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Health Singapore:
Doctors, Clinics, Hospitals, Medical Services
Health in Singapore The information given in this section was chosen to assist expatriates who suddenly face medical problems on arrival and when they settle down in Singapore. We have listed all hospitals in Singapore, and mainly listed specialists and clinics which are consulted by a number of expatriates but there are many more competent and highly qualified health specialist in Singapore. You may also ask your foreign mission for information on doctors and clinics.
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There are a large number of modern private and government hospitals in Singapore, clinics and polyclinics providing inpatient and outpatient as well as 24-hour accident and emergency services. |
enterAsia Information Services Pte Ltd do not guarantee the accuracy of the information as all information contained is intended for general knowledge and guide and not as specific advice or recommendation. The Singapore Civil Defence Force also will use helicopters to pick up emergency victims from nearby islands and shipping lanes. Note down their number when going on holiday in the nearby region.
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See also Emergency Info
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So often health care is well down on the list of ‘things to do’ when moving overseas. You probably make sure you have insurance, but you don’t worry too much about the health services you will need until you settle into your new destination. But maintaining well being is essential if you are to enjoy your new environment, and knowing where you can get help when you do need assistance will be one less thing to worry about. |
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Avian Influenza
For visitors to the country especially to the main cities and resort areas bird flu poses no problem provided you take care. Obviously poultry farms should be avoided but many people particularly in rural areas keep poultry and ducks for home consumption which could pose a danger to visitors. Do not wander through animal markets. Flesh that is thoroughly cooked will not be infectious but you may feel it safer not to have poultry at all.
As previously outlined a month ago travellers and tourists are at no risk provided sensible precautions are taken. Avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live poultry are raised or kept, and avoid contact with sick or dead poultry. As with other infectious illnesses, one of the most important preventive practices is careful and frequent hand washing. Cleaning your hands often, using either soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand rubs, removes potentially infectious materials from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission. Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat; therefore all foods from poultry and ducks, including eggs and blood, should be thoroughly cooked. An additional precaution against the international spread of the disease must be mentioned. Travellers who have visited a farm while in an affected country must ensure that clothing and footwear worn on the farm are free from soil and manure before entering another country and Clothing should be laundered after arrival.
Source: IMC + Travel Doctor
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Dengue Fever Dengue Alert!
Dengue fever and the related dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) are still on the rise in Singapore. The total number of cases so far this year is 8308. This is close to double the number of cases for the same period in 2004 and rising. Seven people have died from Dengue so far this year.
How do I know if I have Dengue?
Dengue is characterised by an abrupt onset of high fever lasting 2 to 7 days, severe headache, severe muscle and joint pain and also abdominal pain. Not for nothing is the local name “break-bone fever”. After about 3 to 5 days, a typical rash appears –flushed skin with little red bumps and islands of normal skin (see picture). This is usually after the fever subsides and the patient starts to feel better.
However, this is also the more dangerous phase of the illness as the blood platelet levels start to drop. Platelets are essential for blood to clot. Bleeding can then happen. This is known as dengue haemorrhagic fever and happens in only about 3% of cases. This is manifested as bleeding spots under the skin, nose or gum bleeding or worse; bleeding in the stomach or intestines, which can be life-threatening. DHF is more common if you have previously had dengue.
Most young children do not show symptoms when affected with dengue. Adults usually do. Most cases of dengue fever are self-limiting and last about 10 days to 4 weeks. However, due to the risk of DHF, you should seek medical diagnosis and management.
How Can I Prevent Dengue?
Unfortunately there is still no vaccine or medicine for protection against dengue fever.
Dengue is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It is located both in urban and rural areas. Aedes mosquitoes breed in small pools of stagnant water like blocked roof gutters, car tyres, outdoor plant pot bases, and flower vases. Do check your home regularly and empty out any collected water every 2-3 days. If you’re going on a long holiday make sure your toilets and floor traps are also covered and any containers that can collect water are not left out in the garden or balcony. Educate your domestic helper to be vigilant about these measures. Get your house fogged regularly.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) carries out investigations and fogging around the residence or work place of reported cases of dengue. You would do well to take note of these visits and co-operate with them.
