MOH to focus on active ageing, adoption of healthy lifestyle
TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Helping Singaporeans lead healthy and fulfilling lives by encouraging healthy lifestyles and active ageing will continue to be the Health Ministry’s focus for the next five years.
New initiatives by the Health Promotion Board have already been launched within the community and at workplaces to help Singaporeans stay fit and healthy, the ministry noted in its addendum to last Friday (Jan 15)’s President’s address.
“We will continue to invest in Singaporeans’ health by enabling citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles in workplaces, schools and the community,” it said. “In partnership with other government agencies, we will step up efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, and also work in tandem with Singaporeans to overcome barriers to leading a healthy lifestyle.”
In 2014, the Government banned smoking of shisha and last December, it also banned “emerging” tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes and smoking devices. From 2017, shops will not be allowed to display tobacco products. An ongoing public consultation until March this year is seeking views on tougher anti-smoking measures, such as raising the minimum age of smoking to 21, and introducing standardised tobacco packaging.
The Health Ministry will also be collaborating with various government agencies and private sectors to implement the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, not just to promote active ageing, but to build inter-generational harmony and improve the city’s infrastructure for seniors.
Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in the addendum issued today: “With the roll-out of MediShield Life, all Singaporeans now benefit from lifelong protection against large hospital bills. We will continue to develop new ways to provide healthcare services and prepare for future healthcare needs.”
In a statement responding to the ministry’s addendum, the Life Insurance Association said it would continue to work to address escalating healthcare costs, for instance, by improving price transparency of professional fees within the healthcare industry and benchmarking such fees to support the cost management of Integrated Shield Life plans. The association represents insurers AIA, Aviva, Great Eastern Life, NTUC Income and Prudential that co-run the Integrated Shield Life plans with the Central Provident Fund Board.
In terms of building healthcare capacity and accessibility, the ministry has plans to add 10,000 more beds in public and community hospitals and nursing homes, and more than 7,000 places at service providers that offer community care, home care and palliative home care. The Sengkang General and Sengkang Community hospitals will open in 2018, and the Outram Community Hospital, in 2020. The six regional healthcare systems — Alexandra Health, Eastern Health Alliance, National Healthcare Group, National University Health System, Jurong Health and SingHealth — will be reshaped to take healthcare delivery beyond hospital confines to integrate preventive, long-term and home care services.
