Only 2 yuan to see a doctor? This policy benefits 490,000 migrant workers in Singapore

On 7 January 2025, Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Tan Sze Loong, replied in Parliament in writing to Marine Parade GRC MP Hora Mi about the access to healthcare services for migrant workers following the introduction of the Primary Healthcare Scheme.

The following is a translation of the Singapore Eye based on Parliamentary sources:

Valve Homi (MP for Marine Parade GRC) asked the Minister for Manpower:

(a) Since the launch of the Primary Care Plan (PCP) in 2022, how many migrant workers have benefited from the program and received primary medical services?

(b) What indicators has HRMD used to measure the success of PCP?

(c) Has the employer reported on the financial benefits of using PCPs for migrant workers, particularly in reducing healthcare-related absences and maintaining productivity?

Dr. Tan Sze Long (Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry): Currently, more than 490,000 migrant workers are enrolled in the Primary Healthcare Programme (PCP).

Primary Healthcare Plans (PCPs) provide quality, accessible, and affordable medical care to migrant workers. Designated healthcare providers must comply with licensing and regulatory standards set by the Ministry of Health and meet clinical service quality and patient safety requirements set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Suppliers must hire staff who speak the migrant worker's native language and translate medical information and treatment plans so that the migrant worker can easily understand them. Clinics and medical centers must be located near migrant worker gathering areas, such as dormitories. Migrant workers only pay a flat fee of S$2 per telehealth and S$5 per in-person visit to ensure they don't forgo medical treatment due to cost issues.

A study conducted by the National University of Singapore's Swee Hock School of Public Health found that medical centres and in-residence clinics operated by Primary Healthcare Programme (PCP) providers are the most common places for foreign workers due to their affordability, proximity and convenience. The Ministry of Manpower also conducts regular service satisfaction surveys, and to date, the majority of foreign workers are satisfied with the Primary Medical Plan (PCP) and its services.

Primary Care Plans (PCPs) provide employers with cost predictability and transparency and protect them from unexpected medical bills through a fixed annual capitation rate. Employers can expect to save at least 20% per worker through the Primary Care Plan (PCP) compared to the expected annual consultation costs for general clinics. The Ministry of Manpower will continue to communicate with employers to gather feedback on the Primary Healthcare Program (PCP) and ensure that quality healthcare services are provided at an affordable cost. We urge employers to encourage migrant workers to adopt good healthcare habits, especially preventive medical treatment, to better manage workers' healthcare costs and improve job productivity in the long term.

The following is the content of the question in English:

Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman asked the Minister for Manpower (a) since the introduction of the Primary Care Plan (PCP) in 2022, how many migrant workers have benefited from access to primary care services under this programme; (b) what metrics has the Ministry used to measure the success of the PCP; and (c) whether any financial benefits have been reported by employers as a result of migrant workers’ access to the PCP, particularly in terms of reducing healthcare-related absences and maintaining productivity.

Dr Tan See Leng: Currently, there are more than 490,000 migrant workers enrolled in the Primary Care Plan (PCP).

PCP provides quality, accessible and affordable care to migrant workers. Appointed medical service providers must adhere to licensing and regulatory standards by the Ministry of Health and meet clinical quality and patient safety requirements specified by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Providers must employ staff who can speak the migrant workers’ native languages and must provide translations of healthcare materials and medical and treatment plans in such languages. Clinics and medical centres must be located in the vicinity of migrant worker catchment areas, such as dormitories. Migrant workers pay a fixed co-payment fee of $2 per telehealth session or $5 per in-person session, so that they are not deterred from seeking medical care.

A study conducted by the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health found that the medical centres and in-dormitory clinics operated by our PCP medical service providers were the most visited by migrant workers due to their affordability, proximity and convenience. MOM also regularly performs service satisfaction surveys and, thus far, majority of migrant workers are satisfied with PCP and its services.

PCP offers employers predictability and clarity of cost and protection against unexpected healthcare bills through a fixed annual capitation rate. With PCP, employers expect to save at least 20% when compared to the expected annual cost of consultations at General Practitioner clinics for each worker. MOM will continue to engage employers to gather feedback on PCP and ensure that quality care is provided at an affordable cost. We urge employers to encourage good health-seeking behaviours for their migrant workers, especially for preventive care, to better manage worker healthcare costs in the long term and increase productivity at work.

CF丨Editor

Edited by CF丨

Singapore Parliament丨Source

Singapore Parliament丨Source

1. The copyright of all works on this website that indicates the type of article as "original" belongs to Kannanyang and Singapore Eye. When reprinting and using by other media, websites or individuals, they must indicate: "Article source: Singapore Eye".

2. All works indicated on this website as "reprinted" or "compiled" are reprinted or compiled from other media, for the purpose of conveying more valuable information, and it does not mean that this website agrees with its views and is responsible for its authenticity.