Adjournment motion on improving access to fertility preservation for young cancer patients
About six in 100 patients diagnosed with cancer each year in Singapore are under the age of 40 - in the prime of their lives. Their hopes of starting a family may be affected by chemotherapy treatment which can impact fertility, sometimes for the long term. Making this point in Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 6), MP Tan Wu Meng called for young cancer patients to be given improved access to fertility preservation such as sperm- or egg-freezing or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). He asked that the Government work with the insurance industry to ensure this is covered under Integrated Shield Plans. In fact, if the Ministry of Health (MOH) were to move on this for MediShield Life, he said, it would shape the market and send a strong signal to the private sector to do the same. Dr Tan said in his view, this was not a major policy deviation, as healthcare insurance already covers restoration of natural biological function when someone has been seriously injured. He also urged the Government and the Monetary Authority of Singapore to work with banks and financial institutions to provide interest-free loans for young cancer patients needing fertility preservation, and to stimulate philanthropy to support this group. In an era of fewer children being born, said Dr Tan, the message must be sent that “every potential child matters”. Responding to his adjournment motion, Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said MOH would study his proposals to extend Government co-funding and insurance. She noted the options currently available to young married couples or young single women in such circumstances and said policy shifts over the years reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting fertility and parenthood.
About six in 100 patients diagnosed with cancer each year in Singapore are under the age of 40 - in the prime of their lives. Their hopes of starting a family may be affected by chemotherapy treatment which can impact fertility, sometimes for the long term. Making this point in Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 6), MP Tan Wu Meng called for young cancer patients to be given improved access to fertility preservation such as sperm- or egg-freezing or in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). He asked that the Government work with the insurance industry to ensure this is covered under Integrated Shield Plans. In fact, if the Ministry of Health (MOH) were to move on this for MediShield Life, he said, it would shape the market and send a strong signal to the private sector to do the same. Dr Tan said in his view, this was not a major policy deviation, as healthcare insurance already covers restoration of natural biological function when someone has been seriously injured. He also urged the Government and the Monetary Authority of Singapore to work with banks and financial institutions to provide interest-free loans for young cancer patients needing fertility preservation, and to stimulate philanthropy to support this group. In an era of fewer children being born, said Dr Tan, the message must be sent that “every potential child matters”. Responding to his adjournment motion, Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam said MOH would study his proposals to extend Government co-funding and insurance. She noted the options currently available to young married couples or young single women in such circumstances and said policy shifts over the years reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting fertility and parenthood.
Popular Shows
