A healthcare firm clarified that its record high rental bid of more than S$52,000 (US$40,300) per month for a clinic space in a Singapore public housing estate was driven by the location’s appeal, sparking public debate over rental and healthcare costs.
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Andrew Chim, co-owner of I-Health Medical Holdings, explained that the unit in Tampines – which has a monthly rent of S$52,188 – is located in an area where five Build-To-Order public housing estates are being developed, which will accommodate around 5,000 households. Additionally, there are plans for future developments, including a shopping centre.
Chim, 37, told the government-owned The Straits Times on Tuesday that these factors made the space the most appealing option among recent public housing units for general practitioner clinics.
He said consultation fees would still be comparable with clinics in similar estates, ranging from S$30 to S$35, and expects the clinic to make a profit in 1½ to 2 years.
Tampines is Singapore’s most populous public housing estate, with more than 240,000 residents as of March 2024, according to government data.
I-Health won the tender to operate the 50 square metre (538 square feet) ground-floor unit in March this year after bidding closed in January.