Rahayu Mahzam on support for patients with motor neurone disease

Patients with motor neurone disease (MND) often face difficulty getting around, even in travelling from their homes to clinics for medical consultations. Those who are wheelchair-bound can use private ambulances for this, but those who are bedridden, on tube-feeding or portable ventilator support may need special transport arrangements. Patients who face financial difficulties may be referred to medical social workers for help. To reduce the need for travel, some patients are offered follow-up video consultations by the National Neuroscience Institute. Home-based nursing care is also available for stable MND patients not on ventilation support. Meanwhile, those who need respiratory support can tap services provided by Tan Tock Seng Hospital and funded by the Ministry of Health for home-based ventilation support, caregiver training and follow-ups for chronic conditions to minimise their clinic visits. Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Health Rahayu Mahzam gave these details in Parliament on Monday (Oct 3) in response to an MP’s question.