rebuilding of Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Kandang Kerbau Hospital, and the construction of a new general hospital in the eastern part of Singapore, will begin in 1992.

We will set up three more Senior Citizens' Health Care Centres in the next two years. Hougang Polyclinic will open next year, and the Yishun and Woodlands Polyclinics in 1992. We will expand screening of young children for early detection of developmental abnormalities. Public Health

We will strengthen efforts to discourage smoking, and mount anti-smoking campaigns yearly. We will also launch a public education programme on cancer this year.

A Clinical Research Department has been set up this year to encourage medical research and development.

Medisave

75% of all hospital patients now pay their hospitalisation expenses using Medisave. The average Medisave balance has increased from $2500 in 1985 to $3400 in 1989. A catastrophic illness insurance scheme, MediShield, will be implemented on 1 July 1990 to cover medical expenses arising from major and prolonged illnesses.

Birth Rates

The response to the New Population Policy has been encouraging. The total fertility rate increased from 1.4 in 1986 to 1.8 in 1989. We will continue to encourage Singaporeans to have three children, or more if they can afford it, in order to achieve replacement fertility levels.