Children under 18 Undergoing Cosmetic Surgeries
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the prevalence of cosmetic surgeries among minors and the adequacy of existing precautionary measures. Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min stated that while only one minor underwent a procedure in public hospitals over five years, the Ministry of Health does not currently track private hospital data. He detailed existing safeguards, such as mandatory parental consent for those under 21, cooling-off periods, and the requirement that procedures serve the minor's best interest. Dr Chia Shi-Lu suggested collecting private sector data and creating specific guidelines for minors to address unique developmental and psychological risks. Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min agreed to consider data collection and consult the Academy of Medicine regarding specific guidelines.
Transcript
24 Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health (a) how many children under the age of 18 have undergone cosmetic surgeries in each of the last five years in our private and public hospitals; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider implementing more precautionary measures to protect these children and educate their parents or guardians about the risks involved as they are still growing.
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Lam Pin Min) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, over the last five years, one person under the age of 18 had undergone a cosmetic surgery procedure, namely a double-eyelid creation, in our public hospitals. MOH does not track cosmetic surgeries done in the private hospitals.
The Singapore Medical Council's (SMC) Ethical Code and Ethical Guidelines stipulate that minors, defined as those under the age of 21, have to obtain their parents' or legal guardians' written consent prior to undergoing invasive procedures. This requirement applies to both public and private hospitals. For aesthetic procedures in particular, SMC's ethical guidelines stipulate that doctors must give patients a "cooling off" period to reconsider their decision before proceeding with the treatment. Also, they must not offer aesthetic procedures to minors, unless independent professional assessments indicate that these procedures are truly in their best interest. MOH's assessment is that these safeguards are appropriate.
Dr Chia Shi-Lu (Tanjong Pagar): I thank Senior Minister of State for his replies. Just two supplementary questions: number one, would the Ministry consider collecting data on plastic surgery done on minors, 18 years and below or 21 years and below, in the private sector as well. I think he would understand that the impetus for this Parliamentary Question came from a recent newspaper report where some private plastic surgeons actually did mention that there were significant increases in the number of minors seeking plastic surgery and then even with their parents' support.
My second supplementary question is whether the Ministry would consider in addition to the ethics codes and various guidelines for cosmetic procedures, whether they would consider coming up with guidelines specifically for plastic surgery in minors. Because if you look at the literature, the reasons for plastic surgery in minors versus adults can be quite different. For example, in minors, it is more to fit in; in adults more to stand out. That is just one example. And also because minors are still growing, the risks are also different. It may affect their development. So, I think it is a special group of patients and I just would like MOH to consider looking at this.
Dr Lam Pin Min: I would like to thank Dr Chia for those two suggestions. As to the first one, whether we will consider collecting a data of minors undergoing aesthetic or cosmetic surgery in private hospitals, we will look at this suggestion. As for the guidelines for cosmetic or aesthetic surgery for minors, I think we will consult the Academy of Medicine whether this would be feasible.