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The health care system in Singapore is often cited as one of the most successful systems in the world in terms of both efficiency in financing and health outcomes. The success has been attributed to a combination of a strong reliance on medical savings accounts, sound government regulation and a highly integrated public and private health system.
Singapore’s health care system is often cited as one of the most successful in the world, and the country is quickly becoming an attractive market for biopharmaceutical investment as its pro-innovation policies have resulted in an increased volume of clinical trials. There is tremendous potential to build on this foundation and secure additional investment and progress.
However, high rates of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, and a rapidly aging population are taxing an already strained health care workforce. Currently, Singapore has 2.2 doctors per 1,000 population, above its regional peers (1.6 doctors per 1,000 population) and the world average (1.5 doctors per 1,000 population). But like many countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s health system faces a shortage of skilled workers, with the Ministry of Health predicting Singapore will need an additional 30,000 health care workers by 2020.
To continue improving health outcomes for its citizens, Singapore must attract new skilled medical personnel and continue to invest in innovation.