404 increase in hospital beds against 1.44m increase in population?

October 11, 2015

Hospital opening ahead of schedule

I refer to the article “Ng Teng Fong hospital opening ahead of schedule” (Sunday Times, Oct 11).

It states that “The hospital, which took in its first patient on June 30, started operating with 365 beds. Today, 500 of its 700 beds are in use … and the adjoining 400-bed Jurong Community Hospital”.

11,230 total hospital beds?

According to the Ministry of Health’s web site – “In 2014, there were a total of 11,230 hospital beds“.

Adding the 1,110 beds from these two new hospitals gives a total of 12, 340 beds (11,230 + 1,100).

According to the Department of Statistics –  the number of total hospital beds was 11,936 in 2001.

Increase of only 404 beds from 2001 to 2015?

So, does it mean that the total number of hospital beds in Singapore only increased by about 3.4 per cent (12,340 divided by 11,936 beds) or about 404 beds from 2001 to now?

Population increased by 1.44m?

Against this, the population has increased by 35.1 per cent from 4.1 million in 2001 to 5.54 million in June 2015.

As to “Ultimately, Singaporeans must be willing to support the system and support the Government when it tries to keep the system efficient, accessible and sustainable” (“‘Crucial to ‘keep getting healthcare right‘”, Straits Times, Oct 11) – shouldn’t the Government also do its part to support the system?

Reciprocate trust with more transparency?

Since the people have given their trust and mandate – shouldn’t we reciprocate by being more transparent?

We should also spend more to help Singaporeans.

Leong Sze Hian

 

 

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.