On a personal level, insect avoidance measures using repellents like RID will also help (see our patient infor-mation sheets on Dengue, Insect Avoidance, and RID & DEET).
Source: International Medical Clinic
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Spotted a Mosquito Breeding Site? |
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFM)
This year the predominant strain of virus causing HFMD is EV71. This has caused some concern because this strain has been associated with some serious complications such as inflammation of the heart and the nervous system. Not every affected child will have these complications because they occur only occasionally and are more likely to affect children less than 5 years of age.
The common symptoms are fever lasting 2-3 days, sore throat, red spots or blisters on palms and soles, mouth ulcers, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. The disease is spread by close contact and indirectly by contaminated articles. The first week is the most contagious.
Affected children should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered. They will need a doctor’s certification that they are fit to resume schooling. Maintaining high standards of personal hygiene and disinfecting premises and toys with diluted bleach solution (one part household bleach and ten parts water) will help prevent the spread of the virus.
Who gets HFM disease?
The disease usually occurs in children under 10, being more common in the younger age groups.
How is it spread?
The disease is spread by direct contact with discharges from nose/mouth or faeces of infected people.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can include fever, malaise and sore throat which may appear 3-5 days after exposure, usually followed by the rash 1-2 days later. The rash usually fades after 7-10 days.
What can be done to prevent its spread?
Children with the symptoms or rash should be excluded from school/child care until resolution. Thorough hand washing, cleaning of toys and care changing diapers are all important.
Is there a risk for pregnant women?
This is uncertain, and pregnant women are advised to consult their specialist.
Source: International Medical Clinic
Emergency Care
If you call 995 you are picked up by the Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) of the Singapore Defense Force which is manned by qualified personnel trained to stabilize patients and take them to the nearest designated hospital.
The patient will not be sent to a hospital of their choice! Instead they are sent to the Tan Tock Seng Hospital - and if this overcrowded - to the nearest designated hospital with accident and emergency facilities listed below.
However, you may be transferred to the hospital of your choice at a later time. Official response time is eight minutes with some individuals reporting a response time of 15 - 20 minutes. Your emergency call is handled through a computer systemm (Cubicon) that chooses the ambulance closest to your location.
Therefore it is very important to listen to the adress repeated by the fire station disptacher to avoid misunderstandings and delays. You also have to give information on the nature of the emergency.
Charges are $60 one way during office hours and $80 after office hours to a government hospital. The charge for ferrying of non-emergency cases will be $120.
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Dangerous Creepy Crawlies in Singapore
Several animals and insects in Singapore can cause unpleasant bites or stings. These include wasps, bees, centipedes, scorpions, snakes and spiders. Here are some symptoms to look out for and first aid measures to take if someone is stung or bitten.
Wasps & Bees
Wasps and bees have stingers that deliver venom and cause pain when injected into the skin. Honeybees sting once and leave a stinger in the wound while wasps and hornets can sting many times. Most people who are stung by an insect will have redness, itching, swelling, and some pain around the sting site. People who are allergic to insect stings may experience rashes, itch, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, puffiness of the eyes, lips, tongue and throat, and difficulty breathing.
Non-allergic victims who receive multiple stings can also develop serious complications.
Scorpions, Spiders and Centipedes
Scorpions, spiders and centipedes in Singapore are venomous but are not fatal to human beings. Scorpions sting with their barbed tails while centipedes and spiders inject venom. The site of stings or bites may become red, itchy, swollen and painful. Some people may be allergic to the venom, or to the hairs of tarantula spiders.
