Why Singaporeans are waiting hours at A&E — and what hospitals want you to do instead
CGH and SKH advised the public via Facebook yesterday to visit their EDs only for serious or life-threatening conditions, and to consult general practitioners or polyclinics for minor symptoms such as cough, sore throat or runny nose, The Straits Times reported.
KTPH, which began seeing a spike in ED cases after the recent long weekend, said the rise was not mainly due to Covid-19, despite a small increase in infections.
Health authorities said on May 13 that while there has been a rise in Covid-19 cases, current variants do not appear more transmissible or severe than earlier strains.
At 5.30pm on May 14, KTPH's website listed a wait time of 107 minutes with 135 patients in queue, dropping to 71 minutes and 124 patients by 6.30pm.
KTPH said its emergency department remains fully operational and under control, and that patients with critical conditions will still be seen immediately.
The Straits Times reported that during its visit to CGH yesterday, a notice outside the A&E department warned of waits lasting at least five to eight hours due to the surge in patients.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
6 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Bupa Hong Kong Connects More Customers to Flexible and Affordable Outpatient Care with Blua Health Pass
Blua Health Pass promotes everyday wellness by making outpatient care more accessible across digital and in-person touchpoints, under Bupa's commitment to Together for Your Health Blua Health Pass Lite, priced at HK$250, is ideal for individuals exploring Bupa's network healthcare services. Moving up, the Blua Health Pass Plus is available for HK$780 per year, catering to those who seek more frequent healthcare interactions, providing greater access and savings on a variety of services. The most comprehensive offering is the Blua Health Pass Flex, which costs HK$1,800 annually. This premium option is intended for individuals requiring broad and frequent access to outpatient care. Subscribers to the Flex plan can enjoy up to 15 outpatient visits per year, with co-payments ranging from HK$60 to HK$120. The plan covers a wide range of services, including general practice and specialist consultations, physiotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as diagnostic imaging, lab tests, vaccinations, and more. ¹Video consultation and ePharmacy features are provided by our medical service provider. ²Insurance management services are offered through myBupa feature of Blua Health. myBupa is offered, distributed and operated by Bupa (Asia) Limited. Blua Health is not a licensed insurance agent of Bupa (Asia) Limited, nor does it represent Bupa to conduct any insurance activities. The fact that Blua Health provides myBupa feature does not constitute and should not be construed as Blua Health conducting any Regulated Activities as defined by the Insurance Ordinance, Chapter 41 of the Laws of Hong Kong, or any insurance activities. ³Blua Health Pass is a subscription-based membership scheme offered, distributed and operated by Blua (Asia) Services Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong under the Bupa Group. Blua Health Pass is not an insurance product. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to our product leaflet for more details. HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 August 2025 - To more effectively meet the evolving needs of healthcare customers in Hong Kong, Bupa Hong Kong is now launching Blua Health Pass, a subscription-based outpatient healthcare solution designed to deliver accessible local care. This programme empowers individuals to take control of their health with ease, flexibility and plans starting at just HK$250, Blua Health Pass connects customers to preventative care that meets the everyday wellness needs of today's workforce and health-conscious to provide greater choice, Blua Health Pass offers seamless access to a wide range of outpatient services across digital and physical touchpoints—making it even more convenient to book appointments with general practitioners, specialists, Traditional Chinese Medical practitioners and physiotherapists. Customers can also track health progress, complete health missions and receive wellness recommendations available through the Blua Health Health, Hong Kong's leading one-stop AI-powered mobile app, offers a range of digitally-enabled services including video consultations and ePharmacy¹, rewards for health missions, insurance management², and claims and other results Health Pass³ offers three levels of protection, with exclusive rates of up to 67% on standard service fees at around 380 service points and more than 20 specialties across Hong Kong. Customers can take advantage of priority eBooking on the Blua Health App for less wait time, AI-powered health assessments, digital prescription ordering and healthy living rewards. The three plans include:said, "Blua Health Pass helps to fill the outpatient medical needs for individuals without comprehensive insurance: whether they are freelancing, working for a startup, retired, or simply seeking an easier and more affordable way to access everyday care. Members can also stay in control of their healthcare management anytime, anywhere, and fully harness technology to integrate health into everyday life whilst making preventative care more affordable."Sign up for your preferred Blua Health Pass on Blua Health App today. Click this link to subscribe in just five minutes and begin enjoying accessible local care, priority in outpatient appointment bookings and exclusive rates: Hashtag: #Bupa #BupaHongKong #保柏 #保柏香港 #BluaHealthPass #BluaHealth通行證 #healthcare #日常保健 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Bupa – An international health insurance specialist Established in 1947, Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We are an international healthcare company serving over 60 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers. Bupa has businesses around the world, principally in Australia, the UK, Spain, Poland, Chile, Hong Kong SAR, India, Türkiye, Brazil, Mexico and New Zealand. