ASSISTANCE TO SINGLE MOTHERS

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Health (a) what other alternative assistance, if any, the Government gives to help a single mother when she decides not to terminate the pregnancy, and (b) whether the benefits are spelt out to the pregnant person during the 2weeks pre-counselling period before the actual abortion.

The Minister for Health (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, all women, married or single, undergo compulsory pre-abortion counselling conducted by trained counsellors when they attend any registered medical clinic to request for an abortion. At least 48 hours must elapse after the pre-abortion counselling before a woman can go for the abortion.

During the pre-abortion counselling the risks involved in the abortion procedure and the possible consequences of abortion are explained. Depending on the circumstances and the reason for seeking an abortion, the counsellor will discourage women from going through with the abortion by explaining the benefits of keeping the baby, which include the joys of parenting, the bonding of the family, and that a baby is not a burden and will not jeopardise a woman's career.

If the woman is single and decides to keep the baby, assistance appropriate to her needs will be rendered. She is referred to shelters for pregnant single women for accommodation if she finds it difficult to stay in her own home. She is also provided with information on adoption procedures and alternative child care arrangements. She can be referred to agencies such as the Family Service Centres and the Pregnancy Crisis Service for social support and services like mediation between the single mother and her parents, arrangements to retain her in school and referral to agencies for financial assistance and free antenatal care.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I notice pre-counselling does not include material benefits, like food or free medical treatment for the child. Are there such benefits after the child is born?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: If the single mother requires financial assistance, there are various agencies to provide this financial assistance. So she will be referred to all these agencies, as I have explained in my answer.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, other than the risks of abortion and the benefits of a family, does the Government give other benefits to the single mother especially?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: Our position is, if you bring a baby into this world, you should be responsible for the baby. But in the case of a single mother, we understand that she is probably in more financial difficulties and so we will refer her to all the various agencies. There are no special benefits for single mothers.

Mr Chiam See Tong: It would appear that the Government prefers a single mother to abort the baby rather than to keep her, and even, later on, with the hope of giving the child up for adoption. But does that not go against the policy of the Government to encourage Singaporeans to have more babies?

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: We encourage more babies within a family context.