EQUITABLY FINANCING HEALTHCARE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN SINGAPORE
Mathavi Senguttuvan1, Hillary Chua2, Ryan Friets1, Centre for Biomedical Ethics (NUS) Singapore2, Singapore 1Centre for Biomedical Ethics (NUS), Singapore Singapore2Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, Singapore Singapore
Abstract
A city-state with limited natural resources, Singapore presents a unique portrait of developmental and infrastructural excellence, in no small part contributed by migrant workers from neighbouring global south countries. But this portrait is not without imperfections, especially in terms of disadvantages and vulnerabilities to which the low-wage labour force is exposed. The healthcare system in particular, entails several distinctive ethical tensions when the medical care and treatment of the foreign worker is the subject of engagement.
Whilst access to healthcare is widely considered a universal right for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, the dilution of this right is palpable with respect to migrant workers whose care is delegated to their employers in terms of financial sponsorship. Although recent updates to the requirements imposed on employers through increased medical insurance coverage have been positive, disparities in both primary and long-term care provision persist. Healthcare professionals are caught between the Scylla and Charybdis, in balancing the interests of workers and the duty to adhere to regulations protecting the use of state resources when conflicts arise. The transient existence of workers amplified by the risk of repatriation, employers largely unwilling or unable to bear additional costs, and regulatory confines set severe challenges for the continuity of care. But balancing conflicting interests may not be possible if lives are pitted against economic interests. We argue that this system may not be viable in the long-term and is in dire need of overhaul that is motivated by a paradigm shift in ethical priorities.
Authors: Mathavi Senguttuvan, Hillary Chua, Ryan Friets, Lee See Muah (Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Biomedical Ethics – Non-presenting author)
Biography
Mathavi Senguttuvan is a Research Associate (CENTRES programme) at the Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore and a lawyer by training. She is also currently pursuing a Ph.D. with the centre. Her research focus is around postcolonial discourses on vulnerability, migration, and health disparities, particularly in the infectious disease setting.
Ryan Friets – Bio to come
Hillary Chua – Bio to come