Study on Veterinary Price Transparency and Workforce Trends

6 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development regarding escalating veterinary costs and manpower shortage (a) when will studies on veterinary price transparency and workforce needs be completed; (b) whether clinics will be required to provide itemised estimates and publish indicative prices for common procedures; and (c) when will decisions on local training pathways and recognition of overseas-trained veterinary technicians be made.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi) (for the Minister for National Development): The Veterinary Practice Act was passed by Parliament in April this year. Since then, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has been working to establish the Veterinary Council and operationalise the registration and accreditation frameworks.

AVS will partner the Veterinary Council, as part of the review of the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians, to consider how price transparency can be further enhanced. In addition, AVS is working with the Ministry of Education and the institutes of higher learning to study strategies to meet Singapore's long-term veterinary manpower needs, including the feasibility of establishing additional local training pathways.

Mr Speaker: Mr Yip.

Mr Yip Hon Weng (Yio Chu Kang): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for his reply. My supplementary question is on affordability. Vet fees are rising in Singapore. A simple visit to the vet can cost a few hundred dollars and consultation fees, going to a 24-hour vet hospital can cost even more. Ultrasound can cost $300 to $500, a hospital stay can cost about $200 to $500 a night.

I spoke on the Veterinary Practice Bill in April this year and during that debate, the Minister did mention that they will monitor the effect of the new regulations on cost. I want to ask the Ministry and the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, is there any progress to this? And in the spirit of transparency, will the Ministry consider publishing common procedures and associated costs and certain fees benchmarks as how we do in healthcare?

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi: I thank Mr Yip for the supplementary question. Indeed, it reflects a growing desire for pet ownership, as well as the rising expectations of animal health and welfare standards as well.

Mr Yip alluded to us discussing the Veterinary Practice Act which came into force earlier this year. The intent of the Act is really to strengthen regulation of veterinary professionals, including upholding standards of professional competence, conduct and ethics, and certainly, with a view to protect public interests and maintain confidence in the profession.

I just wish to reassure Mr Yip that the review is ongoing and AVS is working with the Veterinary Council. And at the same time, it is taking a view towards ensuring that moving forward, the standards continue to be increased to ensure price transparency, including some of the things that Mr Yip has mentioned, potentially studying the prospect of itemisation, fee disclosures, as well as cost communication to the pet owners, so that they can make informed decisions, build trust trust between pet owners and vets, and promote professionalism and fairness across the board.

So, in relation to price transparency, as well as watching over the cost, it is something that is in the review that is ongoing and we will share more information when ready.