Singapore is at a pivotal point of its healthcare landscape, with a staggering one in four Singaporeans aged 40 years and above suffering from at least one chronic condition1. The importance of preventive healthcare has never been more critical.
As a leading integrated healthcare provider in Singapore, Raffles Medical Group (RMG) prioritises our patients’ health even before they seek treatment, which is important to us, as it enables them to enjoy a better quality of life and supports a longer lifespan. Therefore, early detection of health risks is key, and we offer a comprehensive list of health screening plans that cater to every life stage.
These plans support organisations in empowering their employees to proactively take charge of their health and well-being. Our integrated approach ensures cost-effective, personalised, and effective management of medical conditions, enhancing overall health outcomes and boosting employee productivity.
Current healthcare landscape
Singapore faces the challenge of a rapidly ageing population, where one in four Singaporeans will be over 65 years old in six years’ time2. This demographic shift correlates with a rising prevalence of chronic diseases among older adults, which if left unchecked, could lead to costly and severe complications, affecting an individual’s quality of life.
Furthermore, for organisations, this translates to substantial costs. Mercer reports that Singapore could lose up to S$3.3 billion in productivity losses by 2030 due to sickness absenteeism3. A paradigm shift now is crucial, more than ever, in terms of healthcare delivery and management. We must move away from a system of reactive healthcare to one that proactively prevents individuals from falling ill.
Why preventive health is crucial
Early detection and management of health issues in their early stages can help mitigate the risks of worsening health conditions and reduce long-term healthcare expenses. Organisations that prioritise employee health and wellness not only cultivate a healthier workforce but also experience enhanced employee productivity and engagement. According to the World Economic Forum, employers that received awards for their health, safety, and well-being initiatives had a 115 per cent growth in earnings per share compared with 27 per cent earnings per share in their competitors4.
How organisations can support their employees better with preventive health
Organisations can consider various preventive health strategies, such as routine health screenings, vaccinations, and health education to maintain the health and wellness of their employees.
Health Screening
The cornerstone of preventive health lies in early detection and prevention. Regular health screenings are an excellent initiative to identify and appropriately manage any health issue, potentially preventing or delaying the onset of more serious chronic medical conditions and / or complications.
RMG offers holistic and personalised health screening services at one-stop health screening centres located islandwide. Depending on an employee’s needs, there are various health screening packages ranging from comprehensive and standard health screening packages targeting a wide range of diseases, to cost-effective modular health screening for employees with more specific health concerns.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is also another key component of preventive health. According to WHO, vaccinations help to prevent 3.5 to 5 million deaths every year from diseases such as influenza, measles, tetanus, pertussis, and diphtheria5. By keeping up to date with one’s recommended vaccinations, employees not only protect themselves but also their peers from vaccine-preventable diseases, such as influenza and pneumococcal disease, thereby reducing absenteeism and enhancing workplace productivity.
RMG offers a wide variety of vaccinations such as influenza, TDAP, varicella, hepatitis A and B, MMR, HPV, pneumococcal, COVID (Pfizer), and other travel vaccinations depending on an individual’s needs. Employees may conveniently book an appointment through the Raffles Connect app to discuss their vaccination needs and suitability with a doctor at any Raffles Medical clinic.
Enrol in Healthier SG
Recognising the urgency of the healthcare predicament, Singapore has embarked on a new initiative as its strategy to preventive health. Eligible individuals can choose to enrol at any Healthier SG clinic, such as Raffles Medical, and commit to seeing one Raffles family doctor. Our doctor will develop a suitable health plan that is catered to an individual’s health profile, including recommending relevant health screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle adjustments. This is a shift from a reactive, ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to a more precise and personalised one that is focused on preventive health.
Partnering Raffles Medical Group
As an integrated healthcare organisation, RMG’s group practice model allows our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and healthcare managers to work together to care for our patients. We have worked with multiple organisations to offer customised and cost-effective preventive healthcare solutions. Our holistic approach, which includes both physical and mental, and use of advanced diagnostic and medical technology help to ensure that employers can nurture a healthier and more productive workforce.
By embracing preventive healthcare through partnerships with RMG, organisations not only invest in the well-being of their employees but also position themselves for sustained growth and efficiency in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Enhance your employee’s productivity with Raffles Medical Group today through our corporate preventive health screening packages and vaccinations today!
References
1Health Promotion Board, "Designing a Workplace Health Screening Programme" 6 October 2022.
2Prime Minister's Office Singapore, "Speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the book launch of 'Singapore Ageing: Issues and Challenges Ahead" 11 April 2023.
3Marsh & McLennan Companies, Aging Workforce: Cost and Productivity Challenges of Ill Health in Singapore, 2017.
4World Economic Forum, "A healthy workforce is good for business. Here's why," Centre for Health and Healthcare, 2023.
5World Health Organization, "Vaccines and immunization"
About the author
Michelle is a seasoned Account Manager with extensive knowledge of the healthcare landscape. She excels in understanding her clients' needs and delivering tailored solutions. Her prior experience with established hospitals, both locally and regionally, ensures a seamless client experience and high customer satisfaction. Her strategic, client-centric approach, combined with excellent stakeholder management, enables her to effectively manage her accounts by empowering clients to provide comprehensive yet cost-effective solutions to enhance employees' welfare.