The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Singapore in 6th place out of 191 countries, and hails it as the top country in Asia for outstanding health care. Singapore's health care is also crowned as Asia's regional centre of medical excellence. Singapore's medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with expert medical professionals who have studied overseas.
Composed of 13 private hospitals, 10 government hospitals and a number of specialist clinics, Singapore's health care system ensures that all Singaporeans have access to affordable basic health care, medical services at public hospitals and polyclinics, which are heavily subsidized by the government. But, at the same time, patients are required to co-pay the cost of the medical services that they use.
Singapore has a dual system of health care delivery supported by both public and private sector operators. The public providers include the National Healthcare Group (NHG) and Singapore Health Services (SHS). Patients are free to choose the providers within the dual healthcare delivery system and can walk-in for a consultation at any private clinic or government polyclinic. The clinics are mainly located in housing estates and town centers; a consultation costs between S$10 and S$20 depending on the type of ailment, treatment or prescription given.
Singapore's Ministry of Health regulates all healthcare providers to ensure adequate standards and patient safety. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident and Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals.
Pharmaceuticals are found in numerous outlets comprising of supermarkets, department stores, hotels, and shopping centers. Registered pharmacists are generally open between 9am and 6pm with some pharmacies open later until 10pm. Tourists will be happy to know that most hotels in Singapore have their own doctor on 24-hour call.
Medisave
In a nutshell, all employees in Singapore, be it Singapore Permanent Residents, Singapore Citizens, and the self-employed are obliged by Singaporean Law to make a payment to Medisave from their CPF (Central Provident Fund) account. The Medisave funds are used to pay for hospital expenses for the contributor as well as their dependents. Dependants are defined as spouse, children, parents and grandparents who are Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents.
Medisave can also be used to purchase Medishield, a medical insurance scheme, or a non-CPF medical insurance like Incomeshield. However, you cannot acquire both Medishield and another non-CPF medical insurance.
Hospitals
Notable top health care establishments are the Singapore General Hospital, the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the National University Hospital, the Gleneagles and the Mount Elizabeth Hospital. These hospitals also have a specialist outpatient service that has 24-hour accident and emergency services.
Furthermore, Singapore has six specialty institutes for dentistry, neuroscience, cardiology, oncology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. There are also tertiary hospitals like the National University Hospital and the Singapore General Hospital, which specialize in fields such as renal medicine, cardiology, neurology, hematoma, radiotherapy, oncology, reconstructive and plastic surgery, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, transplant surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery. Five other public hospitals provide specific specialist services including mental healthcare, maternity, sub-acute care and infectious diseases.
Travelers and expats taking a regular course of medication should be aware that prescriptions from your own country are not valid in Singapore. All Singaporean pharmacies require medical prescriptions from locally registered medical doctors. Patients must bring along their prescriptions with them so that the local doctor can prescribe the necessary drugs.
Non-Singaporeans have to pay 30% more than the fees that are charged to citizens and permanent residents.
Dental Services
The government runs 13 dental clinics and private dental clinics are also available and conveniently located in the city centre and around housing estates.
