A total of 251 healthcare scholarships were awarded at the Healthcare Scholarships Award ceremony on Tuesday. The number of scholarships awarded this year, which includes 223 undergraduate and 28 postgraduate scholarships, is a 46 per cent increase from the 172 scholarships awarded last year. The figure almost doubles the 117 scholarships given out in 2011.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who was the guest of honour at the event, said the growing number of scholarship recipients is an indication that more top quality students are passionate and committed to pursuing a career in public healthcare.

Mr Gan announced several enhancements to the scholarships such as the implementation of a new development and engagement framework which will help in the development of these scholars.

The Ministry will also be ramping up its Mid-Term Healthcare Scholarships to provide more opportunities for promising Singaporean undergraduates to apply for these scholarships while in university.