FREQUENCY OF KIDNEY PANEL SCREENINGS FOR PATIENTS WHO SHOW RAPID DECLINE IN RENAL FUNCTION

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2374

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 7 JULY 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song

MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 2374

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether polyclinics have procedures in place to expeditiously refer diabetic patients to a nephrologist after their estimated glomerular filtration rate first falls below 60 ml/min/1.73m²; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider increasing the frequency of kidney panel screenings for patients who show a rapid decline in renal function within Stage 3.

Answer

1         A decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with diabetes can be due to multiple reasons. Doctors will first investigate the underlying cause before determining whether the patient should be referred to a specialist. Some causes are reversible and cause transient reduction in renal function. They do not need a referral for specialist review once these causes are corrected. Where clinically indicated, clinical practice guidelines and protocols guide doctors to make urgent referrals to a specialist.

2         The frequency of kidney panel screenings is dependent on an individual patient's medical profile and rate of decline in renal function. Patients at higher risk of deterioration or complications are monitored more closely.