Taking lessons learnt from past crises might be the answer. We know that virtual consultations had been a shot in the arm when the pandemic hit. Telehealth came into focus as a key enabler of Singapore’s healthcare system then.
In his recent Budget 2023 statement, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said that one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above by 2030, up from one in six today. As we commemorate World Health Day next Friday (April 7), it is as much an opportunity to reflect on key public health successes as it is to start tackling the health challenges of tomorrow. For Singapore, the next big dilemma is clear: its rapidly ageing population.
Coping with this will entail an increase in manpower demand across hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and community active ageing centres, among others. While the Ministry of Health has allocated a significant portion of its budget to recruiting, training and retaining staff, the pressure on healthcare workers will continue to mount as demand for their services far outstrips supply.
