Poll: Should the Health Ministry standardise the fees at public hospitals and polyclinics?

Patients waiting for a bed on Jan 10, 2014 at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s emergency department, which has 18 cubicles. All public hospitals and polyclinics essentially provide the same services but their fees vary by as much as 50 per cent. -- S
Patients waiting for a bed on Jan 10, 2014 at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital’s emergency department, which has 18 cubicles. All public hospitals and polyclinics essentially provide the same services but their fees vary by as much as 50 per cent. -- ST FILE PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

All public hospitals and polyclinics essentially provide the same services but their fees vary by as much as 50 per cent.

Recently, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) raised their emergency department fees, and some bed and consultation fees. The SGH increased its emergency department fee from $99 to $108 while charges at KTPH went up from $98 to $103.

Meanwhile, Alexandra Hospital charges just $88 for emergency services - the lowest among Singapore's six public general hospitals.

Should the Health Ministry step in and standardise these fees? Take our poll below:

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.