healthcare Singapore
Patient at a hospital

Problems With Healthcare in Singapore

Singapore healthcare system relies heavily on institutions. Institutions were the most effective method of tackling healthcare issues in the past. That was because centralization was key in treating patients stricken with acute diseases like smallpox and tuberculosis. However, the illnesses we war against currently are chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, liver failure, etc. Institutions are not dealing with our chronic health problems effectively. 

The effects are evidenced by the lack of long-term care options, manpower issues, bed crunch in the hospitals and expensive long-term care. In May 2019, the granddaughter of a deceased woman wrote an emotional Facebook post accusing Changi General Hospital(CGH) of shoddy palliative care and not treating her dying grandmother with the same respect and care that it gave to other patients. CGH responded by insisting that the care given was appropriate but admitted that they could have done better in engaging the family members. 

Lack of Long-Term Ageing Alternatives 

It is no surprise that we need to spend more time and money on healthcare as we age. Commonly, the first point of healthcare is the institutions, whether it is the clinics or hospitals. For long-term care, patients’ options are also limited to institutions like a community hospital or a nursing home. Even then, we will be worried about costs and the questionable living conditions in these institutions. How many of us really want to spend our golden years in a sterile hospital or aged facility? Or shuttling to and fro to hospitals which might require medical escort and transport services if there are mobility issues?

Long Queues and Waiting Hours in Hospitals 

problems Singapore healthcare

When we know that our loved one’s health is deteriorating at an ungodly hour, we immediately think to go to the A&E (Accident and Emergency) Department. There’s a chance that things do not turn out as it seems, having to wait before seeing the doctor and more waiting for a hospital bed.

The worst part is when all the waiting could have been unnecessary. Studies have shown that people go to the A&E with minor complaints- complaints that could have been taken care of at home or by a GP (General Practitioner).

Expensive Long-Term Care Costs

It is not uncommon for older persons to suffer from stroke or dementia, but long-term care is expensive despite subsidies. If you were to age in a nursing home, it will still cost from $1200-3500 per month, without the benefit of privacy and freedom because nursing homes are governed by routines. This decreases a person’s quality of life greatly.

Make Healthcare Personal Again!

With the current healthcare model, keeping our loved ones at home, amongst family, is preferable albeit difficult. Apart from the strain and stresses of a sick loved one, shuttling them around for doctors’ appointments, learning the ropes of home care and managing the sudden load of care can easily drain the caregiver, leading to burnout. Caregiver strain should not be treated casually as it affects all aspects of a person’s life.

The solution to this problem is to decentralise care back to people’s homes-Home Care. Jaga-Me provides healthcare (medical and nursing) services to homes in three ways: Nursing Respite, Clinical Procedures and Care Transition Service. 

Do you find yourself suddenly entrusted into the role of a Caregiver or a healthcare assistant? Read Caregiver Guides: Are You A First Time Caregiver? to equip yourself with essential knowledge on how to care for your loved one with confidence.

At Jaga-Me, we believe that healthcare should be a social good – it is a basic human need, and should be available to as many people as possible. We aim to deliver the highest quality care through innovation and a commitment to building meaningful relationships.

Save travelling and long wait times at the hospitals. Get specialised medical treatments:
– Urinary Catheterisation
– Complex Wound Care
– Nasogastric (NG) Feeding Tube
– IV Infusion Therapy

Jaga-Me: Your Trusted Medical Home Care Professional

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