Singapore has a dual system of healthcare delivery, comprising of the public and private systems. Primary healthcare is provided at outpatient polyclinics and private medical practitioners' clinics. Secondary and tertiary specialist care are provided in the public and private hospitals.

The private practitioners provide 80% of the primary healthcare services while the public polyclinics provide the remaining 20%. For hospital care, it is the reverse with 80% of hospital care being provided by the public sector and the remaining 20% by the private sector.

In 1999, the public healthcare delivery system was re-organized into two vertically integrated delivery networks, the National Healthcare Group and the Singapore Health Services. This was to enable the delivery of more integrated and better quality and healthcare services through greater cooperation and collaboration among the public sector healthcare providers. This system also minimises the duplication of services and ensures the optimal development of clinical capabilities. This public healthcare system is supported by the Singapore Civil Defence Force's Ambulance Service which provides paramedical support and transport for accident and trauma victims as well as medical emergencies.