Tan Yia Swam on supporting healthcare
Healthcare spending is the second-highest in the national Budget and this cannot go on indefinitely. Most people only “have a healthcare encounter” when they are sick, which is too late. Singapore must also get ready for a silver tsunami, a mental health crisis and the next pandemic. NMP Tan Yia Swam made these points in Parliament on Tuesday (May 9) when she moved a motion calling on the House to commit to supporting healthcare beyond the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a whole-of-Government effort towards consistent and sustainable support. Dr Tan called on everyone to adopt a mindset change to look after their health and prevent illness. She also called for more support for healthcare workers, with greater respect for the nature of their work. Dr Tan laid out three broad strategies. First - identifying and acknowledging problems. She shared some current concerns ranging from rising business costs in the private sector, a brain drain and problems with poor IT systems, to unregulated wellness and alternative health services and concerns about the capitation model of Healthier SG. Second - education at all levels. She said healthcare financing is very complex but most people do not bother to check treatment costs and subsidies until they have a health issue. She said everyone should also take responsibility for their own health but they need to be empowered on how to do so. Educating people on this from childhood, she said, is the key to sustainable good health. Finally - cross-collaboration. Dr Tan asked how Government ministries and agencies can best pool their resources and reach, and work with industries and other groups to resolve problems. She shared some ideas on how to align future policies to foster healthy lifestyles, improve the healthcare system and help people better navigate it.
Healthcare spending is the second-highest in the national Budget and this cannot go on indefinitely. Most people only “have a healthcare encounter” when they are sick, which is too late. Singapore must also get ready for a silver tsunami, a mental health crisis and the next pandemic. NMP Tan Yia Swam made these points in Parliament on Tuesday (May 9) when she moved a motion calling on the House to commit to supporting healthcare beyond the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a whole-of-Government effort towards consistent and sustainable support. Dr Tan called on everyone to adopt a mindset change to look after their health and prevent illness. She also called for more support for healthcare workers, with greater respect for the nature of their work. Dr Tan laid out three broad strategies. First - identifying and acknowledging problems. She shared some current concerns ranging from rising business costs in the private sector, a brain drain and problems with poor IT systems, to unregulated wellness and alternative health services and concerns about the capitation model of Healthier SG. Second - education at all levels. She said healthcare financing is very complex but most people do not bother to check treatment costs and subsidies until they have a health issue. She said everyone should also take responsibility for their own health but they need to be empowered on how to do so. Educating people on this from childhood, she said, is the key to sustainable good health. Finally - cross-collaboration. Dr Tan asked how Government ministries and agencies can best pool their resources and reach, and work with industries and other groups to resolve problems. She shared some ideas on how to align future policies to foster healthy lifestyles, improve the healthcare system and help people better navigate it.
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