Development of the private hospitals in Singapore from 1983 to 2022

Abstract

: The global healthcare landscape has seen transformative changes, with the private hospital sector gaining importance in many countries due to constraints in public health expenditure. Singapore’s healthcare spending has risen sharply, overtaking defense spending, driven by policy changes and increased consumption taxes. Understanding the Ministry of Health’s (MOH’s) role in nurturing the private hospital sector holds implications for healthcare systems and economic development, domestically and globally. This study employs a qualitative approach combining document analysis and thematic synthesis. Data were sourced from governmental reports, academic studies, policy documents, and industry publications. Theoretical framework employs the Developmental State Theory. Data interpretation is guided by the roles of the state: custodian, demiurge, midwifery, and husbandry. Singapore’s private tertiary healthcare sector comprises 17 hospitals, predominantly capital-intensive and competing with public hospitals. The MOH’s roles are analyzed from various phases, including promoting private hospitals, regulating fees, facilitating foreign patient influx, and ensuring patient safety. Private sector roles encompass providers, insurers, and business associations, while the latter influence professional standards and workforce dynamics. Singapore’s shift towards prioritizing healthcare spending offers insights into resource allocation and economic implications. The public-private partnership model and MOH’s roles present a reference for balancing private sector efficiency with public healthcare access. Ethical considerations of medical tourism underscore the challenge of global reputation and domestic equity. Applying the Developmental State Theory to healthcare underscores government’s role in fostering innovation. Singapore’s approach to developing the private hospital sector demonstrates the importance of a well-calibrated public-private partnership in healthcare. The interplay between the government, private sector, and regulatory landscape provides valuable lessons for countries considering healthcare privatization. Challenges in equity, technology, and demographic shifts need continued attention. Singapore’s experience serves as a blueprint for navigating complex healthcare policy decisions and ensuring sustainable healthcare systems.