Singapore Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim has been hospitalised with pneumonia after an Influenza A infection worsened over the weekend, prompting him to temporarily suspend his usual constituency activities.
The Sengkang GRC MP disclosed his condition in a Facebook post on Monday, October 12, explaining that what initially appeared to be a bout of sniffles had developed into a more serious illness.
“Some of you may have seen a video of my sniffling away in Parliament last week,” he wrote, describing how the symptoms eventually progressed into Influenza A and then pneumonia.
Lim said he had initially planned to take the remainder of the previous week off. However, his condition deteriorated over the weekend when his blood oxygen level fell to the low 90s, leading to his hospital admission.
From Parliament Sniffles to a Hospital Stay
Lim’s illness attracted attention after he was seen wearing a mask and repeatedly sniffing during a parliamentary sitting on October 6.
While delivering a speech on the Finance (Income Taxes) Bill, he paused several times to wipe his nose. People’s Action Party MP Diana Pang later approached him and handed him a tissue in a gesture that drew attention online.
At the time, Lim joked that his symptoms might have been caused by the haze.
He subsequently revealed that the illness was more serious than he had initially expected. His blood oxygen level dropped to the low 90s over the weekend, below the typical 95 to 100 per cent range for healthy individuals.
His hospitalisation comes as Singapore faces worsening haze conditions alongside the seasonal spread of respiratory infections.
Meet-the-People Session to Continue Despite His Absence
Lim said he would be unable to attend his regular constituency activities while recovering in hospital.
These include his scheduled Meet-the-People Session (MPS) on Monday evening, weekly house visits, estate walks and informal conversations with residents at coffee shops.
However, residents will still be able to seek assistance.
Lim said his Team Sengkang volunteers had agreed to step in and ensure the Meet-the-People Session proceeded as usual.
He added that he would do what he could remotely to process residents’ appeal letters and clear his email backlog, while thanking constituents for their patience during his absence.
The arrangement is intended to minimise disruption to residents who rely on the sessions for help with personal, housing or other community-related concerns.
Haze and Influenza A Add to Singapore’s Respiratory Health Concerns
Lim’s hospitalisation comes amid growing concern over respiratory illnesses in Singapore.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on October 11 that hospitals and polyclinics were seeing a week-on-week increase in people seeking treatment for respiratory problems as haze conditions worsened.
Ong noted that the haze season had coincided with the Influenza A season, potentially compounding the situation.
The Ministry of Health has activated the Public Health Preparedness Clinic scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme from October 12 to help eligible Singaporeans access more affordable treatment for haze-related conditions.
Authorities have also urged vulnerable groups, including older people, children, pregnant women and those with chronic heart or lung conditions, to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity when air quality is unhealthy.
What Happens Next for Jamus Lim?
Lim has not indicated how long he will remain in hospital. His regular constituency activities will be affected while he recovers, although volunteers are continuing to provide support to residents.
His announcement also serves as a reminder that respiratory symptoms that initially seem mild can sometimes develop into more serious illness.
For now, residents can continue to approach Team Sengkang volunteers for assistance while awaiting further updates on the MP’s recovery.
Lim’s immediate priority is to recover from pneumonia before resuming his parliamentary and constituency responsibilities.