Snakes
Snakes do not usually attack humans unless they are disturbed or threatened. They will first warn the human by baring their fangs, making hissing noises and getting into a classic S-shape position. A bite from a non-venomous snake looks like a row of teeth bites while the bite from a venomous snake looks like double fang marks. Snakebites will be painful, swollen and numb within 15 minutes.
| Snake venom may also cause symptoms of muscle aches, blurred vision, drowsiness and spasm of the jaw. Sometimes the snake's tooth may dislodge inside the wound. There are several species of snakes in Singapore. The python and boa constrictor kill their prey by constriction and are not venomous. However, they will bite if provoked. The viper and king cobra are venomous snakes. |
| First aid for stings and bites | |
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Stay calm. |
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Wash the sting or bite site with soap and water. |
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Wrap a few ice cubes in a towel and apply on the area for 10-15 minutes to stop the pain and swelling. |
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To prevent frostbite, do not apply ice directly on the sting area. |
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If there is eye irritation, rinse the eye under gently running cool water for at least 15 minutes |
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Prevent run-off water from entering the unaffected eye. |
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For bee stings, scrape out the stinger with a stiff object like a credit card. |
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Do not touch the stinger sac or pull it out yourself as this would inject more venom into the wound. |
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For snake bites, lay the victim flat. Immobilise the bitten limb, using a splint if possible and position it below the level of the heart. |
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Do not cut and suck out the venom as it can lead to a bacteria infection. |
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Do not apply a tourniquet or ice on the wound as this will reduce blood flow to the affected area. |
By Loh Chin Siew, Pharmacist
Drug & Poison Information Centre
HOTLINE: 6423 9119 (24hrs)
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The following additional information is available in e-relocation Singapore, a freely accessible online step-by-step relocation guide to Singapore for all clients of property agent Knight Frank:
for Knight Frank's Free Home Search Service + e-relocation Singapore access
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Private Ambulance Services
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Hospital Admission
All Hospitals need a guarantee of payment and your identification (passport) before you will be admitted.
Bring a doctor's referral letter and a deposit or insurance form. Inquire at the hospital in advance.
In some cases a letter of guarantee will be accepted. Check with your insurance company.
In case of emergencies it is advisable to rush to the Accident and Emergency's Departments of the National University Hospital, the Singapore General Hospital or the KK Women's and Children's Hospital as they are better prepared for these cases.
Government Hospitals
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For medical treatment you may contact one of the many private clinics close to your home or visit the outpatient clinics at the hospitals. If you are unsure where to go, contact other expatriates. You are not restricted to any particular clinic and may see either a GP of your choice or a company-appointed doctor. There are some highly qualified specialists to be found in government specialist clinics but you need to be referred.
At most clinics you need not call to make an appointment and waiting time is reasonable. Generally we advise you to research for a general practitioner on arrival and contact a clinic for its operating schedule. Many doctors open their clinics after office hours, on Saturdays and even on Sunday morning for a couple of hours. Clinics often have joint practice of several doctors. Make sure you see the doctor who was recommended to you.
Government outpatient clinics (also called 'polyclinics') generally take care of the locals and standard rates apply. Operating hours are from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm with a break for lunch. Expect to be waiting fairly long.
Consultation fees of private practitioners vary significantly in Singapore. Doctors expect you to come to their clinics and house calls are unusual and expensive.
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Whilst in Singapore you may visit specialists directly without a written referral, it is generally considered advisable to seek advice from your family doctor first (see International Clinic above). However, We have selected a number of specialists you may visit direcetly. Their services are featured exclusively on this website and their clinics are visited by many expatriates in Singapore.
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Smilefocus clinics – Family & Cosmetic – offer high standard dental services by well-qualified expatriate and local dentists. Our specialist and general dentists make use of the latest technological advances in dentistry in friendly and comfortable surroundings.
Smilefocus
Cosmetic Dentistry |
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| Smilefocus
Family Dentistry 1 Orchard Boulevard #14-02 Camden Medical Centre Tel:Â 6834 0877 Website |
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Physiotherapist/Chiropractor/Podiatrist
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(HIV, Blood Group)
For basic tests of HIV or blood group you can go to these providers directly, though it may be advisable to see your family doctor.
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AIDS Information and Counseling
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Contact also the International Women's Associations as some keep a list of volunteer blood donors.
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Nebulizers/Air Purifiers: See also Shopping: Allergy Management
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