Singapore to hit its target of 17,000 nursing home beds by 2020, says health minister

The city-state currently has 12,000 beds.

Singapore’s silver tsunami has driven the need for accommodative healthcare in the city-state, which entails having more beds for more potential patients in the future.

In a speech by Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s health minister, the city-state has progressively increased the number of nursing home beds from 9,000 to more than 12,000 beds today.

“We are on track to meet our target of having 17,000 beds by 2020.” he said.

Meanwhile, he also said the ministry of health will share its experiences and innovations with other providers in the eldercare sector to push the boundaries, so as to benefit the sector as a whole.

“For example, SingHealth is providing medical and allied health services, such as dietetics, speech therapy and podiatry services, so that residents at the Home can continue to receive good quality care,” he added.