Oral Answer to PQ on Accessible and affordable care for migrant workers
NOTICE PAPER NO. 3198 AND NO 3207 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 12 NOV 2024
QUESTION NO. 6772 AND NO. 6823 FOR COMBINED ORAL ANSWER
MP: Ms Yeo Wan Ling
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what are the key health issues faced by migrant workers in Singapore; and (b) how are these health issues being addressed to increase workplace productivity while ensuring that medical costs to employers are kept affordable in the long term.
MP: Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what measures has the Ministry put in place to ensure that migrant workers have access to proper medical treatment and that they seek timely medical attention; and (b) how has the Ministry ensured that healthcare costs remain affordable for migrant workers.
Answer:
Mr Speaker Sir, may I have your permission to take Oral PQs No. 6772 and 6823 together?
1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has put in place several measures to ensure that migrant workers have access to the medical treatment they need. Under the Employment of the Foreign Manpower Act, employers are required to bear the cost of medical fees incurred by their Work Permit and S Pass holders. To better protect employers from large hospitalisation and surgical expenses, MOM enhanced the mandatory medical insurance for Work Permit and S Pass holders in 2023 by increasing the annual claim limit to $60,000, up from $15,000.
2. In addition, to enhance accessibility and affordability of outpatient primary care for migrant workers, MOM implemented the Primary Care Plan (PCP) in April 2022. Medical Service Providers offering these Primary Care Plans operate in-dorm clinics and outpatient medical centres in the vicinity of migrant worker catchment areas to ensure that workers can see a doctor promptly when they are unwell. The PCP benefits both employers and migrant workers. Employers pay a fixed annual capitation rate, giving them clarity of cost and protection against unexpected healthcare bills. Migrant workers pay a low co-payment fee of $2 and $5 per telehealth and in-person session respectively, so that they are not deterred from seeking medical care when they need it.
3. A study conducted by National University of Singapore (NUS) Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, published in September 2024, found that 96% of migrant workers surveyed were able to access primary health services in Singapore. Migrant workers sought medical attention mostly for acute respiratory infections and musculoskeletal conditions. About 4% of them self-reported to have at least one chronic disease, with hypertension and diabetes being the most prevalent.
4. Recognising that good health management starts from preventive health and chronic disease management, MOM launched Project MOCCA in 2021. Project MOCCA, which stands for “Management of Oral and Chronic Conditions and Ailments”, is a preventive health framework that aims to encourage early detection and management of common chronic and oral health conditions among migrant workers. To raise preventive health awareness, MOM set-up an online Health Library on health education materials in several native languages for easy access by migrant workers. We also produced physical health notebooks for distribution to migrant workers at health roadshows conducted with community partners and PCP doctors. With the support of corporate donors and NGO partners, workers can also receive lower-cost basic dental treatments at some NGO-run dental clinics.
5. MOM has made significant efforts in recent years to enhance the quality of healthcare for migrant workers. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that such quality care is provided at affordable cost. We also urge employers to encourage their migrant workers to make use of the available resources and healthcare services designed for them, as good health management helps employers manage healthcare costs in the long term and increase productivity at work.