Singapore’s state health workers need work-life balance

A pay hike just won’t cut it.

Singapore should prioritise work-life balance in the public health sector to attract and retain local talent amidst the growing medical demands of its ageing population, analysts said.

A salary increase alone does not address the deeper challenges workers face, Shin Thant Aung, a director at YCP Holdings (Global) Ltd.’s Thai office, told Healthcare Asia. “It is essential to address workload, long hours, job stress, and overall satisfaction.”

In January, the Ministry of Health said 37,000 allied health professionals, pharmacists, and administrative, ancillary, and support staff in the public sector would get salary increases by mid-year. The last adjustment was in 2021.

It added that it would continue to provide a conducive and safe work environment through its zero-tolerance policy against abuse and harassment.

However, Aung said the city-state’s healthcare system is constantly under pressure. “The government should consider how to improve efficiency in the long term,” he said in a video interview.

“Some solutions include flexible working arrangements, proper shift rotations, job-sharing models, and hybrid work options,” he said. “Offering childcare and family support services, and study leaves for continued education can also improve workers' well-being.”

A study by Canada-based Telus Health released in June 2024 found that 47% of Singaporean workers felt exhausted at the end of their workday, with too much work cited as the top cause of burnout.

Workers in public administration and defence had the lowest mental health score at 55, followed by workers in transportation and storage at 57.7, and health and social services at 58, it said.

Tech developments in blockchain, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence (AI) could ease working conditions, Aung said. “Telecommunications and telemedicine reduce pressure to maintain high staffing numbers.”

“The ultimate goal should be to create a healthcare system where professionals feel valued and motivated,” he added.

Healthcare companies should also offer career development opportunities and specialised training to their employees, Rathanesh Ramasundram, director for healthcare and life sciences at Frost & Sullivan, told Healthcare Asia.

“While [a salary increase] lays an important foundation, a holistic strategy will be equally critical to fully addressing the sector’s evolving challenges,” she said via Zoom.

She noted that increased state spending on salaries might limit the budget for other critical investments. “These include technological upgrades, infrastructure improvements, or advanced training programmes.”

She said the ripple effect of the public-sector salary hike is likely to be felt across private hospitals.

“There’s a good chance that these institutions will feel the need to reassess their salary structure,” Ramasundram said. “However, this could also lead to increased operating costs, potentially affecting their service pricing and market dynamics across the healthcare sector.”

“The challenge will be to strike a balance between investing in human capital — the healthcare workforce — and ensuring overall financial sustainability across the healthcare system,” she added.