Everything you need to know about Medical Certificates (MCs) in Singapore and how to get one!
8 min read | not-intended-to-game-the-system
Are you really sick? Get an online Doctor Consults from anywhere!
(an easy guide)
Digital Health Clinic
27 Aug 2024
In Singapore you can get a MC, if you are really sick
But you cannot get an MC if you are well!
There have been cases where MCs are "issued" to patients who wanted to skip work or school, but who were not really sick. This is not legal. But if you are really sick with mild symptoms, telemedicine may be your best choice! You get to skip the queue, see a doctor within 5 to 10 minutes, and get your much needed rest. You'd be surprised to know that majority of minor illnesses do not require any curative treatment. They merely require rest, allowing the body's own immune system to fight and fend itself. There are medicines that can be taken to alleviate annoying symptoms, but do not make you recover faster.
Can lie to the Doctor to get an "easy" MC?
Please don't. If genuinely sick, you deserve the rest.
Doctors are not lie detectors, and many diagnoses depend self-reported symptoms. Much of the time, a physical examination in clinic may not be able to help Doctors differentiate the 'liars' from the the 'really sick'. Take Primary headaches, for example; most headaches rely on history taking. Neither a physical examination nor even an MRI, will be able to differentiate a 'falsely reported' symptom of a headache from a genuine one.
Moreover, this has been a recent issue of discussion and concern surrounding 'excessive' or 'inappropriate' issuance of MCs by Doctors in Singapore.
Malingerers may have personal reasons for their lying, these include:
- Getting drugs such as pain medications
- Seeking attention
- Avoiding national service
- Getting leave from school or work
- Avoiding legal action
The doctor may suspect malingering:
- The person's situation could be improved by getting a certain diagnosis
- Symptoms are not coherent with signs of illness
- The person doesn't follow treatments or follow-up with care
- The person has a diagnosis of an anti-social personality disorder
How many days of MC can I get?
The number of days of MC you can get, depends largely on the doctor's assessment of your illness (type and severity), and the expected duration of recovery. In some cases, to minimize spread of infectious diseases, as with the case of Covid-19 or HFMD, MCs can be issued for an extended duration as recommended by infectious disease guidelines.
As a rule of thumb, Doctors tend not to give MCs beyond 3 days at one go for Tele-consultation. This is because closer reviews might be necessary, especially if the symptoms do not improve or worsen.
If you are seeing Doctor repeatedly (e.g. frequent symptoms, more than 1 to 2 times a month), rather than to repeatedly issue MCs, a doctor may advise you to a specialist for further review or to visit your nearest GP for a physical examination.
| Illness | MC Duration (Estimated Duration) |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea & Vomiting | 1 to 2 days Usually resolves quickly within 24-48hours. If you have diarrhea lasting more than 3 days, have blood in stools, fever or persistent sharp tummy pain, please see a Doctor in clinic for a proper assessment. |
| Headache | 1 day Usually resolves within a day with adequate pan relief, rest or hydration. If you have sudden onset intense headaches (thunderclap-like), headaches that are triggered by exertion (e.g. exercise or sex), early morning headaches, you may need a follow up with a Neurologist who can arrange an MRI for you. |
| Cough, Runny Nose, Sore throat, Fever | 1 to 3 days Usually improves within 2-3 days. If you have any chest pain (e.g. when coughing or taking deep breaths), shortness of breath or persistently high fever > 3-4 days, you may have a more serious infection. Do visit your GP for a physical assessment. |
| Hand Foot Mouth Disease | 7 to 10 days Usually improves in about 5 days, but considered infectious for up to 10 days. Most individuals recover well. Some individuals may experience temporary finger or toe nail loss subsequently. If you have persistently high fever, numbness or weakness in any part of the body, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, severe headaches or are unable to tolerate orally because of significant pain, you may need to visit the emergency department. |
| Chicken Pox | 7 days Usually improves in 5 to 7 days. Considered infectious as long as there are fluid filled vesicles that have not dried up. If you have persistently high fever, numbness or weakness in any part of the body, sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, severe headaches or are unable to tolerate orally because of significant pain, you may need to visit the emergency department. |
| Insomnia or Poor sleep | 1 day Usually improves with adequate rest. Sleep Hygiene is advised: (1) No activity or work in bed (2) Don't stay in bed if unable to sleep (3) Remove clocks from the room - clock watching or counting hours left to sleep worsens the condition (4) Regular exercise (in the early evenings) (5) Avoid day naps (6) Avoid Caffeinated Drinks. |
| Low Back Pain | 1 to 2 days Usually improves with early mobility and avoiding carrying heavy items. If you have numbness or weakness in the lower limbs, bowel incontinence, difficulty passing urine you will need to be attended urgently in the Emergency Department. |
| Gout | 1 to 2 days Usually improves within 24-48hours with adequate hydration & pain relief (colchicine, NSAIDs +/- Prednisolone). If you have 3 or more attacks in a year, you may want to consider starting Uric Acid Lowering therapy (allopurinol). We will be able to advise you and arrange the necessary blood tests required. |
| Period or Menstrual Cramps | 1 day Usually occurs around day 1-2 of menses. If you have missed your last period, significantly heavier flow, have abnormal vaginal discharge or fever, you will be advised to visit a GP for further assessment. |
Are digital MCs valid in Singapore?
