Committee of Supply 2024 debate, Day 6: Janil Puthucheary on strengthening Singapore’s healthcare system
Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said there is a need to strengthen Singapore’s healthcare system by proactively encouraging healthier lifestyles and preventing or delaying the onset of poor health. This involves, for example, leveraging the extensive network of family doctors and community partners as necessary. Dr Janil said investments in building new healthcare infrastructure will continue and existing infrastructure will be upgraded. Primary and community care services will also be expanded. He said studies have shown that individuals with a regular family doctor experience better health outcomes, including fewer hospitalisations and emergency department visits. The on-going relationship with the regular doctor allows for deeper understanding and familiarity with patients' medical conditions. In Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 6), Dr Janil said that by 2030, there will be 32 polyclinics and hopefully more clinics on board Healthier SG. He said there will be three new polyclinics in the western region. The existing Clementi and Jurong polyclinics will also be redeveloped by 2030. As society ages, there is a need to ensure that the social and health needs of seniors are adequately supported in the community. Dr Janil said the National Mental Health Office will be fully established by 2025. It will oversee the implementation of various plans under the National Health and Well-being Strategy and shape the development of future mental health issues. Mental health services in the primary and community settings will be scaled up. Nineteen out of the existing 25 polyclinics provide mental health services. In addition, over 450 general practitioners have been trained to support persons with mental health needs. On retention plans for healthcare professionals to support Healthier SG and the shift towards preventive health, Dr Janil said the Ministry of Health is working with the Institutes of Higher Learning to increase local training pipelines. More doctors are also being encouraged to take up postgraduate Family Medicine training. The capabilities of the National Electronic Health Record, a centralised repository of key health information for healthcare professionals, will be enhanced. The upcoming Health Information Bill will also establish the framework to govern the collection, access, use and sharing of selected health information across various settings to facilitate the continuity of care, said Dr Janil.
Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary said there is a need to strengthen Singapore’s healthcare system by proactively encouraging healthier lifestyles and preventing or delaying the onset of poor health. This involves, for example, leveraging the extensive network of family doctors and community partners as necessary. Dr Janil said investments in building new healthcare infrastructure will continue and existing infrastructure will be upgraded. Primary and community care services will also be expanded. He said studies have shown that individuals with a regular family doctor experience better health outcomes, including fewer hospitalisations and emergency department visits. The on-going relationship with the regular doctor allows for deeper understanding and familiarity with patients' medical conditions. In Parliament on Wednesday (Mar 6), Dr Janil said that by 2030, there will be 32 polyclinics and hopefully more clinics on board Healthier SG. He said there will be three new polyclinics in the western region. The existing Clementi and Jurong polyclinics will also be redeveloped by 2030. As society ages, there is a need to ensure that the social and health needs of seniors are adequately supported in the community. Dr Janil said the National Mental Health Office will be fully established by 2025. It will oversee the implementation of various plans under the National Health and Well-being Strategy and shape the development of future mental health issues. Mental health services in the primary and community settings will be scaled up. Nineteen out of the existing 25 polyclinics provide mental health services. In addition, over 450 general practitioners have been trained to support persons with mental health needs. On retention plans for healthcare professionals to support Healthier SG and the shift towards preventive health, Dr Janil said the Ministry of Health is working with the Institutes of Higher Learning to increase local training pipelines. More doctors are also being encouraged to take up postgraduate Family Medicine training. The capabilities of the National Electronic Health Record, a centralised repository of key health information for healthcare professionals, will be enhanced. The upcoming Health Information Bill will also establish the framework to govern the collection, access, use and sharing of selected health information across various settings to facilitate the continuity of care, said Dr Janil.
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