MOH to Undergo Restructuring for Future Pandemic Preparedness, Updates to Infectious Diseases Legislation: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE: Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung delivered an assessment of the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Parliament on Mar. 21, 2023, announcing several key reforms to prepare Singapore for future pandemics. The MOH will be restructured, with plans to set up a new Communicable Diseases Agency and establish a Healthcare Reserve Force to strengthen crisis response. Ong also revealed plans to update Singapore’s Infectious Diseases Act (IDA), which he described as “too blunt and heavy” for the nuanced response required in future crises.

Ong highlighted three crucial judgment calls made during the pandemic: protecting hospital capacity, garnering public support for vaccination, and timing the decision to open up. He emphasized that while different regions took their own paths, Singapore’s measures—guided by protecting hospitals from being overwhelmed—helped avoid the massive death tolls seen in other countries.

The minister outlined six areas of improvement for Singapore’s healthcare system, including bolstering preparedness, addressing hospital capacity challenges, restructuring MOH, securing future vaccines and medical supplies, and strengthening legislation. The restructuring will include retaining a crisis strategy team and integrating public health and clinical capabilities for long-term pandemic response.

Ong also shared that Singapore’s colour-coded DORSCON alert system will be replaced with four situational tiers—Baseline, Outbreak Management, Public Health Threat, and Public Health Emergency—to provide clearer communication on the severity of health crises.

The legislative updates and new initiatives are aimed at ensuring Singapore is better equipped to handle future health emergencies while minimizing disruptions and protecting lives.