Scheme providing subsidies for haze-related conditions to start Oct 12: Ong Ye Kung
MOH has seen an uptick in the number of people visiting hospitals’ emergency departments and polyclinics for respiratory issues
Starting October 12, Singaporeans dealing with haze-related health issues will be eligible for subsidised care under the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) Scheme initiated by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung. Those falling into certain age brackets and holding specific cards will only pay up to $10 for treatment at polyclinics and GP clinics.
Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will have their costs capped at $5, while those on the Public Assistance scheme will receive fully subsidized care. The scheme extends to conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infections, and complications arising from these illnesses.
Ong attributes the increase in respiratory-related visits to hospitals and clinics partly to the overlapping haze season and Influenza A season. The Haze Subsidy Scheme, introduced in 2013, was last activated during the 2015 haze crisis. Ong emphasized the importance of using emergency rooms for serious cases and clinics for less urgent matters, noting that hospitals have prepared necessary measures such as activating ventilators and air purifiers, and closing windows in wards.
Written by urgent.news from The Business Times - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
