MINISTERIAL STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT
24 APR 2003

SARS - A NATIONAL RESPONSE

A NATIONAL CRISIS
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a grave threat to Singapore. It has taken a heavy toll on our public health, our economy and our society. We have to muster all our resolve and resources, in order to fight SARS. Then we can bring the SARS outbreak under control, restore confidence, boost morale, and get the economy moving. If we fail to do so, and allow the disease to overwhelm us, the consequences will be catastrophic.

A VIGOROUS AND COMPREHENSIVE RESPONSE
Tackling SARS calls for an effective and comprehensive plan, vigorously implemented, with the full support and co-operation of Singaporeans. We have mobilised the whole Government machinery for this purpose. The Ministry of Health and the hospitals are fully engaged in the medical measures to combat SARS. In addition, we have set up a Ministerial Committee, chaired by Mr Wong Kan Seng, to coordinate all the ministries and departments involved, to support the Ministry of Health and direct the broader response.

Mr Lim Hng Khiang has presented the public health measures. Let me explain the overall action plan. There are three battlefronts - public health, the economy and the society.