Singaporeans Receiving Medical Benefits under Medical Benefits Scheme (Blood Transfusion Service)

83 Mr Pritam Singh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) how many Singaporeans and/or Permanent Residents have received medical benefits under the Medical Benefits Scheme (Blood Transfusion Service) or any other scheme arising from blood donation to date; and (b) how many Singaporeans continue to receive these benefits as of the year 2025.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) was introduced in 1965 as a means of expressing appreciation to regular blood donors. It was discontinued on 1 July 2002 for all new and lapsed donors as Singapore moved to a fully non-remunerated voluntary blood donation system, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Regular blood donors who started donating blood before the discontinuation of the MBS in 2002 continue to receive benefits under the scheme. There are currently 652 such individuals.