Singapore: COVID-19 patients unvaccinated by choice must cover own medical bills
Singapore (VNA) – COVID-19 patients in Singapore who are unvaccinated "by choice” have to cover their own medical costs from December 8 if
they 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 for
vaccination but choose not to do so.
The Singaporean Government is currently footing the full
COVID-19 medical bills of all Singaporeans, permanent residents and long-term
pass holders, other than for those who test positive soon after returning from
overseas travel.
Currently, unvaccinated persons make up a sizeable majority
of those who require intensive inpatient care, and disproportionately
contribute to the strain on the national healthcare resources, the ministry
said.
From January 1 next year, only Singaporeans, permanent
residents and long-term pass holders who are fully vaccinated and have not
recently travelled to other countries will have their COVID-19 medical bills
fully paid for by the government.
To date, 85 percent of the country’s population of 5.45 million
has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Singapore has reported more than
218,330 infections so far, with about 8,000 child patients./.