Extension of Co-Funding for the Assisted Conception Procedures Scheme to Private Clinic

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1765 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 20 MARCH 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
MP for Nee Soon GRC

Question No. 4295

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether he can provide an update on the Ministry's review to extend the Co-Funding for the Assisted Conception Procedures scheme to private Assisted Reproduction centres; and (b) if the review has not been completed, when will it be completed.

Answer

1 The public AR centres generally have sufficient capacity, with current utilisation rates at around 67%, and average wait times of around 4 to 8 weeks. The public AR centres are also expanding to prepare for an increase in patient load. The National University Hospital completed renovations of its IVF laboratory in 2022, while KK Women’s & Children’s Hospital is in the process of building a second IVF laboratory.  

2 Nonetheless, we recognise that there could be scope to consider extending co-funding to the private sector as some couples may prefer to seek treatment at private AR centres. As part of the ongoing review, MOH is studying the merits of doing so, and assessing how best to ensure clinical outcomes are monitored and acceptable, that couples are charged reasonably and that co-funding monies are used prudently. We aim to complete the review by the end of this year.