SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOALS Name of the Student
Name of the University

INTRODUCTION
This presentation will focus on a sustainable goal that is related to
the health condition of Singapore.
There are a total number of 17 sustainable development goals
given by the United Nation to maintain a positive continuum in
public health, globally.
The health condition of Singapore is affected due to several chronic
diseases and it needs the intervention of these goals.

HEALTH IN SINGAPORE
Singapore has been trying to combat health issues that is affecting
the wellbeing of the country. The top 5 health problems are:
 Asthma
Diabetes
High Blood Pressure
Cardiovascular diseases
High Cholesterol

HEALTH INDICATORS
 Fertility rate: 1.16% in 2017.
 Infant mortality rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births
 Life expectancy at Birth: 83.1% in 2017
 Under 5 mortality rate: 2.8/1,000 live births.
(Khoo, Lim & Vrijhoef, 2014)

COMMON MEDICAL ISSUES
IN SINGAPORE
 Malnourishment- Mostly children and women.
 Dengue Fever- viral infection
 Myopia- mostly found in children
 Environmental issues are also included such as haze and air
pollution

Source: Griggs et al., 2013)

THE SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT GOAL
The most relatable goal for the health condition is:
Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
This goal was made to look after the health indicators and plan
targets that will help in improving the condition of health in
countries (Griggs et al., 2013).
The set target to accomplish the goals is till the year of 2030.

SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM
They use mixed financing system that includes life insurance
schemes and saving plans that gets deducted.
The central provident fund (CPF) is another initiative for the
working adults in Singapore.
This helps in reducing the excess use of healthcare industry in the
country (Khoo, Lim & Vrijhoef, 2014).

OPPORTUNITIES GIVEN BY
THE GOVERNMENT
The government of Singapore has been coming up with several
benefits for the public to enhance the health system as well as the
economic constricts that obstructs the delivery of health facilities
for the lower income group.
The government has addressed:
 Greater healthcare Benefits
 Improving Healthcare facilities
 Merdeka Generation Package

GREATER HEALTHCARE BENEFITS
The Singapore’s Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) has been
providing subsidies for the health expenses to the lower and middle
income group.
Future goal is to look at people with chronic diseases irrespective of
their income.
The regular medical bills will be sanctioned through this benefit as
the citizens are struggling with the medical expenses (Asher et al.,
2015).

CONTINUED…
The government also announced financial support for the younger
generation through the help of CareShield Life that allows people
who were born after 1980 to be valid for this subsidy.
It sanctions S$600 every month for the entire life and it will be
started from 2020.

IMPROVING HEALTHCARE
FACILITIES
The primary care departments will be improved, which will allow
the people to visit these clinics and hospitals without hesitation.
Certain age groups are being targeted such as old age and children
who need the most health interventions (Huat, 2016). .
Including rehabilitation and health care facilities.

CONTINUED…
It will have facilities such as:
 senior care centre with day care
 Rehabilitation centers for older adults
 Home care facilities for older generation so that they can have
reduced trips to health services
Increase in number of polyclinics

MERDEKA GENERATION
PACKAGE
Merdeka means Malay for Independence.
This generation includes people who were born between 1950-1959
or who are in their 60s currently.
This age group has people who are retiring or are retired and they
are financially restricted.
Their health demands are more than their income, which makes
them eligible for subsidies and top-ups such as MediSave and
MediShield Life funds.

CONTINUED…
The outpatients will get the benefits through subsidies.
The payment will be for a long term and it will continue their whole
life.
The cost of living will decrease and their will be more economic
growth for the citizens.

RELATION WITH SDGS
The health benefits that are being implemented for the
Singaporeans is in relation with sustainable developmental goal no
3.
It is for the good health and wellbeing of the public as they are
getting the advantages, which will help in improving the condition
of health.
Subsidies will give them more chances to get a proper treatment
and eventually lead to positive health outcomes (Gupta & Vegelin,
2016).

CHALLENGES
The government has been facing challenges to fulfil these demands
such as:
 Healthcare financing
Ageing population and chronic diseases
Manpower issues in healthcare
Communicable disease control

HEALTHCARE FINANCING
The healthcare funds such as Medisave, medishield, and medifund
are useful aids for people of Singapore as it limits their medical
expenses (Lim, 2017).
However, it becomes a burden for the government to release the
financial aids depending on the economic growth of the country.
The increasing number of chronic diseases and their expenses
could be a threat to the welfare of the country.

AGEING POPULATION AND
CHRONIC DISEASE
 Singapore has low fertility rate and a high ageing rate of the
population as it is increasing since 2007 and it is predicted that will
be doubled by 2030.
This health indicator is linked to the management of chronic
diseases, which becomes difficult to control if the population has
negative health indicators (Satghare et al., 2016).
More elder people means for subsidies for the old people and that
becomes challenging.

HEALTHCARE MANPOWER
ISSUES
There is a shortage of manpower in Singapore and that includes the
nursing staffs and medical experts.
The ratio between the nurse and patients are not balanced and this
is the major reason for delay in treatment.
There is a shortage of specialist staffs as well, which could be a
setback in the management of chronic diseases.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
CONTROL
Singapore has been a target of several communicable diseases that
has affected their public health and turned out to be a challenge for
the government as well as the citizens (Sadarangani, Lim & Vasoo,
2017).
 SARS in 2003
Chikungunya fever in 2010
Flu pandemic is a prediction that could occur in future
Dengue in 2007

CONCLUSION
The sustainable developmental goal no 3 is linked to the health in
Singapore and the government has been exploring opportunities as
well as facing challenges.
The SDG is followed, which is making the government go through ups
and downs to control the health situation in Singapore.
The government has to take measures for the betterment of the public
health as the people are seriously affected by the negligence.

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