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Rising patient volumes lead to waiting times of up to 7.2 hours in Singapore’s hospital emergency departments

Singapore’s Ministry of Health reports increased patient volumes in hospital emergency departments, raising median wait times for ward admissions from five to 7.2 hours. Hospitals are implementing measures to optimize bed capacity and patient flow while urging the public to seek non-emergency care at GP clinics and polyclinics.

Disadvantages of Singapore as an egg freezing destination for mainland China patients

Singapore’s upcoming social egg-freezing policy could attract medical tourists from China, where it is likely to remain banned, opined Dr Alexis Heng Boon Chin, an Associate Professor of Biomedical Science at Peking University, China. He notes that rising costs of living and childcare in many large Chinese cities mean women are increasingly delaying motherhood for career pursuits. Many could benefit from overseas egg freezing but restrictions, such as a maximum age of 35 and a requirement to be married, may hinder Singapore from tapping into this market. Dr Chin also notes that Singapore doesn’t permit preimplantation genetic testing – Aneuploidy (PGT-A), which could lead to a loss of Chinese medical tourists to other countries.

Singapore halts import of live pigs from Indonesia’s Pulau Bulan amid African swine fever outbreak

Singapore has suspended live pig imports from Indonesia’s Pulau Bulan Island due to African swine fever detections. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) confirmed the temporary halt, which may disrupt fresh pork supplies starting 23 April. The agency assures that Singaporean pork remains safe for consumption, emphasizing responsible purchasing and diversification to ensure ample supplies.

Thailand air pollution leads millions to seek medical help

Air pollution in Thailand has caused about 2.4 million people to seek medical treatment since the beginning of the year, with 184,465 hospital admissions this week alone. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are among the most polluted cities in the world, according to IQAir. The main medical problems are respiratory problems, dermatitis, eye inflammation, and sore throats.

Minister Ong: Surge in Covid cases in S’pore not imported but reinfections

Singapore has seen a surge in Covid-19 cases, with 28,400 cases reported in the last week of March, almost double the previous week’s figure. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung disclosed that about 30% of cases in Singapore are now caused by reinfections and urged Singaporeans to take precautions such as wearing masks and getting vaccinated. He also noted that the Arcturus XBB.1.16 sub-variant is now circulating in Singapore.

Singapore sees surge in COVID-19 cases as it transitions into endemic phase

Singapore is experiencing a significant rise in COVID-19 cases due to XBB subvariants as it transitions into the endemic phase. The Ministry of Health expects periodic waves of new infections. Clinics are seeing a twofold increase in patient load, with mild cases being treated symptomatically. While there has been a steady increase in new COVID-19 hospitalizations, there has been a decrease in ICU admissions.

Singapore closes all children vaccination centres amid low demand, move services to selected JTVCs

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) will be consolidating vaccination operations across Children Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres (JTVCs) from 17 April 2023. MOH plans to streamline the vaccination centres to allow for greater flexibility to scale up operations when necessary. Effective 15 April 2023, the CVCs located at Our Tampines Hub, One Punggol Hub, Queenstown Community Centre, Sembawang Community Club, and Taman Jurong Community Centre will close down. Vaccination for children will be relocated to selected JTVCs from 17 April 2023. With this transition, there will be a total of six JTVCs offering COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 6 months to 11 years old.

Japan to scrap virus tests on arrival from China

Japan will stop COVID testing of travellers arriving from mainland China and instead require proof of vaccination or negative test results obtained before departure, ending a policy that had been criticised by Beijing as “discriminatory”. The decision comes after a spat that began in January when several countries imposed new travel rules due to rising COVID cases in China. Chinese tourists constituted around one-third of all visitors to Japan prior to the pandemic.

Malaysian group claims around 8,000 contract doctors will go on strike in April to demand fair treatment

A group of Malaysian doctors has claimed that over 8,000 contract doctors going on strike from 3 to 5 April and advised the public to avoid visiting public hospitals and health clinics for routine treatments during that time as they might expect a long wait. The claim was made via an Instagram account named “Mogok Doktor Malaysia” (Malaysian Doctors on Strike), stating that around 8,000 contract doctors are going on job strike by taking Medical/ Emergency leave, as a protest against the unfair system and low wages.

Malaysian elderly couple dies from suspected pufferfish poisoning

An elderly couple in Malaysia died and were hospitalized after consuming pufferfish purchased from a mobile vendor. The couple’s son reported the incident to the Ministry of Health and has urged for a ban on pufferfish sales. Pufferfish contains tetrodotoxin, which is highly toxic to humans, and can cause adverse effects on health. The neurotoxin can be found in almost all pufferfish, and one fish contains enough to kill at least 30 adult humans.