REVIEW OF PRICING STRUCTURE AT HOSPITAL CANTEENS

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2948

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 6 AUGUST 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Mohd Fahmi Bin Aliman

MP for Marine Parade GRC

Question No. 6342

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has conducted any recent reviews or assessments of the pricing structure at hospital canteens, specifically those operated by third-party vendors; (b) if so, whether data on the price differences between hospital canteens and comparable dining establishments in the local market over the past year can be shared; and (c) how does the Ministry ensure that prices at hospital canteens are competitive as compared to those in the local market.

Answer

1    Our public hospitals appoint vendors to operate food establishments through tender, based on key considerations such as price affordability for public and staff, food variety and quality, and availability of healthier options. Hospitals will compare prices submitted by the potential vendors with prices of similar food establishments to ensure competitiveness. They also have in place measures to ensure reasonable prices and affordable options for the public and staff such as requiring vendors to seek approval for any price adjustments. If the member has any feedback on food establishments or particular stalls in public hospitals that charge high prices, please let us know and we will look into it.