Latest news with #MOH
New Paper
20 hours ago
- Health
- New Paper
All Kpod cases to be recorded, vapes must be confiscated: MOH, HSA
In a sign that the health authorities are treating vapes laced with etomidate more seriously, public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. In a circular from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) dated July 9, they said medical practitioners should also get patients to surrender their e-vaporisers and consider sending their urine samples for testing. This is because both authorities noticed that between 2024 and 2025, there had been a worrying increase in the number of e-vaporisers detected containing etomidate in Singapore. Such devices are also known as "Kpods", which the authorities have recently intensified crackdowns on. The circular highlighted the report in March by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which said etomidate had been notably detected in illicit drug markets in East and South-east Asia. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale. Etomidate found in vapes or supplied in oil capsules or formulations to be inhaled directly into users' lungs are not medical products and are prohibited. Under the Act, those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both. MOH and HSA said that because of the rising concerns, they are studying the harm and addictiveness of etomidate use in vapes, through those who seek medical attention. They said these studies will inform and shape policy, including whether existing regulations need to be tightened or amended. On July 12, MOH and the Ministry of Home Affairs said they were considering further steps to better address the vaping issue, including whether current laws for enforcement could be enhanced. The number of cases involving etomidate-laced vape pods has nearly tripled in Singapore to 28 cases in the first six months of 2025, compared with 10 in the whole of 2024. The MOH-HSA circular was addressed to emergency departments, urgent care centres, departments of psychiatry of public healthcare institutions, and the National Addictions Management Service Centre at the Institute of Mental Health. In it, the authorities said medical practitioners should reassure patients that enforcement actions will not be taken against them for previous vape use if they voluntarily come forward to seek medical help. Medical practitioners were told to observe symptoms and signs like seizures, dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, coughing, arrhythmias and thermal injury to airways. In the circular, the authorities invoked powers under the Healthcare Services Act, requiring licensed medical practitioners to comply with the instructions. Those who fail to do so can be jailed for up to a year and fined up to $10,000. During medical consultation, medical practitioners should confiscate the vapes, place them in ziplock bags and lock them up. They should also consider sending patients' urine samples to HSA for toxicology testing. MOH and HSA said members of the public who have sought assistance through the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) QuitLine may be directed to seek medical help at public health institutions' emergency departments. After treatment, these emergency departments may refer patients to the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000 for continued support. Participants of HPB's I Quit programme need not worry about being fined or prosecuted, as it does not presume they have or use vaping products. But if they are caught using or possessing such items, then they will be prosecuted. MOH and HSA previously said that more than $41 million worth of vapes and related components were seized between January 2024 and March 2025. More than 14,600 people were caught by the authorities in 2024, compared with just 4,916 in 2022.
New Paper
20 hours ago
- Business
- New Paper
MOH overpaid $7m in subsidies and grants, caused $2m in shortfalls
The issue that caused a processing error in a government means-testing system which led to about 20,000 people getting the wrong subsidies and grants has been identified, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) on July 22. MOH, which manages the Household Means Eligibility System (Homes), said that the error had resulted in about $7 million in overpayments for about 90 per cent of the affected individuals, and about $2 million in shortfalls for the remainder of those affected. On July 21, MOH said that Homes had experienced a processing issue resulting in about 20,000 people receiving wrong subsidies and grants. The ministry said then that those who received excess subsidy or grant amounts will not have to return them, while those who received less than they were entitled to will have the difference topped up by government agencies by November. Homes uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) to means-test individuals with business income, such as self-employed people - for selected subsidy schemes across the Government. What happened? For the 2025 year of assessment, Iras' tax filing notification process began later in mid-January, compared with the preceding December in previous years, said MOH. This was to ensure Central Provident Fund contributions for the full year were captured for more accurate income tax assessments. However, the "system logic" at the time caused Homes to omit the business income of selected individuals. This led to inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business income and members of their households between Jan 1 and Jan 27, 2025. MOH said that Homes was first alerted to the issue on Jan 13 through a member of the public's query when applying for subsidies, which triggered an investigation, leading to the identification of the issue. The ministry added that it is currently enhancing the design of Homes for better integration and coordination with agencies. In a similar incident in 2019, about 7,700 people who applied for and renewed their Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas) cards in September and October 2018 received inaccurate subsidies after a computer system miscalculated their means-test results.
Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
British man convicted of offering minister's information to Russian intelligence
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Howard Phillips was found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service on July 22. LONDON – A British man who offered personal information about former defence minister Grant Shapps to Russian intelligence for money was on July 22 f ound guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Howard Phillips offered Mr Shapps' home address and phone number to two people he believed were Russian agents but were in fact British undercover officers, prosecutors said. The 65-year-old denied one count of engaging in conduct intended to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail. Phillips gave evidence at his trial at Winchester Crown Court, claiming he was trying to 'trap and expose a foreign agent'. But he was convicted of the offence under the National Security Act by a jury on July 22 . He will be sentenced at a later date. At the start of his trial, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward said Phillips offered to help Russian intelligence 'not necessarily for ideological reasons or because he sympathised with the Russian state'. Ms Ledward said Phillips had sought to carry out 'easy – and, perhaps, interesting or exciting – work for easy money'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Phillips was approached in March 2024 by purported Russian agents, using the names Sasha and Dima, who asked Phillips to save a file onto a clean USB stick, stating what he could offer and why, and hide it inside a parked bicycle on a London street. He later met Dima in May 2024, saying he knew Mr Shapps' home address, telephone number and where his private plane was kept as he had visited Mr Shapps' house, Ms Ledward said. Phillips also offered logistical support, by booking a hotel and buying a mobile phone for a foreign intelligence service, prosecutors said. REUTERS
Online Citizen
21 hours ago
- Business
- Online Citizen
20,000 affected by HOMES means-testing error; MOH correcting inaccurate subsidies
About 20,000 individuals in Singapore have been impacted by a processing issue in the Household Means Eligibility System (HOMES), according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on 21 July 2025. The glitch, which occurred in January 2025, resulted in inaccurate means-testing for individuals with business incomes and their household members. Most affected received higher-than-intended subsidies and grants, while a smaller group received less than they were entitled to. HOMES, which is managed by MOH, uses income information from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to determine subsidy eligibility. However, changes in data processing timelines in January 2025 caused the system to miscalculate business incomes. As a result, means-testing was inaccurate for individuals and households assessed between 1 January and 27 January. MOH schemes see bulk of impact; reassessments and adjustments underway According to MOH, about 19,000 people under its schemes were affected. Another 1,000 people under schemes administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) were also impacted. MOH stated that HOMES provides means-testing results for various government subsidy schemes. Despite the number affected, MOH said they account for less than 3 per cent of all individuals means-tested in that period. Corrections have now begun, with reassessment of affected cases completed. MOH confirmed that from 21 July 2025, subsidy and grant tiers will be adjusted to reflect intended levels. Individuals who received higher subsidies will not have to repay any excess. Those who received less than intended will be reimbursed, with payments expected to be completed by November 2025. The affected MOH schemes include CareShield Life and MediShield Life premium subsidies and Additional Premium Support (APS). Individuals will receive the correct subsidies at their next policy renewal, while APS recipients will maintain premium coverage based on approved validity. Letters will be sent to all impacted individuals, who are not required to take any action. Under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), affected cardholders will receive letters detailing necessary steps. For subsidies related to long-term care services, adjustments will be reflected in the next billing cycle or payout date. Schemes like the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund, Equipment Rental Scheme, Home Caregiving Grant and ElderFund are also impacted. Notices of adjusted subsidies or payouts will be sent to those affected. Subsidies for day surgeries, inpatient services, specialist outpatient clinics, polyclinic drugs and vaccines, and community hospital services will also be corrected. Public healthcare institutions will inform impacted individuals and adjust bills from July 2025 onwards. Where applicable, reimbursements will be issued automatically. Non-MOH schemes also affected; corrections to start from 22 July Non-MOH schemes have also been affected by the HOMES processing issue. For ECDA schemes, affected parents, preschools, and early intervention centres will be informed of adjusted subsidies from 22 July. Corrected subsidies will take effect from August 2025. Under the DigitalAccess@Home Scheme managed by IMDA, households affected will be notified from 22 July. Households that were under-subsidised will receive reimbursements automatically. Those who received higher subsidies will retain them for the remainder of their current DAH award validity. Their eligibility will be reassessed upon new applications. MOE will ensure affected students receiving higher education bursaries are informed through their Institutes of Higher Learning. No action is required from students. For children in MOE Kindergarten Care (KCare), corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025. Under MSF's Enabling Transport Subsidy, Taxi Subsidy Scheme, and Assistive Technology Fund, SG Enable will work with service providers to inform affected individuals from 22 July. Corrected subsidies will apply from August 2025. MOH emphasised that all affected individuals will be contacted progressively and no action is needed on their part. The ministry said the incident arose from a one-time misalignment in data processing timelines and added that measures will be taken to prevent similar issues in future.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
RM5.2m unregistered traditional products seized in Penang raid
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Health Department seized RM5.2 million worth of unregistered traditional health products suspected to contain scheduled poisons during a special operation in Kepala Batas on July 15. State Health director Datuk Dr Fazilah Shaik Allaudin confirmed the raid targeted six business premises selling illegal items. 'A total of 71,000 bottles of unregistered traditional products, over 500 packets of raw materials suspected to contain scheduled poison, and two processing machines were seized,' she said. The operation was conducted with the police and Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), reinforcing the Ministry of Health's (MOH) crackdown on unregistered and adulterated products. Dr Fazilah warned consumers against misleading health claims on social media and e-commerce platforms. 'Possessing scheduled poison for sale without a valid licence violates the Poisons Act 1952, while selling unregistered products breaches the Control of Drugs and Cosmetics Regulations 1984,' she added. Consumers can check product legitimacy via the NPRA website ( or contact the agency at 03-7883 5400. The MOH continues its 'Tolak Ubat Tidak Sah' (TOBaTS) campaign to combat illegal medicines. Reports can be made via SisPAA ( or by calling 03-7841 3200. - Bernama
