Singapore’s well-established healthcare system comprises a total of 13 private hospitals, 10 public (government) hospitals and several specialist clinics, each specializing in and catering to different patient needs, at varying costs. Patients are free to choose the providers within the government or private healthcare delivery system and can walk in for a consultation at any private clinic or any government polyclinic. For emergency services, patients can go at any time to the 24-hour Accident & Emergency Departments located in the government hospitals.

Singapore’s medical facilities are among the finest in the world, with well-qualified doctors and dentists, many trained overseas. Pharmaceuticals are available from numerous outlets including supermarkets, department stores, hotels and shopping centers. Registered pharmacists work from 9am till 6pm, with some shops open until 10pm.

Services provided by Singapore’s public and private hospitals are highly regarded by the locals and expatriates residing in neighboring countries. Both public and private hospitals are equipped with the latest medical equipment to maintain a high standard of medical service. Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National University Hospital, Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth are recognized as benchmarks for healthcare delivery standards in the region.

Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth and Thomson Medical Centre are private hospitals and fees are relatively higher than that of the government hospitals including Kandang Kerbau, National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng and Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital.

Five of the government hospitals provide acute care services with multi-disciplinary acute inpatient and specialist outpatient services as well as 24-hour accident and emergency services. Also, there are 6 specialty institutes for ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology, cardiology, neuroscience and dentistry. The tertiary specialist care on cardiology, renal medicine, hematology, neurology, oncology, radiotherapy, plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery and transplant surgery are centralized in two of the larger general hospitals which are the Singapore General Hospital and the National University Hospital. The other five government hospitals provide special functions such as maternity, mental, infectious and sub-acute care services.

Singapore’s private healthcare is provided by two health care companies: National Healthcare Group (NHG), and Singapore Health Services (SHS).

National Healthcare Group
www.nhg.com.sg
The National Healthcare Group provides comprehensive primary to tertiary public healthcare services through a network of four hospitals, one national centre, nine polyclinics, three specialty institutes and five business divisions.

Singapore Health Services
www.singhealth.com.sg
SingHealth is the eastern cluster of public healthcare institutions in Singapore. It includes three hospitals, five national specialty centers and a network of primary healthcare clinics.

Expatriates in Singapore are not covered by any state medical plans. Generally expatriate employees are insured through their employers’ (collective) plans, or individuals take out private insurance policies.