Medical Social Work in Singapore: Building up a long-term care sector


On occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration of Singapores' medical social work, the Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan of the country invited social workers to share their views on how Singapore can improve on its healthcare financing framework for acute and long-term care so that the people of the Southeast Asian country can continue to enjoy affordable healthcare as the population ages. The Health Minister said that it is time to focus on the issues of eldersave, elderfund and eldershield. He believes that it will take about 15 to 20 years before these goals are fully ready to help Singaporeans age with peace of mind.

The Minister said to the social workers that "your job scope has gone far beyond financial counselling and giving alms to the poor. Today, Medical Social Workers (MSW) form an integral and critical part of the medical team, caring and supporting our patients in diverse ways. MSWs conduct psycho-social assessments of patients and their support systems to assess their ability to function within the community.'" The Health Ministry is piloting initiatives for university graduates from other disciplines to pursue graduate-entry studies for them to be qualified as medical social workers. The Community Development Youth and Sports Ministry has developed an accreditation scheme for social workers to enhance their professional status.



Picture: © Ashestosky | Dreamstime.com

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page last updated on 09.06.2009