Singapore to bill unvaccinated COVID-19 patients as fresh infections surge across island
Unvaccinated patients in Singapore will have to pay their own medical bills from next month as the island nation tries to come to grips with a worrying COVID-19 caseload.
In the past 24 hours, Singapore reported 14 deaths from coronavirus and 2,470 new cases. Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) says the government has been paying full coronavirus medical costs of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term pass holders since the pandemic began. This does not include those residents who test positive after returning from overseas travel. But from December 8, all COVID-19 patients in Singapore who are eligible for vaccination but choose not to do so will need to cover their own medical expenses.
Those patients who have received only one jab will not be charged by doctors and hospitals for coronavirus treatment until December 31 to allow them to complete their vaccination.
In explaining its decision, the MOH said unvaccinated people disproportionately contribute to the strain on Singapore's health care system because they represent the majority of patients who need intensive care for COVID-19.Children who are below 12 and those who are medically unable to receive vaccines will still have their bills covered by Singapore authorities. "[The government has paid for medical expenses] to avoid financial considerations adding to public uncertainty and concern when COVID-19 was an emergent and unfamiliar disease," the MOH said in a statement.
"For the majority who are vaccinated, this special approach for COVID-19 bills will continue until the COVID-19 situation is more stable. "Singapore is one of the world's most inoculated countries with more than 85 per cent of the population having received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, with 18 per cent given booster shots. Among its elderly population, 94 per cent of people between the ages of 60 to 69, and 90 per cent of those aged 70 and older have been double dosed. Of the new COVID-19 cases, 2,307 were reported in the community with 156 infections in migrant worker dormitories and seven imported cases. Meanwhile, Singapore and Malaysia will allow quarantine-free travel between both countries for individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 later this month, according to a joint statement released on Monday. The neighbours will launch a vaccinated travel lane between Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport from November 29, the statement said.
