A new study commissioned by Prudential plc and carried out by Economist Impact has revealed that a significant majority of Singaporeans – 83% of survey respondents – have postponed seeking medical attention within the past year.
The findings, published in the report “Patient voices Singapore: towards more informed and seamless care,” indicate that even with Singapore’s established healthcare infrastructure and generally high patient satisfaction, many individuals are holding off on care for personal and financial reasons. The report is based on a survey of 1,024 adults in Singapore, conducted between April and May 2025. The analysis includes perspectives from local healthcare professionals and explores how Singaporeans interact with and perceive the healthcare system.
The survey shows that the most common motivations for deferring care include prioritising work obligations and a reluctance to place additional responsibility on family members. Some respondents also reported that they did not consider their symptoms serious enough to warrant medical attention, while others cited negative experiences in the healthcare system as a deterrent.
Dr. Sidharth Kachroo, chief health officer at Prudential Singapore, commented on the risks of such delays. “Singapore has built a strong and well-resourced healthcare foundation. The path forward requires shifting the focus to making it a well-understood and easily accessible system for all. Support is available in both public and private sectors to provide patient choice and access to care. Payers, providers, and policymakers can do more collectively to improve awareness of this support, so that patients feel more confident in seeking the care they need,” Kachroo said.
The report also highlights that uncertainty about navigating the healthcare system is a significant factor in delayed care. According to the survey, 61% of participants felt they did not have enough information to make informed decisions about treatment, and 60% were unsure where to seek help when health issues arose.
The report notes that national initiatives like Healthier SG, which promotes the involvement of family doctors in the healthcare process, are designed to address these gaps. Dr. Sarah Lu, managing director (Singapore Healthcare) at Raffles Medical Group, said: “By actively managing our health with the help of our family physicians, we reinforce the focus for preventive, proactive, and personalised care. This sustained relationship with our FPs engages our patients to be part of a shared healthcare journey, building a strong foundation for many healthy years ahead. Where escalation of care is necessary, FPs play a central role coordinating and managing the health of patients together with the specialists, ensuring a smooth and integrated care journey.”
The survey further found that 39% of respondents valued healthcare that fits around their daily routines, while 31% expressed a need for guidance throughout the care process.
Arjan Toor, CEO, health, Prudential plc, commented: “Our Patient Voices study has helped us understand that many patients face uncertainty and confusion when seeking care. That’s why we’re focused on removing the worry and hassle – by helping patients find the right doctor, understand what they’re covered for, and know what to expect when it comes to costs. By guiding them every step of the way, we’re making healthcare more accessible and less overwhelming – so that patients can focus on the thing that matters most, which is to get better.”
Financial considerations continue to affect healthcare decisions. Among those who delayed care, 23% pointed to cost as a contributing factor. More than six in 10 respondents expressed concern about their ability to pay for needed care, and about half reported that their medical bills were higher than anticipated in the past year.
These concerns are likely to persist, as medical expenses in Singapore are forecast to continue their upward trajectory. WTW’s 2026 Global Medical Trends report estimates a 16.9% increase in healthcare costs for the coming year. This projected rise surpasses the 15.5% growth recorded in 2025 and is higher than the expected 14% average increase across the Asia-Pacific region for 2026.
Nidhi Swarup, founding chairperson of the Alliance of Patients’ Organisations Singapore, said: “The conversation about costs starts only when they’re at the emergency department. That’s when people say, ‘We didn’t expect the cost to be so high’. People need a lot of education about how to plan for unexpected medical costs.”
The report noted that Singapore’s S+3M system is designed to keep essential healthcare affordable at public hospitals. For those seeking additional coverage, integrated shield plans are available to supplement basic coverage and provide access to higher-tier wards or private hospitals. The Ministry of Health’s national fee benchmarks and the Health Insurance Planner tool are also available to help residents compare costs and plan for future healthcare needs.
Kachroo added: “Health insurers play a role in ensuring that policyholders get access to affordable, high-quality care. Health crises can hit when we least expect it, so our goal is simple. Provide patients in Singapore the confidence and certainty to seek the right healthcare when and where they need it most.”
