Denise Phua on Building a Healthier SG
While strongly supporting the intent behind the Healthier SG plan to transform Singapore’s healthcare system, MP Denise Phua raised several concerns during the debate on the White Paper in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 4). She pointed out that the move to take personal ownership of one’s own health is far more complicated than developing a health plan. She asked how the authorities intend to encourage the necessary change in mindset and behaviour and why there is little mention of upstream intervention, such as in schools. On mobilising a network of family doctors, Ms Phua noted the potential difficulties for a general practitioner who sees dozens of patients a day to transition to being a family doctor who must take a lot more time to be more consultative and holistic. With many people visiting polyclinics as their first port of call or going to their employer's panel of doctors, she also wanted to know how a single family doctor will be determined. Lastly, Ms Phua asked how regional clusters under Healthier SG will better organise community partners to improve patients’ overall well-being.
While strongly supporting the intent behind the Healthier SG plan to transform Singapore’s healthcare system, MP Denise Phua raised several concerns during the debate on the White Paper in Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 4). She pointed out that the move to take personal ownership of one’s own health is far more complicated than developing a health plan. She asked how the authorities intend to encourage the necessary change in mindset and behaviour and why there is little mention of upstream intervention, such as in schools. On mobilising a network of family doctors, Ms Phua noted the potential difficulties for a general practitioner who sees dozens of patients a day to transition to being a family doctor who must take a lot more time to be more consultative and holistic. With many people visiting polyclinics as their first port of call or going to their employer's panel of doctors, she also wanted to know how a single family doctor will be determined. Lastly, Ms Phua asked how regional clusters under Healthier SG will better organise community partners to improve patients’ overall well-being.