Now, if you’re a foreigner who has a work pass, student pass or any long-term pass in Singapore, don’t panic: this doesn’t involve you.
Because you’re considered a “Singapore resident” so you can still see the doctor if you need to, and will still receive free treatment if you kena COVID-19. After all, you can’t just contract it elsewhere and purposely come to Singapore for treatment, right?
But anyways.
MOH Advising Doctors in S’pore to Stop or Defer Foreigners Who Don’t Live in S’pore
According to an internal circular that was seen by The Straits Times, MOH has advised all doctors in private and public hospitals in Singapore to immediately “stop or defer accepting” new foreign patients who do not reside in Singapore.
In other words, people like tourists or anyone who hold a short-term visit pass in Singapore.
The reason is “to conserve limited healthcare resources for Singapore to cater to managing Covid-19 cases as well as the existing needs of our local patients.”
After all, remember: we now have a whopping 385 confirmed cases and 2 deaths so far.
So what’ll happen to the foreigners then?
Doctors are to instruct them to encourage them to seek continued care in their home country.
According to the circular, “Failure of the specialist to comply with the above may adversely impact public health and safety, and as such, will result in more stringent considerations of subsequent applications by MOH.”
That was sent two days ago, on Thursday.
If it is really necessary, the doctors would have to apply to MOH for a wavier.
And for that to happen, the patients must have healthcare needs that can’t be met in his or her home country or must be already under the doctor’s care (i.e. existing patient).
Also, the doctor must prove that delayed treatment would lead to “serious adverse outcomes”.
Wait…This is Confusing
Now, this might be confusing: how can we stop or defer a patient who could potentially be a coronavirus carrier?
Don’t be: the circular is for all illnesses—in other words, for foreigners who come to Singapore just for the sole purpose of seeking treatment for other illnesses.
You do know that other than being a financial hub and a foodie’s heaven, we are also a medical hub, right?
So this news probably won’t impact you, except for the fact that we now know MOH’s prepared for more COVID-19 cases.
