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Question No: 438 Question By: Dr Lam Pin Min |
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To ask the Minister for Health whether |
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(i) there were any reported cases of medical
complications related to body art tattoo; and |
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(ii) regulations are necessary in the body
art tattoo industry to prevent the possible transmission of infectious
diseases through unhygienic practices. |
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Reply from MOH |
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Tattooing procedures carry the risk of
transmitting infectious diseases, like HIV, hepatitis B and C. However,
if sterilised or disposable needles are used and proper infection
control measures are followed, the risk of infection is very small. |
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The Health Promotion Board has put in place
health education programmes, mainly through health education pamphlets,
for tattooists, barbers, hairdressers and beauticians. |
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These include information on the precautions
that should be taken, such as the use of disposable equipment where
possible, thorough disinfection and sterilization of non-disposable skin
piercing equipment, and the practice of good personal hygiene. |
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In the past 30 years, there have been no
reports of infectious disease transmission or serious complications from
a body tattooing procedure in Singapore. There is no compelling need to
regulate the industry. But we will continue to monitor this industry,
and leave open the issue of whether to introduce legislation to control
it. |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg News 12 Nov 2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 20 December 2007
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