Reports of abuse and harassment against healthcare workers in the public healthcare sector have nearly doubled over the past two years, according to data released at the end of September. In 2025, there were 4,200 such cases reported across public healthcare institutions, up from 2,200 in 2023. Of these, approximately 13%—or 550 cases—were escalated to the police, compared to about 16% (350 cases) in 2023.
Minister of State for Health Rahulya Mahzam, who also serves as adviser to the Tripartite Workgroup for the Prevention of Abuse and Harassment of Healthcare Workers, attributed the rise in reported incidents to increased awareness about unacceptable behavior and greater confidence among healthcare staff to report misconduct and seek action. Speaking at the annual Safety and Security Week event hosted by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) and Yishun Community Hospital, she emphasized that while healthcare environments can involve difficult interactions, abuse and harassment must never be tolerated.
The Tripartite Workgroup, established in 2022 by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Manpower, concluded its term with the launch of a final report on September 30. The group, chaired by Dr. Vikram Rao, chief medical officer of KTPH and Yishun Community Hospital, included 15 members representing healthcare institutions, government agencies, and labor unions. It was convened to coordinate a national response to the pervasive problem of workplace abuse in healthcare, which more than two-thirds of workers reported witnessing or experiencing in the previous year.
Among the group’s key contributions was the creation of a standardized definition of abuse and harassment. This definition encompasses any words, actions, or behaviors that cause healthcare workers to feel intimidated, alarmed, distressed, or that interfere with their ability to perform their duties. The group also developed a severity classification system for incidents, outlining recommended responses based on the nature and seriousness of the behavior.
The report noted several institutional measures implemented to protect staff, including the designation of chief wellness officers and dedicated staff protection units. It also recommended that patients displaying abusive behavior be asked to leave healthcare facilities if medically fit for discharge. KTPH cited a specific case involving a patient who had overstayed on medical grounds for nearly a decade and repeatedly abused staff; this individual was only recently removed following legal and administrative efforts.
The working group emphasized the importance of ensuring that healthcare workers have access to resources, information, and support systems that enable them to report abuse without fear of retaliation. It urged healthcare institutions to maintain vigilance over abusive behavior to prevent escalation and safeguard the well-being of their staff.