How Singapore residents are managing their health

HMI Medical, a regional healthcare group with more than 25 years of healthcare delivery experience touching over 3 million lives per year, is pleased to announce the findings of its first Health Usage and Attitude (U&A) Survey, ‘Towards a Healthier Singapore’. The U&A Survey results further substantiate HMI Medical’s strategic brand refresh initiative as part of its ongoing mission to provide comprehensive and accessible healthcare services in Singapore and the region. HMI Health is focused on meeting the evolving health needs of individuals across different life stages through an integrated ecosystem of care in collaboration with industry stakeholders and healthcare partners.

Results from the U&A Survey revealed key priorities that align with the key national health initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG which emphasise the importance of empowering citizens to stay healthier for longer as Singapore is rapidly ageing, with 1 in 4 aged 65 years and above by 2030.

• In line with the government’s Healthier SG Plan to focus on preventive care, the U&A Survey findings put a spotlight on how 1 in 2 Singapore residents seek medical attention only when they experience the occurrence of symptoms, pointing towards the need for more to take active charge of their health.
• Less than half (49%) of Singapore residents reported to have gone for a standard health checkup and/or screenings in the past 12 months.
• While 95% of the general population are either “somewhat” or “highly involved” in making healthcare-related decisions, of this group, with 89% of them not just managing their own but the health decisions of their family.

• People across age groups feel a lack of control over what actions to take (28%), are overwhelmed or confused by the complexity of the healthcare system (23%) and are uncertain about which healthcare provider to choose (23%).
• Other challenges facing Singapore residents include systemic healthcare issues such as long wait times (55%) and affordability (48%).
• Those who have experienced stress and uncertainty expressed a much stronger desire for additional resources and support – especially towards simplifying administrative procedures and getting personalised assistance.

• Those above 40 years old expressed the desire for a centralised platform access with 53% seeking more integration and convenience.
• When asked what else can healthcare providers do/offer to better integrate public and private healthcare services and encourage more seamless transitions for patients, majority of Singapore residents prefer receiving referrals tailored to their personal needs (53%) and partnering with public and private healthcare institutions for seamless referrals.
• The aspiration for greater collaboration among public and private healthcare providers directly points towards the importance of forging partnerships within the healthcare ecosystem to foster more harmonised healthcare management.
• The increasing collaboration between public and private healthcare providers also helps ensure that preventive care becomes a cornerstone of Singapore's healthcare strategy, aligning with the broader goals of Healthier SG, and empowering Singapore residents to take charge of their health proactively.

Contributed by Brand, Marketing, and Communications team.
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