Slowing Down Increase in Kidney Failure Cases and Assessment of Adequacy of Dialysis Care Infrastructure

37 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the Ministry's plans to slow down the growth of kidney failure cases; and (b) whether the existing dialysis care infrastructure is sufficient for the number of cases.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Kidney failure cases are driven mainly by Singapore's ageing population and risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension.

Hence, to slow down the growth of kidney failure cases, we need better preventive care. In this regard, Healthier SG is now a national priority, which promotes healthier lifestyles, participation in screening for diabetes and hypertension and improves the management of diabetes and hypertension.

To cater to patients with kidney failure who require dialysis, the Ministry of Health has been working with providers to expand our national capacity. We are also encouraging suitable patients to opt for peritoneal dialysis, which can be administered at home and accords patients greater independence.