COLLABORATING WITH NEPHROLOGISTS TO IMPLEMENT PERITONEAL DIALYSIS-FIRST POLICY AND MEASURES TO ACCELERATE ADOPTION

NOTICE PAPER NO. 711

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 7 APRIL 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Yip Hon Weng

MP for Yio Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 1320

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will collaborate with nephrologists to implement a “peritoneal dialysis-first” policy for clinically suitable patients, discouraging premature arteriovenous fistula creations for haemodialysis; and (b) whether the Ministry will introduce targeted financial or operational incentives for hospitals and patients to accelerate the adoption of peritoneal dialysis.

Answer

1            The Ministry of Health (MOH) already has a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)-preferred strategy. As for the timing of arteriovenous fistula creation for haemodialysis (HD), this is a clinical decision. In line with this, our financing policies keep dialysis affordable, regardless of whether patients undergo PD or HD.

2            PD enables patients to lead a more active life, and should rightly be preferred. However, there are operational impediments, such as worry of equipment breakdown at home, concern about lack of storage space at home.  MOH will continue advancing our PD-preferred strategy through the National PD Home Support Programme.