Human Resources: Foreign workers in Singapore may lose Governnment subsidies for hospital care

Foreign workers in Singapore will no longer be treated at polyclinics. Government subsidies for their hospital care may also be withdrawn under new plans to ease overcrowding.

The more than 600,000 foreign workers in Singapore make about 200,000 visits to polyclinics every year, paying the same US$4.84 consultation fee and receiving the same subsidized drugs as Singaporeans.

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the polyclinic visits will stop before the end of this year and that workers can go to clinics run by general practitioners' instead.

He also suggested that medical insurance should be compulsory for all foreign workers, and employers should include it as part of their business costs.