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SINGAPORE WILL FROM next month stop paying coronavirus medical bills of those who are unvaccinated by choice, officials have said, as a fierce outbreak put the city-state’s healthcare system under strain.
The tiny country is experiencing its worst Covid-19 wave since the start of the pandemic, reporting around 2,000-3,000 cases a day and a handful of deaths.
The government had always covered the medical bills of all Singaporeans and other residents in certain categories infected with the virus, except for those who tested positive soon after returning from overseas.
But from 8 December, authorities will begin charging Covid-19 patients who are unvaccinated by choice, the ministry of health said yesterday.
“Unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately contribute to the strain on our healthcare resources,” the ministry said in a statement.
Those affected will still be able to use regular financing arrangements to cover the cost, such as private insurance.
Bills for those who are ineligible for vaccination — such as children under 12 or those with certain medical conditions — will still be fully paid.
Singapore has one of the world’s highest vaccination rates, with 85 percent of its 5.5 million population fully inoculated.
It has had a mild outbreak by global standards, and only faced a substantial virus wave in recent months after being hit by the Delta variant.
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It’s a tough old world out there great initiative by The Mental services to address this at the core of the problem durning the ploughing championship
It’s sad to see only one comment on this issue, yet when farmers try to stand up for themselves in this country, the comment section lights up with negative comments towards them. When did we stop caring about others.
We have all fallen foul of the divisions, you are very very right. We should check ourselves.
@martina. I don’t believe it’s anti-farmer sentiment or disrespect it’s just that many urban dwellers are sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, cousins of those that left/stayed on the land and are included in the stats in the headline under ‘farmers family members’ and is therefore information already known by them. Firsthand.
Totally agree
—-Discussing the wider issue and the stigma of mental health issues
Let me see if I understand you: Someone’s prejudice is my stigma? I assure you it is not.
No matter how many times you repeat it, no one’s prejudice is someone else’s “stigma.”
have your say