Medical workers collect swab sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) – COVID-19 patients in Singapore who are unvaccinated "by choice” have to cover their own medical costs from December 8 ifthey are admitted to hospitals or COVID-19 treatment facilities, the Ministry of Health has announced.
The new rule will apply to patients who are eligible forvaccination but choose not to do so.
The Singaporean Government is currently footing the fullCOVID-19 medical bills of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-termpass holders, other than for those who test positive soon after returning fromoverseas travel.
Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majorityof those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionatelycontribute to the strain on the national healthcare resources, the ministrysaid.
From January 1 next year, only Singaporeans, permanentresidents and long-term pass holders who are fully vaccinated and have notrecently travelled to other countries will have their COVID-19 medical billsfully paid for by the government.
To date, 85 percent of the country’s population of 5.45 millionhas been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Singapore has reported more than218,330 infections so far, with about 8,000 child patients./.
