SINGAPORE – In a major health scandal, eight telemedicine providers are under investigation by the Ministry of Health (MOH) due to serious lapses in clinical care and misleading advertisements, as revealed by Senior Minister of State for Health Janil Puthucheary during a parliamentary session on January 7.

Among those involved, MaNaDr Clinic has faced the brunt of scrutiny, with the MOH discovering that over 100,000 teleconsultations lasted one minute or less in just one sampled month. As a result of these alarming findings, MaNaDr Clinic had its license revoked on December 20, 2024, prohibiting it from offering outpatient medical services.

Key Areas of Investigation

Dr. Janil outlined that the ongoing investigations are primarily focusing on two key areas. The first involves failures in clinical care, such as healthcare professionals issuing prescriptions and medical certificates without adequate clinical evaluation or conducting video consultations for first-time patients. The second area of concern pertains to inappropriate advertisements promoting unnecessary telehealth services.

Enforcement Actions

Dr. Janil stated that the enforcement actions against the offending providers vary and may involve short suspensions along with stern warnings, depending on the severity of the violations. The MOH has also referred some medical practitioners to the Singapore Medical Council for potential breaches in professional standards, indicating that a thorough review is currently underway.

Complaints Received

While specific names of other operators under investigation were not disclosed, Dr. Janil confirmed that the MOH had received 59 complaints related to telemedicine services from 20 different operators in 2024. He emphasized the importance of differentiating between legitimate short consultations—such as follow-ups or repeat patients—and those that may not meet necessary standards.

Quality of Care

"It’s essential that we evaluate the overall quality of care provided, rather than labeling all short consultations as inappropriate. The key lies in whether correct clinical practices have been upheld, which sometimes necessitates in-person consultations," Dr. Janil explained.

Concerns About Medical Certificates

Concerns have also been raised about the potential misuse of telemedicine to easily obtain medical certificates. Dr. Janil clarified that this type of malpractice can occur in both telehealth and in-person settings, underlining the need for MOH to continuously monitor various metrics to ensure that proper assessments and treatment are being administered.

Benefits of Telemedicine

Despite these challenges, the benefits of telemedicine, especially for immobile patients or those requiring regular medical follow-ups, cannot be overlooked. "Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare accessibility, making it more convenient for patients," Dr. Janil remarked. He acknowledged that, like any new service model, initial periods may see abuse and misuse, but he assured the public that the MOH is committed to enforcing the necessary regulations to normalize best practices in the industry.

Public Concerns

To voice any concerns regarding telemedicine services, the public can reach out to the Ministry at [email protected].

Conclusion

In conclusion, as Singapore continues to navigate the complexities of telehealth, stringent oversight will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of medical services and ensuring patient safety in the digital realm.