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Ministry of Health
Parliamentary QA

PREPAREDNESS FOR SURGE IN EMERGENCY CARE DURING HAZE EPISODES

4 November 2026

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1520

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 4 NOVEMBER 2026

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Cassandra Lee

MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC

Question No. 3392

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the October 2026 haze episode and the coming flu season on emergency care services; and (b) what management plans the Government has in place to support frontline medical staff in response to such impact.

Answer

        Sir, between early September 2026 and mid-October 2026, the average daily attendance for conditions that are potentially related to haze increased approximately from 360 to 440 at emergency departments, representing an increase of about 20%. Our public hospitals activated measures to manage the surge in demand, including activation of additional surge capacity where required and ensuring adequate manpower coverage to maintain continuity of care. MOH also activated the Haze Subsidy Scheme on 12 October 2026. Thereafter, daily attendances decreased.

2       Measures are also in place to protect and support our frontline healthcare workers, where necessary. These include deployment of air purifiers indoors, issuance of appropriate personal protective equipment to staff, and ensuring regular breaks for staff who work outdoors for prolonged periods. Frontline healthcare workers are also encouraged to keep up with their influenza vaccinations.