New Fundraising Initiative in Singapore to Aid Migrant Workers with Serious Health Issues

Singapore, Dec 8 (NationPress) A local charity in Singapore has introduced a new program designed to support migrant workers battling serious health issues, with the objective of raising 410,500 Singapore dollars (around $307,875) to provide assistance to 20 workers within the next two years.

As stated by the fund's founders during a press conference on Friday, the CritiCare Fund for Migrant Workers is intended to address the financial shortfalls faced by workers where their insurance benefits are inadequate to cover their medical expenses, according to a report by Xinhua news agency.

The donations will be handled by Ray of Hope, a registered charity under the supervision of Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development. A community-led council comprising doctors, civil society representatives, employers, and migrant workers will be responsible for making disbursement decisions.

The council has projected that each case will need around 20,000 Singapore dollars, while also allocating 10,500 Singapore dollars for administrative costs.

The initiative will also gather data on the prevalence of critical illnesses among migrant workers, with the goal of influencing future healthcare policies and insurance plans.

For numerous migrant workers in Singapore, the financial burden of treating severe conditions such as late-stage cancer or other critical ailments is overwhelming, highlighted a report during the briefing. It noted that when workers are unable to work due to their illnesses, many employers tend to cancel their work permits and repatriate them.

Singapore mandates that employers must secure medical insurance for migrant workers, with a minimum annual coverage limit of 60,000 Singapore dollars per worker. While this provides a basic safety net for hospital stays, it often falls short for serious conditions like late-stage cancer.

Moreover, mandatory insurance does not cover outpatient treatments such as chemotherapy or care abroad if they are sent back to their home countries, stated Anthea Ong, one of the fund's founders and a former nominated member of parliament.

“Unexpected heart attacks, cancer, strokes, and diabetes rank among the primary causes of mortality in the migrant worker community,” remarked Yeo Guat Kwang, chairman of Singapore's Migrant Workers' Center and a former member of Parliament, as reported by The Straits Times in 2020.

As of June, Singapore is home to over 1.5 million foreign workers, according to the Ministry of Manpower. (1 Singapore dollar equals $0.75)