Grabbing the much hot topic of health-care reform in Asia in his keynote speech at a two-day Economist Conference held on March 30, 2010, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan revealed that politicians are the culprits behind rising costs. He criticized them by quoting that their duty is to bring the truth to light, and not promise free health care for all if it’s raising costs are to be controlled.

The key issues calling for the need for a reform included health-care cost that continues to climb faster than general inflation, more health-care expenditure does not seem to lead to better health; however, patients’ expectation is witnessed to surge.

"Such a population has the potential and capacity to consciously choose healthy lifestyles, pursue disease prevention, early detection and treatment, and to comply with disease management regimes", he added.

With health-care reform much controversial in countries from Australia to the United States now, Mr. Khaw revealed to the gathering of about 200 health professionals at the Fullerton Hotel that aging populations and sluggish economic growth are imposing severe cost pressures on systems.

However, many economists have claimed that market is likely to witness a failure in health care as evidently seen.