MCs are legitimate as long as they are issued by SMC-registered doctors. As the MC is a computer-generated MC, the doctor's signature is not required. The doctor's name and MCR number are stated on the DigiMC. To further cement its authenticity, ensure that the digital MC is issued from the https://mc.gov.sg domain. If your employer does not accept your MC, you may inform them that this is a new initiative by GovTech and point them to this webpage www.mc.gov.sg for more information. For further clarifications, your employer can contact GovTech via the support form.
At Remedy.sg, your health and convenience are our top priorities. Our medical certificates are issued by qualified and registered Singapore Doctors under Digital Health Clinic [Ministry of Health License No: R/23M1175/MDS/001/232] . All our physicians are proud members of the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). Our meticulous selection process includes thorough background checks, credential verification, and personal interviews, all part of our commitment to bringing you professional care in telemedicine services.
All our doctors follow prevailing SMEC Ethical Code and Ethical guidelines governing the issuance of Medical Certificates (MCs) in Singapore.
Why do you need to get an Medical Certificate (MC) in Singapore?
In Singapore, obtaining a Medical Certificate (MC) for missing work, a class, or an exam is a common requirement. Workplaces and schools often mandate that employees and students provide an MC to validate absences due to illness. This practice is crucial, especially when dealing with contagious conditions that could spread to other colleagues or students.
Attending work or school with a fever or other contagious symptoms is highly discouraged for several reasons. Firstly, it puts others at risk. For instance, in 2021, an Covid-19 outbreak occurred in schools because students attended classes while still contagious. This not only compromised the health of other students but also disrupted the school environment. In the workplace, the situation is no different. When employees come to work while ill, they risk spreading their illness to coworkers. This can lead to a domino effect where more employees fall sick, ultimately affecting the overall productivity of the company.
Contagious illnesses like the flu, common cold, or more severe infections like COVID-19 can spread rapidly in a closed environment, making it vital to stay home when unwell. Moreover, attending work or school while sick can hinder your recovery. Your body needs rest to fight off the illness effectively. By pushing yourself to attend work or school, you risk prolonging your illness or worsening your condition, which can lead to longer periods of absence in the long run.
Another reason to avoid attending work or school when sick is the impact on mental and physical health. Being sick can already be stressful, and adding the pressure of work or school responsibilities can exacerbate this stress, making it harder for your body to recover. In addition, many organizations and educational institutions in Singapore have policies in place that require an MC to be presented for absences due to illness. This is to ensure that the absence is legitimate and to maintain a healthy environment for everyone. By obtaining an MC, you are following these protocols and helping to maintain the integrity of your workplace or school. In Singapore, the Employment Act protects employees by granting them a paid sick leave entitlement.
In conclusion, it’s essential to get sufficient rest and fully recover before returning to work or school. This not only helps in preventing the spread of contagious illnesses but also ensures that you are fit and ready to resume your responsibilities without risking your health or the health of others. Always prioritize your well-being and adhere to the necessary health guidelines by obtaining an MC when you are unwell.
"I am residing in Malaysia. Can I consult a Singapore doctor and get an MC?"
