Crackdown on Singapore Dentists Issuing Improper Medical Certificates

SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Singapore has announced plans to take enforcement or regulatory action against doctors and dentists found contravening laws governing their practices, particularly in the issuance of medical certificates (MCs). 

This comes after receiving feedback from employers, government agencies, and schools about an “excessive” number of MCs being issued, including cases where MCs were provided to individuals who were not sick or to those seeking repeated MCs through teleconsultation without physical examination.

Professional Obligations Emphasized

In a circular sent to all doctors on April 22, the MOH reminded medical practitioners of their professional obligations when issuing MCs. The ministry stated, “MOH is reviewing the feedback and will take enforcement or regulatory action if any licensee is found to be in contravention of the Medical Registration Act, the Dental Registration Act or the Healthcare Services Act, regulations and/or licence conditions.”

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To address the issue, the MOH plans to amend the Healthcare Services Act to require that every MC issued for a patient must include the name and medical registration number of the issuing medical practitioner. Additionally, a new requirement will mandate that a doctor or dentist must have “provided medical or dental care… to the patient” before issuing an MC, regardless of the mode of consultation.

“MOH is reviewing the feedback and will take enforcement or regulatory action if any licensee is found to be in contravention of the Medical Registration Act, the Dental Registration Act or the Healthcare Services Act, regulations and/or licence conditions,” says the Ministry of Health

“The proposed new requirement will encompass any form of medical or dental care provided to the patient and is not limited by the mode in which it is provided.”

Heated Debate and Concerns

The announcement has sparked debate among employers and employees. While some fear that genuinely ill individuals might not be granted sick leave, employers have expressed concerns about the increasing number of MCs issued through teleconsultations. Others have suggested that poor workplace conditions may contribute to employees seeking MCs when not actually sick.

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