Singapore’s new healthcare security group to help identify threats, boost preparedness

On June 20, 2015, a 26-year-old remand vehicle thief was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore after experiencing chest pains. During his detainment, he assaulted a police officer and fired three shots at the officer's revolver before attempting to flee. This incident exemplified the vulnerability of healthcare facilities to security threats and prompted the establishment of the Healthcare Industry Safety and Security Watch Group (Healthcare iSSWG) on October 14, 2015, spearheaded by the Singapore Police Force.

Aimed at strengthening defenses, the iSSWG serves various sectors, including healthcare, under a public-private security initiative. The new watch group, the 11th formed since its inception in 2008, is developing sector-specific exercises to train healthcare staff in identifying and responding to security threats. The Singapore Medical Association will facilitate communication between the police and healthcare industry to disseminate crime and security advisories.

Singapore's healthcare institutions are crucial for medical responses during crises but are susceptible to various safety and security risks, particularly due to high footfall, frontline operations, and the presence of vulnerable patients. Abuse and harassment cases against healthcare workers have nearly doubled in the past two years, with 13% of incidents deemed severe enough to report to the police.

Additionally, Singapore's terrorism threat remains high, primarily fueled by global conflicts and online extremism. In September 2025, the National Safety and Security Watch Group and Threat-Oriented Person Screening Integrated System awards were presented to 185 individuals and 24 organizations for their commitment to workplace security against terrorist threats and security exercises.