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SINGAPORE – Starting Tuesday (December 1), anyone who needs a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test will be able to obtain one at approved private clinics.
Those seeking evidence could include companies and individuals who require pre-departure testing before traveling. This last group will no longer have to request the approval of the Ministry of Health to carry out this test.
Prior to this, members of the public who were not unwell and did not need to meet specific testing requirements, such as pre-departure and pre-event tests, could not request to be tested for the coronavirus.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong had previously said on November 10 that the expanded availability of tests is part of efforts to support a wider range of needs as Singapore resumes more economic and community activities.
In the same virtual press conference, Education Minister Lawrence Wong said that the increased number of activities in phase three of the country’s reopening is likely to lead to an increase in the number of community cases.
“We have to be mentally prepared for that and be ready to make sure that even if local cases in the community increase, they don’t form large clumps that are out of control. The key to doing that is stepping up our testing capabilities, what we’re doing and we are now making testing more accessible to everyone, “said Mr. Wong, co-chair of the multi-ministry working group tackling Covid-19 along with Mr. Gan.
The list of approved test partners can be found here.
Those requesting tests from these providers under the new arrangements will need to call the clinic ahead of time to schedule an appointment for their swab.
They will also have to pay for the tests, which will not be subsidized.
Gan said: “We hope that by making the private sector testing capacity available, there will be competition and more supplies will be available. And by doing so, we will ensure that the price they offer is competitive, and that (this) will reflect the actual cost. Of the test “.
Doctors told The Straits Times they would charge fees of around $ 200, including GST, for the test.
Dr. Dale Lim, a family physician at The Tenteram Clinic in Toa Payoh, said he does not expect an increase in demand for the tests until more people need to travel.
Dr. Lim’s clinic has done about 30 swabs each week under the Swab and Send Home (Sash) program. The Sash program was implemented around April this year, allowing patients who met certain criteria to be swabbed at polyclinics and some private clinics. Previously, all smear tests for Covid-19 were done in hospitals.
However, Dr. Aziz Noordin, a family doctor at the Tampines Family Medicine Clinic, said his clinic has stocked up on kits in anticipation of an increase in demand.
This will come as more people start participating in activities such as clubs and social events as Singapore opens up.
“I hope people come to test for peace of mind, but … price can also be a barrier,” he said.
Meanwhile, Healthway Medical Group has made testing available at 38 clinics, up from 5 in August.
Dr. John Cheng, the group’s head of primary care and family physician, said he has already seen a 40-50 percent increase in patients coming in for swabs since August and has been working closely with major laboratory suppliers to ensure adequate supply. of test kits in recent months.
“Having anticipated this increase in demand for test facilities in the coming months, we are adequately supplied and prepared for increased demand for PCR testing. We will also continue to monitor the response and replenish accordingly,” he said.
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