Transpose: We suck, but we are getting there.
Singapore has scored a 4 to 5, out of 10 for its healthcare system and that is according to Professor Michael Porter, a Harvard expert on competitiveness.
Professor Porter, Competitiveness Expert, Harvard Business School, Advisor – Asia Competitiveness Institute, said: “The spirit is closer to the value model than most other economies. If you look at Germany or UK, you actually see them behind. They have some great doctors and some great institutions but philosophically Singapore is probably one of the most progressive countries in moving towards a value model. The US (has) a huge distance to go. US has high quality – the best in US is the best but the average is not good enough and we don’t get good value for 17 percent of GDP (spent on healthcare).”
But the score is lowered because Singaporeans don’t take charge of their own health enough – like going to the doctor to screen for diseases.
Professor Porter also says Singapore’s current healthcare system is still very much centred on hospitals – and more should be done to integrate outpatient services as has been done for diabetes.
Will we get there?
i believe we will.
One of the first steps MOH is taking is to publish waiting times at polyclinics.
For those who want to know more about the Singapore Healthcare System, MOH provides a good overview.
Watson Waytt has done a review on us as well:
The Singapore health system – achieving positive health outcomes with low expenditure
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