Expected Cost Savings for Government from Pursuit of Healthier SG Initiative

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Health what is the expected overall cost savings of the healthcare budget in the next five years as a result of pursuing the Healthier SG initiative.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Ms Rahayu Mahzam) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker. Healthier SG is the correct policy to focus on to reduce the prevalence of diseases as our population ages. It is too early to give a robust budgetary estimate. The work has just begun, and the focus now is getting everyone on board and making sure everyone understands and buys into the mission objective.

Mr Speaker: Mr Yip.

Mr Yip Hon Weng: Thank you, Speaker. And I thank the S enior Parliamentary Secretary **** for her reply. I take the point that it is too early.

When does Ministry of Health (MOH) plan to move towards this new healthcare financing model under Healthier SG? Because Healther SG is coming up in the middle of the year, so some residents have asked about what are some of the costs involved.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: I thank the Member for the query. We can address some of these issues as they come along. And when we are ready, we can and make the appropriate announcements of the changes that will impact residents.