Singapore’s high quality and affordable health system is a global healthcare frontrunner. The country has one of the highest (healthy) life expectancies in the world but is also ageing rapidly. In 2030, the percentage of the population above 65 years old will have doubled. Together with an increasing burden of non-communicable (chronic) diseases, this creates a shift and sharp increase in health demands, putting pressure on Singapore’s health system. The ‘3 Beyonds-Policy’ has been designed by the Ministry of Health of Singapore to keep healthcare both good and affordable into the future. It focuses on improved prevention (Beyond Healthcare to Health), avoiding frequent hospital admissions by appropriate care at the community-level or at home (Beyond Hospital to Community), and improved focus on cost-effectiveness (Beyond Quality to Value).

Singapore’s decision-makers in healthcare have an open approach to achieve the 3 Beyonds-plan by proactively studying international health systems, such as that in the Netherlands, and welcome foreign expert organisations to test and apply solutions for Singapore’s healthcare challenges within the country. Singapore functions as an entry point for the broader ASEAN market. Solutions which work in the Singaporean health system are picked up by other countries in the region. The country furthermore has an excellent business climate.

This report was commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) and is produced by the Task Force Health Care (TFHC) in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Singapore. It aims to align the respective Life Sciences & Health sectors of the Netherlands and Singapore in an effort to increase mutual understanding and inspire collaboration between these countries. This report provides useful insights into the Singaporean health system and sector and identifies potential areas of opportunity.

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