Doctor Raises Concerns Over Excessive Workload and Lack of Accountability in Singapore’s Healthcare System

A junior doctor in Singapore has revealed that he is scheduled to work up to 110 hours per week, from 6 am to 9 pm, for the next six months without any days off. The doctor also mentioned that he is required to complete additional administrative work at home, leading to concerns about the detrimental impact on both personal and professional well-being.

Despite Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines stipulating a maximum of 80 hours per week, the doctor reported being instructed to under-report his actual working hours. He expressed frustration over the system, asking whether he could report this issue to the authorities such as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or the MOH, though he expressed doubts that it would lead to any significant change.

In the online discussion, many fellow doctors shared similar experiences, confirming that it is common practice in the healthcare sector for junior doctors to be asked to adjust or under-report their hours to meet the official limits. Some cautioned that reporting such concerns could make life harder for the individual involved without improving the overall system.

The conversation reflects ongoing issues within the healthcare sector, not just in Singapore but globally, with doctors’ excessive workloads drawing increasing scrutiny. Calls for change and better work-life balance are being echoed across various healthcare systems, as the consequences of overwork on patient safety and medical professionals’ well-being remain a pressing concern.