Filenews 9 November 2021
It may seem paradoxical, but it is being put into practice. The hospitalization costs of unvaccinated coronavirus patients will no longer be covered by the state in Singapore. The country has a high vaccination rate of up to 85% and the authorities have decided to proceed with this move for those who have not been vaccinated by choice.
"Currently, unvaccinated individuals make up a significant majority of those who need intensive inpatient care and contribute disproportionately to the burden on our health care resources," the Department of Health said in a statement Monday, according to the Washington Post.
Who the state continues to cover
"Coronavirus patients can leverage the existing healthcare funding system to pay their bills where applicable," the ministry added.
"Until the situation with the coronavirus stabilizes," the ministry added, it will continue to cover the related medical costs for those who are vaccinated, as well as for those who still cannot get the vaccine: children aged 12 and under and people with certain medical conditions. Partially vaccinated people in Singapore will be covered until December 31.
Singapore's health system, considered one of the best in the world and based, among other things, on its direct funding from workers' salaries, will continue to support and subsidise the hospitalisation of unvaccinated people, but will not cover it entirely. "Hospitals prefer not to charge these patients," the health minister said, "but we need to send this important message to urge everyone to be vaccinated if you are eligible."
