Indonesian Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, lauds Singapore’s policy to employ Indonesian nurses in hospitals and health facilities, addressing the workforce needs amidst Singapore’s aging population. This endorsement came during a meeting with Singapore’s Minister of Manpower, Tan See Leng, signaling a collaborative effort to tackle healthcare challenges.

With Singapore facing a demographic shift towards an older population, the need for healthcare workers has intensified. Indonesia, experiencing a demographic dividend with a larger working-age population, is poised to meet this demand, highlighting a mutual benefit in workforce mobility between the two nations.

In 2023, 60 Indonesian Health Care Assistants were welcomed into Singapore, with plans to send more Enrolled and Registered Nurses who have passed the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) Exam, indicating a growing reliance on Indonesian healthcare professionals.

Ida Fauziyah emphasizes the importance of keeping the policy receptive to Indonesian nurses, ensuring Singapore’s healthcare sector remains robust in catering to its aging society, where 1 in 5 people are currently over the age of 65.

By 2030, it is projected that 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be over 65 years old, necessitating a steady influx of healthcare workers to sustain economic and healthcare services efficiency.

Beyond healthcare, Indonesia is ready to supply workers in other sectors to Singapore, such as food and beverage, hospitality, and retail, showcasing the diverse talent pool available for Singapore’s economy.

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Singapore’s Minister of Manpower, Tan See Leng, appreciates the quality of Indonesian nurses, highlighting their significant role in Singapore’s healthcare system, especially given the substantial number of Indonesian patients in Singapore hospitals.

The collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore in the healthcare sector signifies a strategic approach to managing an aging population through international workforce support. It reflects a broader trend of regional cooperation in addressing demographic challenges and enhancing healthcare services quality.

The meeting between the manpower ministers of Indonesia and Singapore underscores an ongoing partnership aimed at addressing Singapore’s healthcare workforce needs amidst an aging population. Indonesia’s readiness to provide skilled healthcare professionals, along with workers in other sectors, presents a win-win situation, ensuring the sustainability of Singapore’s healthcare system and offering employment opportunities for Indonesians abroad.

Source: Info Publik, Suara.com (2024)