SINGAPORE: MPs have expressed their concerns over the potential abuse of a one Singaporean, one Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.

This came a day after Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said he was looking at introducing the system.

Under the Electronic Medical Record system, doctors from the public and private sectors can access a patient's records.

The idea is to help the patient save on costs when he changes hospitals and tests are needed.

But the system may have its drawbacks.

"It can be quite intrusive and in fact dangerous for such personal medical records to go around if it they are not protected," said MP Denise Phua in Parliament on Wednesday.

In reply, Mr Khaw said: "We have to decide what are the critical data and some data are so sensitive that they would never be shared. So it doesn't mean one Singaporean, one EMR means everything, all the gory details are out in outer space.... We have to decide. Issues like HIV and sexual diseases - those data, we will keep them highly confidential."

Another safeguard will be audits to check on abuse.

Such audits will be easier with an online system as there is software that can pick up abuses quickly.

Giving an example, Mr Khaw said: "If you have 100 patients, why are you accessing 1000 patients' records? No reason to do so and unfortunately it does happen.......the system is going to pick it up."

On another issue, Mr Khaw said he was aware of concerns that medical care for the rich is not provided at the expense of the poor.

He gave the assurance that subsidies for medical bills are not applied mechanically.

Those who can afford it, will pay more.

Mr Khaw said: "The solution is to ramp up the supply of doctors, nurses and beds and this is what we are doing. The solution is not to say, 'we don't treat rich or foreign patients in public hospitals'. Remember that doctors are mobile. While they are mindful of their public duties, they also want to treat a range of patients, rich and poor. If we unduly restrict their practice, some will just pack up and go and the poor will then be denied of their expertise."

On Eldershield - an insurance scheme for the elderly - Nominated MP Professor Kalyni Mehta asked why the premiums are higher for women.

"Women, being the stronger sex, they live longer. So their premium rates are higher," replied Mr Khaw. - CNA/ir