Yes! In fact, many foreign workers in Singapore have their primary place of residence in Malaysia, particularly Johor Bahru. You can arrange a teleconsultation via video call with a doctor in Singapore, who will be able to assess your condition and issue an MC accordingly.
Can I convert my Malaysia-issued MC to a Singapore-issued MC?
In general, our attending doctor can issue a new Singapore Medical Certificate (MC) provided that they have independently assessed that your medical condition and reason for medical leave is legitimate. However, if after a thorough assessment there are doubts regarding the legitimacy of the medical condition and/or the authenticity of the original Medical Certificate (MC), the attending doctor may decline to issue a new one.
Please note that the date of issue on the new MC will be the day of your consultation and cannot be backdated.
We recommend that employees speak to their employers first to determine if they will accept foreign-issued MCs.
More questions we have been asked about Medical Certificates...
Medical Certificates in Singapore are recognized as long as they are issued by doctors registered by the Singapore Medical Council. Moreover, our electronic medical certificate (e-MC) will be issued using MC.GOV.SG with verifiable link and QR code.
A valid Medical Certificate comprises the following:
- 1. Serial number for validation of authenticity
- 2. Type of medical leave (For example, unfit for school or duty)
- 3. Date of issue of MC
- 4. Duration of leave given
- 5. Name and MCR of the Doctor (anonymous Doctors not allowed)
- 6. Your name and identification number
- 7. For DigiMC, ensure that it is issued from 'https://mc.gov.sg'
No, if our Doctor has assessed that you are well and fit for work - a Medical Certificate cannot be issued.
In general, our Doctors will issue an appropriate duration of MC that is consummate with the expected recovery period. This typically ranges between 1 to 3 days depending on the type of illness and severity.
Our Doctors will need to assess if an extension of MC is warranted (with or without a subsequent video consult). In some cases, where your illness is taking longer than usual to resolve, our doctor will take necessary steps to advice you further and may suggest a in-clinic review.
A consult fee may be applicable if the doctor requires that a video consult is needed before extending your MC. Otherwise, an administrative fee of $8 will be charged for all MC extensions.
It is illegal to buy a Medical Certificate in Singapore. A doctor will have to assess your illness over a compulsory video consult before a Medical Certificate can be issued. Thankfully, seeing a Doctor for minor ailments can be easy and straight forward - it can be done in under 5 - 10 minutes.
Yes, in Singapore all Medical Certificates must be issued only after a proper assessment by a licensed Doctor through a consultation (whether Physical or Video call).
Yes - during your video consult doctors will assess your medical condition and suitability for a Medical Certificate. The doctor will also advise you on your need for medications.
- Your electronic Medical Certificate will be sent as a soft-copy promptly after payment.
- Our electronic Medical Certificates are official and recognized in Singapore.
- Note that if you do not require or have decline medications, only the consultation fee will be charged.
See Online Doctor | No Waiting
Online Medical Provider - Digital Health Clinic
To see the queue status (estimated wait time):
Check today's Queue Status
Step 1: Register into queue
For first time users only, do a quick registration:
Register (FIrst-time users)
For existing users, simply join the queue directly with your ID number:
Join QUEUE (Existing Users)
Step 2: Get your ID ready for verification.
All video consults require a photo ID verification. Scrambling to find that ID card in a wallet you left somewhere takes time!
Time Spent: 5 seconds to verify your identity (Flash it in front of the video screen for Dr)
Step 3: See Doctor
The doctor will follow up with a several screening questions. This is the most important stage and we never want the doctor to rush through this. The consult time can take anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes on the average, sometimes longer depending on the complexity of illness.
A good doctor should at the end of the consult tell you a 3 key things:
1. What your likely diagnosis is based on the Doctor's professional assessment (even if the diagnosis is unclear, undifferentiated)
2. How you can manage it (even if the management is conservative or purely symptomatic)
3. What to expect and look out for over the next few days (even if the symptoms are currently mild)
Average Time Spent: 60 - 300 seconds
Step 4: Make Payment
Settle your bills promptly after the consult to avoid delays. At our platform, medical certificates are issued alongside the receipt once payment has been made.
Time Spent: 30 to 60 seconds
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