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MOH appoints expert committee to make recommendations for S’pore’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy

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4 years ago

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An expert committee on COVID-19 vaccination has been appointed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to make recommendations to the government on the country’s vaccination strategy, said the Ministry in a statement on Thursday (12 November).

The 14-member committee, which consists of experts in the field of infectious diseases, immunology, and other relevant fields, will be chaired by Associate Professor Benjamin Ong, who is the Senior Advisor to the Director of Medical Services of MOH.

Members of the committee are:

  • Dr Cheong Wei Yang, deputy secretary of special projects at MOH;
  • Assoc Prof Chong Chia Yin, senior consultant and director at the Division of Medicine at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
  • Professor Nicholas Gascoigne from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS;
  • Assoc Prof Lim Poh Lian, director of the High-Level Isolation Unit at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID);
  • Assoc Prof David Lye, director of the Infectious Diseases Research and Training Office at NCID;
  • Assoc Prof Helen Oh, senior consultant at Changi General Hospital;
  • Dr Lisa Ooi, vice-president of healthcare and wellness at the Economic Development Board;
  • Dr Anuradha Poonepalli, regulatory consultant from the Health Sciences Authority;
  • Assoc Prof Ren Ee Chee, principal investigator at the Singapore Immunology Network under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research;
  • Prof Laurent Renia, senior principal investigator at the Singapore Immunology Network;
  • Dr Benjamin Seet, group chief research officer of the National Healthcare Group;
  • Dr Danny Soon, chief executive officer of the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation Singapore; and
  • Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, chief health scientist at MOH.

MOH said that the committee “will leverage scientific and clinical expertise to assess vaccine candidates, and recommend the appropriate vaccines for use against COVID-19 in Singapore when they become available”.

It will also take into consideration “up-to-date information and assessment of vaccines, closely monitor the global vaccine development landscape, and the stance of authoritative agencies such as the World Health Organization”.

The committee will also assess the safety, efficacy, and suitability of vaccine candidates for different segments of the local population.

It will then make recommendations based on the administration of vaccines to specific segments of the population and the overall vaccine strategy for Singapore.

Convening its first meeting on 13 October, the MOH says that members have met regularly over the past month to discuss profiles of various vaccine candidates and conditions for deployment in Singapore.

Committee chairperson Assoc. Prof Ong said: “Globally, as more vaccine candidates are made available for clinical use, ensuring that vaccines are safe and effective will be a top priority.”

Noting that there are many factors to consider, Assoc. Prof Ong explained that the Committee “will need to closely study the safety and clinical data as they become available, while taking into account our local context, so that we can assess and recommend an appropriate and holistic vaccination strategy that can be put in place for the Singapore population”.

“The safety of Singaporeans is our top priority, and the diverse range of expertise among my colleagues in the Expert Committee will put us in good stead as we deliberate on strategies for the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore,” he added.

In its statement, the MOH said that the country has taken steps to secure access to a portfolio of vaccines for the local population amidst expected strong global demand, adding that it is a “strong supporter and active participant” in driving the work of the global COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility.

The ministry added it has also diversified and broadened its COVID-19 vaccine portfolio with a number of pharmaceutical companies, which have vaccine candidates currently in development so as to improve the chances of securing a suitable vaccine for Singapore.

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Government

PSD announces mid-year bonuses of 0.3 months and one-time payment of up to S$400 for civil servants in Singapore

Singapore’s civil servants will receive mid-year bonuses, with a 0.3-month Annual Variable Component (AVC) and junior grade officers to get an additional one-time payment of up to S$400.

The Public Service Division (PSD) said the decision “takes into consideration the weakened economic outlook, and significant downside risks that remain in the global economy.”

Published

1 year ago

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19 June 2023

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SINGAPORE — The Public Service Division (PSD) revealed on Monday (19 June) its decision to grant mid-year bonuses to civil servants in Singapore.

The government has allocated a mid-year Annual Variable Component (AVC) of 0.3 months for all civil servants. Additionally, junior grade officers will receive an extra one-time payment of up to S$400 (US$298).

The specific amount of the one-time payment depends on the civil servants’ respective job grades.

Civil servants in grades equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14 will receive an additional S$200, while those in grades equivalent to MX15 and MX16, along with those in the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) Grades III and IV, will receive a higher one-time payment of S$400.

PSD said the move comes after close consultations with public sector unions.

“This mid-year payment takes into consideration the weakened economic outlook, and significant downside risks that remain in the global economy.”

According to the PSD’s statement on Monday, Singapore’s economy experienced a modest growth rate of 0.4 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023. This expansion represents a slowdown from the 2.1 percent growth observed in the previous quarter.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has maintained its GDP growth forecast for 2023, estimating a range of “0.5 percent to 2.5 percent.” The government expects growth to settle around the mid-point of this forecast range.

However, there are concerns about the weakened external demand outlook and increased downside risks, including the potential impact of tighter global financial conditions and geopolitical tensions.

“The labour market continued to expand in the first quarter of 2023, albeit at a more moderated pace compared to the previous quarter.”

Total employment expanded for the sixth consecutive quarter, and unemployment rates remained low.

Given this backdrop, the government, in close consultation with public sector unions, has decided to provide all civil servants with a mid-year AVC of 0.3 months.

“In deciding the year-end AVC payments, the Government will continue to monitor the economic situation closely, and take into consideration the guidelines by the National Wages Council which will be released later in the year,” stated the PSD.

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Government

After transport minister’s spot-check at LRT, Malaysia’s health minister too conducts a spot-check at Klang Hospital

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2 years ago

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30 December 2022

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SELANGOR, MALAYSIA —  Malaysia civil servants now may need to have a stronger heart as well as being constantly alert, as some of their ministers might just decide to conduct spot checks at their workplace anytime to check their performance.

After the newly appointed Transport Minister Anthony Loke went incognito on LRT system for a spot-check, netizens also spotted Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa making an unofficial visit to Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah(HTAR) in Klang on 28 December night.

Twitter user Ianiske shared a photo, showing that the minister did make a visit to the hospital, and spoke with some patients there to understand the issues on the ground regarding the public health services.

“Ok, I have checked, ” Ianiske wrote, “the health minister was at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital last night. HAHA.”

“Who would even notice her when she came by like a patient? No wonder she seems like asking people around. No one even realizes that she is the health minister.”

https://twitter.com/ansaleya/status/1608284539729678336

In the subsequent post, Ianiske also suggested that the minister should visit the hospital during peak hours, “Please.. just like my parents often refer to the government hospital. This govt issue has many critical issues.”

The Twitter user added that there are also other problems such as long patient waiting time and parking issue at hospital, hoping that the new Health Minister will look into these issues.

Zaliha: I wish to hear feedback from patients

On Thursday (29 Dec), Dr. Zaliha Mustafa confirmed that she had gone down to monitor the situation at the emergency department of HTAR hospital.

“I wish to hear feedback from patients about the services at HTAR, including the issue of long waiting times in the emergency department. ”

She said during the spot-check, she also heard suggestions from the emergency department workers to improve health services. They also expressed their concern for the issues raised.

“I will also strengthen the initiatives that are already implemented by HTAR before, and will see if they can be used in other emergency departments.”

She added that among the HTAR initiatives include arrangement for a short stay ward for stable patients who are expected to return after two or three days, and manage sick bed usage via digital technology and communication between hospital and public health clinic.

Dr Zaliha also promised to bring back all feedback that she received to the health ministry meeting to further improve the patient waiting time at the hospital’s emergency department.

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