Needy elderly to get subsidised care from all GPs next year

Starting from next year, needy elderly Singaporeans can get subsidised treatment for three major chronic illnesses at their family doctors' clinics. This is because the Ministry of Health has extended the Primary Care Partnership Scheme to cover diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia - or high cholesterol.

The scheme was introduced in 2000 to allow eligible, means tested elderly Singaporeans to receive care at subsidised rates, but only at participating private GP (general practitioner) clinics. The aim of the scheme is to make it more convenient for the elderly to receive subsidised care nearby, instead of having to travel to a polyclinic. The move will benefit more than 19,000 patients who can get treated at the 450 GP clinics and 190 dental clinics participating in this scheme.

The scheme aims to make it more convenient for the needy elderly to receive subsidised care at nearby private clinics, instead of having to travel to a polyclinic. Currently it only covers ailments such as coughs and colds.

Polyclinics now see 43 percent of patients with chronic diseases. The latest move will address this imbalance in the polyclinic's disproportionate share for chronic diseases and ensure right-sitting of patient care.

Chronic diseases are a growing global epidemic and Singapore is not spared from this. To tackle this problem, the MOH wants to rally both the general practitioners and the polyclinics to work together as a team and complement each others strengths. To detect chronic diseases early, Singaporeans will be encouraged to be screened at GP clinics.

From next month, those aged 40 and above will receive a letter from the Health Promotion Board to inform them of the importance of such screening, as well as the nearest GP clinic where the screening can be done. The screening programme will cover diabetes hypertension, lipid disorders and cervical cancer.

Subsidies will be given to the poorer 30 percent of the population. To qualify, patients need to come from households with a per capita income of S$700 and below, and be aged 65 and above. Disabled patients also qualify.