Singapore to ease medical ad rules

According to a letter sent out by the ministry, the new rules will only spell out broad principles, rather than a detailed list of dos and don'ts, representing a significant change from the present rules.

The proposed changes could take place as early as next year. Singapore is looking to compete against neighbours such as Thailand and Malaysia, which have emerged as alternatives for the well-heeled to undergo medical procedures.

The changes are likely to have the most impact on private hospitals in Singapore. Currently, hospitals come under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Regulations which are very restrictive. They are allowed to list their services in directories such as the Yellow Pages, and they can have brochures about themselves, but only available on the premises. Further advertising is not allowed and those in breach face a fine or jail term or both.

Both Raffles Medical and Parkway Group Healthcare, the two major private providers of healthcare in Singapore, understandably welcomed the changes.

Dr Prem Kumar Nair, the general manager for corporate services at Raffles, noted: "As far as Singapore hospitals are concerned, they will be able to compete on a more even footing with hospitals in the region that have been advertising and promoting aggressively."

Parkway Group Healthcare, on the other hand, did not believe that the liberalisation would change its international marketing activities,. said a spokesperson, who noted that regional competitors already have different guidelines to allow medical institutions to advertise.