Potential Health Risks of Singaporeans Seeking Overseas Postnatal Confinement Care

23 Mr Gabriel Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry is monitoring the rising trend of Singaporeans seeking postnatal confinement care overseas; (b) what risks this poses to maternal and newborn health continuity; and (c) whether there are plans to strengthen standards or accreditation for local confinement services to ensure affordability and safety.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Our hospitals' responsibility is to ensure that mothers and their newborns are discharged when they are medically stable. Hospitals will also follow up with the necessary reviews, checkups and vaccinations. After they are discharged, some families may observe confinement, such as staying indoors, following a special diet and avoiding strenuous activities. Some may engage confinement care services which may include postnatal nourishment, massages, general mother and baby care, aimed at providing comfort for mothers and babies during the confinement period. Such services are not healthcare services and hence, not regulated under the Healthcare Services Act. The Ministry of Health also does not track nor have plans to institute standards for confinement care services.