POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS OF SINGAPOREANS SEEKING OVERSEAS POSTNATAL CONFINEMENT CARE

NOTICE PAPER NO. 246

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 05 NOVEMBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Gabriel Lam

MP for Sembawang GRC

Question No. 615

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry is monitoring the rising trend of Singaporeans seeking postnatal confinement care overseas; (b) what risks this poses to maternal and newborn health continuity; and (c) whether there are plans to strengthen standards or accreditation for local confinement services to ensure affordability and safety.

Answer

1         Our hospitals’ responsibility is to ensure that mothers and their newborns are discharged when they are medically stable. Hospitals will also follow up with the necessary reviews, checkups and vaccinations. After they are discharged, some families may observe confinement, such as staying indoors, following a special diet and avoiding strenuous activities. Some may engage confinement care services which may include postnatal nourishment, massages, general mother and baby care, aimed at providing comfort for mothers and babies during the confinement period. Such services are not healthcare services and hence not regulated under the Healthcare Services Act (HCSA). MOH also does not track nor have plans to institute standards for confinement care services.