Written Answer to PQ on Support for Preventive Health Screenings

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1367 OF 2026 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 07 OCTOBER 2026
QUESTION NO. 2121 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Ms Valerie Lee

To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) what measures can the Ministry take to encourage employers to provide employees with dedicated time off for preventive health screenings, separate from medical leave, particularly for working adults who may defer screenings due to work commitments; and (b) whether incentives or workplace health guidelines can be considered to encourage wider adoption of preventive health screenings.

Answer:

MOM strongly encourages employers to support employees in managing their health proactively, including giving employees time off for annual Healthier SG check-ins and preventive care appointments. In 2023, in support of Healthier SG, MOM and MOH worked with tripartite partners to issue a Tripartite Statement, encouraging employers to grant time off for annual check-ins and preventive care appointments (e.g., nationally recommended vaccinations and screenings).

2 MOM also directly supports employee access to preventive health screenings through the Total Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) programme, administered by the WSH Council. This free programme seeks to equip workers with knowledge and provide activity programmes to support their holistic wellbeing. Participating employers can select from different safety and health activity packages for workers, including health screening and coaching.

3 Going forward, MOM and its tripartite partners are considering measures to improve workplace health practices. This includes studying how employers can be further encouraged to adopt progressive medical benefits as part of the ongoing Employment Act review. We will provide an update in due course.