PUBLIC HEALTHCARE is transforming to serve Singaporeans, and to keep healthcare affordable. One of the key changes is a more flexible MediSave which can manage diseases earlier.
Approximately 915,000 Singaporeans, including those with complex chronic illnesses, can withdraw up to $1,000 under the MediSave Chronic and Preventive Care Scheme from 1 January 2027. They can use the money to pay for costs like vaccinations, consultations and medications.
The scheme is a renamed and enhanced version of the MediSave500/700 scheme (which had a $700 limit).
“We will also expand the list of conditions covered under the CDMP [Chronic Disease Management Programme] to include hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism,” added Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung (5 Mar). “In addition, we are studying whether we can include other chronic conditions such as eczema.”
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Minister Ong detailed the more flexible Medisave and expanded CDMP coverage during the Committee of Supply debate on public healthcare with PAP MPs including Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC).
“In Singapore, one in five children and one in 10 adults endure the constant debilitating itch of atopic eczema. The cost of continuous treatment, including wet wraps and phototherapy, is a significant financial and emotional burden,” said MP Cai. “Will the Ministry consider adding atopic eczema to the Chronic Disease Management Programme, which already covers similar conditions like psoriasis?”
Other PAP MPs, including Mariam Jafaar (Sembawang GRC) and Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC), raised a brace of questions in Parliament, closely scrutinising MOH’s plans.
Mariam Jaafar pushes for improving community health
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MP Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang GRC) wants the Government to involve residents directly in co-designing health interventions that reflect needs on the ground. She also pushed for community-based care and caregiver support to be strengthened, covering more conditions.
“Healthcare communities don’t just happen by chance. They are designed,” she said. “If we can redesign a town for health, we can redesign a nation.”
Minister of State for Health Rahayu Mahzam responded that the Health Promotion Board will work closer with local community partners to help more residents join workout and exercise sessions in neighbourhood locations like plazas and malls.
A refreshed Healthy 365 app with localised wayfinding and gamification features is also in the works to keep residents healthy and active.
“For example, residents may be prompted to complete a brisk walk along park connectors or trails within their neighbourhood, and complete digital ‘check-ins’ at designated points,” she said. “This feature will roll out progressively from June 2026.”
Wan Rizal calls for future-proofing Singapore’s mental health system
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With mental health services experiencing growing demand from seniors, working adults and young people, MP Wan Rizal (Jalan Besar GRC) asked if Singapore’s mental health system can sustain the growing demand ahead.
“Clinical psychologists and other higher-risk psychology disciplines undergo years of rigorous postgraduate training and supervised practice. Standards must remain high. Patient Safety depends on it,” he said. “Are there plans to strengthen the local training pipeline and supervision capacity; to build a strong local core while maintaining professional standards?”
In response, Senior Minister of State for Health Koh Poh Koon detailed how the Ministry of Health (MOH) has worked together with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the National University of Singapore, and developed an accelerated Master’s course in clinical psychology.
“This new accelerated pathway, for undergraduate-to-Master’s pathway, can be completed in five years,” he said. “This curriculum comprises didactic learning and clinical training during the undergraduate years, developing practitioners with knowledge and skills to care for their patients.”
The new pathway is for undergraduates who have decided to specialise in clinical psychology early in their academic journey; the current general training model for a Master’s in clinical psychology takes seven years.
Ng Chee Meng: More support for more caregivers
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MP Ng Chee Meng (Jalan Kayu SMC) pointed out a sobering statistic: One in two Singaporeans who are healthy at 65 are expected to develop severe disability at some point in their lifetime.
“This means that many Singaporeans will become caregivers at some point,” he said. “[Will] the Ministry …consider expanding the means-tested Home Caregiving Grant to provide more support for more caregivers? Including those who care for family members who require assistance with one to two Activities of Daily Living (ADL), below the current eligibility of three Activities of Daily Living today.”
Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How replied that MOH will raise the per capita household income for long-term caregiving subsidies and grants to $4,800, up from $3,600.
The caregiving help is not dependent on the number of ADL needs.
“Last year, caregivers of over 14,000 seniors benefitted from subsidised home and centre-based respite services. We will do more,” he added. “From 1st April, more than 5,600 eligible seniors and their caregivers can benefit from the enhanced Home Personal Care — or HPC+ service — featuring home-based respite care, medication reminders and 24/7 technology-enabled monitoring for fall detection and incident reporting.”
