FOREIGN PATIENTS IN GOVERNMENT AND RESTRUCTURED HOSPITALS

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Health, of the total number of patients treated in restructured, government and university hospitals from 1990 to 1992, (a) what was the percentage of foreign patients; (b) what was the cost-benefit analysis of treating foreign patients; and (c) whether the resources would be better utilized if they were allocated to Singaporeans.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Foreign patients using government and restructured hospitals make up between 2% and 5% of total admissions over the last 3 years. They are only admitted into A and B1 wards. Besides being charged the full cost of treatment, foreign patients are levied a surcharge on the total hospital bill. Government is not subsidising these patients.

Since foreign patients constitute only a very small proportion of patients in our public sector hospitals and are not subsidised, they have not taken up our resources at the expense of our citizens.