Ng Ling Ling on Healthcare Services (Amendment) Bill

Future-proofing the healthcare system and protecting the public and patients are paramount. A duty of care should be a guiding ethic and principle not just for doctors, but for all players in the healthcare sector, said MP Ng Ling Ling. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Mar 6), she shared her observation from Singapore's success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic so well. She singled out the country’s panel of highly qualified and respected healthcare experts with the humility to consult local and global healthcare experts and use data and evidence to make recommendations and decisions to political leaders. She wanted to know if the Ministry of Health should be more explicit in the amendment Bill to provide room for having such an advisory panel of highly qualified medical and non-medical experts to present more comprehensive inputs in approvals. These include researchers, health tech experts and even community leaders who are committed to the best health interests of Singaporeans. Ms Ng also wanted to know if there will be grey areas with the implementation of Healthier SG and stepped-up preventive health.