Salma Khalik

Singapore

Senior Correspondent at The Straits Times

Straits Times Senior Health Correspondent

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Articles

Healthcare spending could hit $30 billion a year by 2030: Ong Ye Kung

2 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE - Spending on healthcare in Singapore could soon become the single biggest item in the Government’s coffers, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, as he assured Singaporeans that their basic healthcare needs will continue to be affordable. In 2025, the Government has set aside $20.9 billion for health, second only to spending on defence, which has a budget of $23.4 billion.
Healthcare financing in Singapore: 10 questions for DPM Gan and Health Minister Ong

2 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE – Singapore is known for its good healthcare, which has contributed to its people being among the longest-lived in the world, with an average lifespan exceeding 83 years. However, with an ageing population pushing up demand for healthcare and costs going up year after year, will Singapore be able to continue offering good healthcare at affordable prices?
Healthier SG could boost Singapore’s Blue Zone status

2 weeks ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE - Blue Zones are places where people live exceptionally long lives due to their naturally healthy lifestyles that combine physical activity, healthy food, low stress and strong social interactions. These factors are not usually associated with Singapore.
Singapore machine to strengthen muscles approved for clinical use locally and in the US

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE – A Singapore-developed device to strengthen muscles and reduce pain has gained approval from health regulators in Singapore and the US – allowing it to be sold as a medical device in both countries. Called Quantum Mitohormesis (QMT), the device uses magnetic pulses to stimulate and regenerate muscle cells, a process similar to what happens during exercise. It is the next-generation version of the Bixeps device, which has been available here for some years as a fitness device.
More subsidies for Singaporeans, amid rising medical costs: Ong Ye Kung

1 month ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE - Government spending on healthcare is expected to shoot up from the $21 billion set aside for 2025 to more than $30 billion by 2030. To help people afford the healthcare they need as costs keep rising, the Government will increase subsidies for dental and long term care, and also increase the amount they can use from their Medisave accounts to pay for their outpatient treatments.
Budget 2025: More help for seniors, including those living in private property

2 months ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE - Seniors will get more help to outfit their homes with age-friendly features, pay for their medical needs and receive higher subsidies should they require long term care. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme which till now was limited to HDB dwellers, will be extended to seniors living in private property - for three years, up to 2028.
Singapore’s pioneer kidney transplant surgeon dies at age 95

2 months ago | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE – On July 8, 1970, Dr Chan Kong Thoe created medical history in Singapore when he gave Ms Doreen Tan, then 29, a new lease of life with the country’s first kidney transplant. In the 55 years since then, surgeons here have done thousands of kidney transplants – with organs from living and dead donors. Transplants give patients with kidney failure a longer life expectancy, as well as better quality of life. On Feb 1, 2025, Dr Chan died at the age of 95.
Great Eastern IPs make it a lot more expensive to seek treatment in higher-class ward

Jan 19, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE - Insurance company Great Eastern Life (GE) has reduced coverage for its integrated shield plans (IPs) when a policyholder opts for a higher class of treatment. Someone with a Class A IP policy who had recontracted with GE from October 2024 and seeks treatment in the private sector, would have only 35 per cent of the bill covered by insurance – down from 70 per cent previously.
Benefits of pseudoephedrine decongestant outweigh risks: HSA

Jan 17, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE – The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said the benefits of pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in 31 medications here, outweigh the risks it poses, in response to reports overseas of adverse effects. The regulatory body told The Straits Times on Jan 15 that it has not received any local report of severe adverse effects associated with medicines containing pseudoephedrine, “which have a widespread and long history of use”. Such medications include Clarityn-D, Telfast-D and Sudafed.
Drugs with decongestant pseudoephedrine can be taken but with caution: Experts

Jan 11, 2025 | straitstimes.com | Salma Khalik

SINGAPORE – There is no need to discard medications containing decongestant pseudoephedrine unless an individual has serious medical conditions like uncontrolled hypertension or kidney failure that increase the risk of serious side effects, said medical experts. However, they stressed the importance of adhering strictly to the prescribed dosage and seeking immediate medical attention if unusual symptoms such as nausea and visual disturbances emerge.