SINGAPORE: Prevention is better than cure and the Ministry of Health wants more Singaporeans to take greater care of their health through exercise and health screening.

Speaking at the sidelines of a free public health screening event on Saturday, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said health screenings are a good way to identify chronic conditions early.

But he also urged doctors to ensure that their patients follow up with the proper treatment, warning that many patients fail to do so and this could lead to further complications.

He said: "Call them up, get their telephone number and nag them. If they don't see their general practitioner, ask them why. If there is financial difficulty, we can arrange through polyclinics. Affordability cannot be the issue, but inertia is a big issue." - CNA/vm