Hospital beds increase 997 vs population increase 1.44m?

December 28, 2015

New Yishun Community Hospital will add 428 beds

I refer to the article “New Yishun Community Hospital opens to patients” (Straits Times, Dec 28).

It states that “The 428-bedded hospital, which offers rehabilitative, sub-acute, dementia and palliative care, is opening in phases and will start with five subsidised wards, or 170 beds”.

12,933 total hospital beds?

According to the Department of Statistics’ Yearbook of Statistics 2015 – in 2014, there were a total of 12,505 hospital beds“.

Adding the 428 beds from this new hospital gives a total of 12,933  beds (12,505 + 428).

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

Increase of only 997 beds from 2001 to 2015?

So, does it mean that the total number of hospital beds in Singapore only increased by about 8.4 per cent (12,933 divided by 11,936 beds) or about 997 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.

Reciprocate trust with more help?

Since the people have given their trust and mandate – we should 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.