Pandemic has taught Singapore valuable lessons, says PM Lee

April 25, 2022 08:58

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the Covid-19 pandemic has taught Singapore valuable lessons "for which we have paid dearly", lessons that must not go to waste.

Speaking at an event on Sunday to mark 200 years since the establishment of Singapore General Hospital, Lee said Singapore "cannot thoughtlessly revert to the status quo ante" after the pandemic.

"We must make the most of the changes forced on us by the crisis to improve the way we do things," the prime minister said.

Lee credited Singapore's resilient healthcare system, an effective public health response and a high degree of public trust with making a big difference in weathering the pandemic. But while we count our blessings, we must prepare seriously for the next pandemic," said Lee.

It is entirely possible that within the next few decades, another novel pathogen more lethal and infectious than Covid-19 will sweep the world, the Channel News Asia quoted Lee as saying.

This means Singapore must keep its standards for medical excellence high, by investing in healthcare workers and good medical facilities and infrastructure, Lee said. -- PTI

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