Denise Phua on Singapore’s COVID-19 response

Singapore’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while not perfect, is one of the best in the world, said MP Denise Phua. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 21), she said she is glad that the White Paper not only highlighted what Singapore did well in, but also where it fell short and how it can improve. She urged the Government to better support persons with disabilities in future pandemics. Firstly, it has to adopt a universal design approach so that the vulnerable are included upstream at the highest operations level. The new centre for public health and dedicated team for planning announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong must include an arm to look into the key vulnerable groups, such as the disabled and elderly, she said. Secondly, the Government must ensure outreach to the disabled in mainstream communication channels, such as television and newspapers. Thirdly, Singapore needs to develop a playbook for inclusive pandemic policies and practices at the national level.