Framework for Healthcare Institutions in line with Counter-terrorism Plans

4 Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked the Minister for Health with recent announcements on the Home Team's counter-terrorism initiatives as well as community plans under SG Secure, whether the Ministry will be coming up with a framework for healthcare institutions pertaining to this.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Lam Pin Min) (for the Minister for Health): Mdm Speaker, in their daily operations, the public healthcare institutions (PHIs) aim to provide a baseline level of security that balances the safety of their patients, visitors and staff, while allowing public access without undue hassle. The day-to-day security operations include surveillance via closed-circuit television (CCTV), patrols and immediate responses to security incidents by security personnel, and access controls against unauthorised entry to restricted and sensitive areas. Our PHIs also conduct security awareness training for their staff, so that they remain vigilant and are aware of the basic security measures that they should take.

PHIs also have contingency plans to step up their vigilance during heightened security alerts. These include the deployment of additional security personnel, increasing the frequency of patrolling, tightening of access control and stepping up security awareness training among their staff. For security incidents like terrorist attacks, the hospital security personnel are expected to contain and manage the situation until the Police arrives at the scene.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and PHIs also participate in whole-of-Government planning efforts to enhance preparedness for security threats and to share good practices. The institutions also work directly with the Police land divisions to develop standard operating procedures and conduct familiarisation and emergency drills to test their preparedness and vigilance.

In view of the heightened terrorism threat and the new modus operandi of terrorists, MOH and PHIs are reviewing our security plans, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The review is expected to be completed within a few months' time and will cover preventive security, contingency plans to deal with different scenarios and threat levels, including terrorist incidents and consequence management. The review will also examine the required competency of the security personnel. MOH will work closely with MHA and the Home Team to ensure that our PHIs remain vigilant and alert.

Mdm Speaker: Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef.

Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): Mdm Speaker, I have two supplementary questions. First, with the revamp and refinement, can we consider reaching out to all levels of staff, including cleaners and maintenance personnel as well, because these are the people who may pick up suspicious items or activities during the course of their job?

Secondly, the Minister of State mentioned public institutions. How about private healthcare institutions? How will they align with this initiative?

Dr Lam Pin Min: Mdm Speaker, I would like to thank Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef for the supplementary questions. I would like to assure the Member that MOH takes the security of our PHIs very seriously. I would like to thank her for her suggestion. Yes, MOH will work with PHIs to enhance security awareness programmes and to educate their staff at all levels to remain vigilant.

As for the second question on private healthcare institutions, MHA has a set of guidelines to guide all private building owners, including private healthcare institutions, on how to strengthen their physical security with the essential security features and measures. Similar to PHIs in their daily operations, private healthcare institutions also have a baseline level of security that includes surveillance via CCTVs, patrols, immediate responses to incidence by security personnel and access control against unauthorised entry to restricted and sensitive areas. The private healthcare institutions also form part of the Police-led Security and Safety Workgroup where they meet regularly to share good practices and to enhance preparedness for security threats.

Mdm Speaker, I would like to reiterate that it is not just the work and duty of the security personnel to keep Singapore safe. It is important that hospitals and the staff on the ground as well as all Singaporeans continue to remain vigilant and look out for any suspicious behaviours and items and report them promptly to the authorities.