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia. Bupa has been a health insurance specialist in Hong Kong since 1976, offering one-stop solutions across domestic and international health insurance, and healthcare services. Our comprehensive medical insurance schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide health solutions for companies of all sizes. We also have a team of registered nurses, health management professionals, and doctors who provide various expert healthcare support. Our healthcare provision arm, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), became part of Bupa in October 2013. QHMS offers Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Dental, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Wellness services via a network of over 1,650 provider service points in Hong Kong. For more information, visit
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
48 more ‘wellness hubs' to promote healthy lifestyles
Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad (centre) at the newly-opened wellness hub in Kuala Langat, Selangor, today. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The health ministry is to set up 48 more wellness hub community centres across the country to help promote a healthy lifestyle among the people, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said. He said 33 such hubs have been established since 2020 in urban and rural areas and the remaining 48 hubs are expected to be completed by 2033, Bernama reported. 'While hospitals and clinics play a crucial role, I regard wellness bubs as the cornerstone of healthcare, particularly in urban and rural areas, offering substantial support for people's health,' he said at the opening of a wellness hub in Kuala Langat, Selangor. A new facility will be launched in Kuala Selangor later this year, the fourth in the state, after Hulu Langat, Sabak Bernam and Kuala Langat. Dzulkefly said the centres had helped nearly 1.5 million Malaysians, of whom 75% had successfully lost weight, 74% improved their physical fitness, and 54% quit smoking. He said the wellness hubs, formerly known as community health promotion centres, have been upgraded into community centres that offer health and wellness services, focussing on behavioural changes and promoting consistent, sustainable healthy lifestyles. At today's ceremony, the ministry entered a collaboration with the fire and rescue department on health and wellness initiatives, including activities at the Fire and Rescue Academy and fire stations. Dzulkefly said more than 1,100 firefighters have taken part in activities at wellness hubs and most of them have successfully lost weight and become more fit.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
MOH targets 81 Wellness Hubs by 2033 to boost healthcare access nationwide, says Dzulkefly
KUALA LANGAT, Aug 17 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has set a goal to establish 81 Wellness Hubs across Malaysia, aiming to strengthen the national healthcare ecosystem, said Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad. Dzulkefly highlighted that 33 Wellness Hubs have already been established in both urban and rural areas, with the remaining 48 hubs expected to be completed by 2033. 'While hospitals and clinics play a crucial role, I regard Wellness Hubs as the cornerstone of healthcare, particularly in urban and rural areas, offering substantial support for people's health,' he said at the opening of the Kuala Langat Wellness Hub here. Since their inception in 2020, Wellness Hubs across the country have benefited over 1.48 million Malaysians. Notably, 75 per cent of participants successfully lost weight, 74 per cent improved their physical fitness, and 54 per cent quit smoking. 'This clearly shows that Wellness Hubs are not merely service centres, they are driving positive lifestyle changes within the community,' Dzulkefly added. Currently, three Wellness Hubs are operational in Selangor, located in Hulu Langat, Sabak Bernam, and Kuala Langat. Dzulkefly also announced that a new facility will be launched in Kuala Selangor later this year. The Wellness Hubs, formerly known as Community Health Promotion Centres, have been upgraded into community centres that offer health and wellness services, focusing on behavior change and promoting consistent, sustainable healthy lifestyles. The event also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between MOH and the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), outlining collaborative health and wellness initiatives, including activities at the Fire and Rescue Academy and fire stations nationwide. — Bernama
