Safe food, air, and water, secure healthcare, and a comfortable life... all these are indispensable elements that make it the "healthiest country." Why is Singapore known as the healthiest country in the world? Below, our editor will introduce it to those interested in Singapore immigration!
Food: 90% Imported, 99% Safe
In the ingredient lists of packaged foods in Singaporean supermarkets, the trans-fat content is almost entirely "0," and most products are labeled with terms like "natural coloring," "no artificial additives," and "low salt." People feel very secure about their food. This is because over 90% of Singapore's food is imported, and 99% of it is safe. The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) maintains strict control over the inspection of imported food, conducting random checks at any time. If any issues are found in the sampled food, the entire batch of goods will be destroyed. Therefore, no one dares to take the risk.
Environment: A Globally Renowned Garden City with a Focus on Mosquito Control
People are not only confident in the food at markets and supermarkets but also in the dining at food courts and hawker centers found everywhere. Many people have their three meals a day here, drinking tea, coffee, and eating desserts. I later learned that all food courts and wet markets are closed once every three months for a thorough cleaning.
Singapore attaches great importance to the environment. Because tropical regions have many diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as malaria and dengue fever, the government places great emphasis on mosquito control. The fundamental approach to mosquito control is to prevent them from breeding. This requires keeping every place free of stagnant water. Government officials will conduct door-to-door inspections, and if stagnant water is found in a home, the owner will be fined. People are also accustomed to frequently changing the water in flower vases and fish tanks.
Singapore is known as the "city under the trees," and in fact, its reputation as a "Garden City" has long been world-renowned. It is truly lush and full of flowers and trees everywhere. One of the most common types of rain trees along the roads has a thick trunk, a beautiful shape, and dense, umbrella-shaped branches that block the sky and connect above the roads. As for Gardens by the Bay, the modern landmark of the "City in a Garden," as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his opening speech, "The land it occupies could actually have been used to develop more profitable commercial or residential projects." However, the Singaporean government prefers to allow Singaporeans to enjoy "a bit of spring and a bit of autumn" through two massive air-conditioned conservatories (maintained at a constant temperature of 23°C).
Healthcare: Over 800 Clinics in 710 Square Kilometers
Having lived in Singapore for nearly two years, going to a clinic for medical treatment has become a part of daily life. For any minor ailment or discomfort, I often walk into a general practitioner (GP) clinic in the neighborhood, as if I have developed a reliance on the doctors. The doctors always receive you gently, listen carefully to your description of physical discomfort, examine you, explain, prescribe medicine, give injections, and provide instructions. You can ask any health-related questions, and they are never impatient. When encountering problems they cannot solve, the doctors will also tell you which hospital to go to and what kind of specialist to see. If you do not know how to make an appointment with a specialist, the clinic doctor can even do it for you.
However, do not think that clinics only have "minor" doctors. In Singapore, even the family clinics downstairs often have doctors who have studied abroad for master's or doctoral degrees, or who have impressive award or advanced training records. Here, the quality of a doctor has nothing to do with the medical institution they work for; many renowned doctors prefer to leave large hospitals to open their own clinics.
Singapore's land area is only 710 square kilometers, with a population of over 5 million. According to data from the Ministry of Health's website, as of 2010, Singapore had 30 hospitals, including 15 public hospitals and 15 private hospitals. In addition, there were 18 polyclinics and nearly 800 private clinics. Based on my observations, a large public housing estate typically has 5 to 6 clinics, ranging from general practice to dentistry, dermatology, traditional Chinese medicine, and orthopedics. There are 8,819 doctors in total (excluding 1,506 dentists), with an average of nearly 18 doctors per 10,000 residents (excluding dentists).
Health Savings Scheme
If clinics are for resolving daily minor illnesses, then Singapore's "3M" system acts as a protective umbrella for citizens, especially when dealing with major illnesses. The "3M" system refers to "Medisave," "MediShield," and "MediFund," which are primarily designed to help citizens cope with medical and healthcare expenses.
The quantity and quality of hospitals and doctors, along with the government's medical insurance system, give Singaporeans a sense of security when they fall ill. Furthermore, the overall level of medical technology here provides even more reassurance. According to a World Health Organization report, Singapore's overall medical standard ranks sixth in the world and first in Asia.
Exercise: Public Swimming Pools Cost Only One Dollar per Visit
Although Singapore has not won a gold medal in the Olympic Games, fitness facilities are spread across every corner of the country.
What feels fresh is the dedicated running track, which winds through flowers and trees. The track is not only marked with yellow lines but also frequently features patterns and text such as a running figure, 300 meters, 500 meters, start, and finish, looking very professional. Beyond the track, there are other sports venues in the residential estates, such as badminton courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, and soccer fields.
Singapore has many public swimming pools, and there is a dedicated website that publishes information such as the addresses, phone numbers, pool types, parking spaces, and seating availability during competitions for these pools. Public use costs only one dollar (about 5 RMB) per visit. In addition, private condominiums are spread across the country, and every residential complex is equipped with a swimming pool.
The Health Promotion Board of Singapore launched the National Physical Activity Guidelines last August, recommending that adults and the elderly engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. Research shows that a total of 150 minutes of activity per week can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, stroke, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer by 20% to 50%.
To create an environment conducive to exercise for citizens, 10 MRT stations were transformed into "Health MRT Stations" before the end of October last year. Signs are posted in the stations encouraging people to take the stairs and stand more, and videos of "Singapore Exercises" are played on screens.
The CEO of the Health Promotion Board stated that their goal is for more than 70% of Singaporeans to meet the minimum physical activity standards by 2020, allowing Singaporeans to rank in the top 30% for physical activity among OECD countries.
