PLANS TO MANDATE HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS TO HELP SINGLE UNWED MOTHERS WITH PREGNANCY-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES

NOTICE PAPER NO. 3201

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 12 NOVEMBER 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang

MP for Nee Soon GRC

Question No. 6242

To ask the Minister for Health whether there are plans to mandate help from polyclinics, public hospitals and private hospitals to address single unwed mothers’ pregnancy and related health issues during their prenatal medical appointments and upon delivery of their babies.

Answer

1        We recognise the challenges single unwed mothers face in shouldering the caregiving and financial responsibilities for their children, which raise their risks of physical and mental health issues.

2        Our public hospitals, particularly KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) and National University Hospital (NUH), provide single unwed mothers with comprehensive support by a multidisciplinary team comprising doctors, nurses and medical social workers as well as mental health and community support where relevant. This includes doing a complete medical assessment, facilitating counselling services, financial assistance and providing educational resources to kickstart their parenthood journey. They also proactively identify those who are at-risk or need more help and link them with community agencies such as Social Service Offices, Family Service Centres and social service organisations.

3        Our public and private healthcare systems treat all mothers equally, providing antenatal and postnatal care based on individual needs.