Lessons on Impact of Tuberculosis Screening on Business Prospects at High Footfall Locations from Recent Exercises at Bedok

20 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in relation to the mandatory tuberculosis screening exercise announced at three locations in Bedok on 30 April 2026, what lessons have been learned from this exercise for future reference, particularly in relation to its impact on the business prospects of high footfall locations such as hawker centres and markets.

The Senior Minister of State for Health (Mr Tan Kiat How) (for the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health): Sir, from time to time, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) will need to conduct ground operations to contain disease outbreaks, such as the tuberculosis (TB) screening exercise that was carried out in Bedok recently.

A key success factor for such operations is clear communication with residents, notwithstanding that residents were largely very appreciative of the efforts to keep them safe. This is because in the absence of authoritative information, rumours will spread. Hence, in this case, the public would need to know exactly what to expect from the screening, the details and locations of the clusters, and be assured that the risk of TB transmission through casual visits or sharing a meal was low.

Further, measures will need to be taken to minimise disruptions to businesses and the community. Hence, eligible hawkers and tenants also received rental, and service and conservancy charge rebates to mitigate the temporary impact on their businesses.

Finally, partnerships between CDA, community stakeholders and grassroots organisations are critical. This ensures that public health measures are coordinated with community engagement and that any concerns are addressed promptly.

Mr Speaker: I will allow a short supplementary question. Mr Singh.

Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied): Obliged, Speaker. I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply.

I refer to the notice that was released by CDC on 30 April where it said that the mandatory screening exercise would take place over three days, 4 to 7 May. This was the original timeline. The impression that was created, in my view, suggested one of urgency and criticality, but the very act which triggered the exercise, the identification of 13 cases with genetic similarities, occurred over a period of three years from January 2023 to February 2026.

So, does the Senior Minister of State not agree that in future, perhaps, a longer timeline for a screening exercise, or a differentiated regime for hawkers on the one hand and residents who may have transited through those areas where there is concern about a TB outbreak, could be considered? Because that would reduce the anxiety faced by some of the hawkers, as the Senior Minister of State is aware. He was on the ground, I think, every day. In that regard, you would also, in my view, have a more accurate reflection of the urgency of the problem and what is being done to resolve it.

Mr Tan Kiat How: Sir, I thank the Member for his clarifications and questions.

First, like I said in my earlier reply, CDA will have to do such precautionary screenings, in this case, for TB, on a regular basis, when needed. This is really part of our more proactive sentinel surveillance stance to minimise outbreaks of infectious diseases. So, that is one. We do so when we believe there is a case where we can take early action, intervene early to prevent future outbreaks. When future outbreaks happen, the cost of doing so and cost of intervening will be much higher, especially for individuals and the community.

The second, I have explained and well, you can refer to my social media as well, I have done quite a fair bit. And I am glad the Member has noted it when he came to visit me at Heartbeat@Bedok. CDA has also explained that the 13 cases were over a period of three years, but recent developments in whole genome sequencing, whole genome sequencing capabilities, they were able to track that the TB bacteria was genetically linked across 13 individuals – although none of them were from the hawkers, merchants or people working in Heartbeat@Bedok or in the Bedok Town. They frequented the place, perhaps had a meal or used some of the facilities.

But as a matter of precaution, we wanted to make sure we test it, test everyone there, those who are working there and those who frequent facilities often to really make sure that everyone is safe.

And we tried to explain it. There are many learning points on how we could have explained it better, as the Member has pointed out. And we take those learnings to heart. CDA will see how to better improve the public communications to assure people.

These are lessons we have learned and we will make sure that those lessons would be incorporated in our standard operating procedures in our approach next time.

Lastly, I just want to thank the Member for coming by at least a few times to my constituency to speak to my merchants, the hawkers, the residents. Thank you for your care and concern. And certainly, if that happens in Aljunied, I will make sure my colleagues will make sure that we will also return the favour, to show care and concern for residents. Thank you very much.

12.04 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question Time. Clarification by Minister Indranee Rajah.