S'pore to revamp health policy

S'pore to revamp health policy

SINGAPORE: Foreign workers will no longer be treated at
polyclinics and government subsidies for their hospital care may
also be withdrawn under plans published on Monday to ease
overcrowding.

The more than 600,000 foreign workers in Singapore make about
200,000 visits to polyclinics every year, paying the same 8-
Singapore-dollar (US$4.84) consultation fee and receiving the
same subsidized drugs as Singaporeans.

Filipinos, Indonesians, Thais, Malaysians, Indians, Sri
Lankans and Bangladeshis are among Asians working in the city-
state, primarily in the construction sector or as maids.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the polyclinic visits
will stop before the end of this year and that workers can go to
clinics run by general practitioners' instead.

Their fees range from 20 Singapore dollars (US$12) to 50
Singapore dollars (US$30) including medicine.

Withdrawing the hospital subsidy is more complex, with amounts
paid much larger.

"The easiest way to organize it is to make medical insurance
compulsory for all foreign workers," The Straits Times quoted
Khaw as saying. -- DPA