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Foreign workers will no longer be treated at polyclinics and government subsidies for their hospital care may also be withdrawn under plans published on Monday to ease overcrowding.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