Under 'Healthier SG,' Free Health Screenings, Vaccinations for Citizens Planned

Singapore's proposed initiative, "Healthier SG," aims to democratize health care by shifting from "reactive" care to "proactive" prevention of individuals from getting sick.

The Healthier SG White Paper was submitted to Parliament yesterday, Sept. 21, and will be debated in October. The initiative comprises five features, mainly the mobilisation of family doctors for residents' preventive care; development of health plans for lifestyle adjustments, vaccinations, and regular health screenings; activation of community partners to support residents' healthy lifestyles; a national enrolment programme for citizens to visit a family doctor and choose a health plan; and the establishment of IT, manpower, and financing policy to implement Healthier SG.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Health yesterday, residents who successfully enrol with a family doctor can set up a face-to-face health consultation, which will be completely paid for by the Singaporean government. Residents will then be able to create their own health plan with their chosen doctor on how to achieve better health.

Under Healthier SG, Singapore citizens can enjoy fully paid nationally recommended health screenings and vaccinations. There will be no need for cash co-payment when residents use MediSave for chronic care management, the MOH added, and residents will have access to a Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidy tier. Moreover, residents can get rewards under the Health Promotion Board's health points system if they complete their first consultation and lead healthy lifestyles.

MOH will also organise its network of family doctors to deliver holistic care focused on preventive and improved chronic care. One of its plans is to pay private family doctors annual service fees to manage each enrolled resident, as well as a one-off grant for doctors' IT enablement so they can deliver their services better.

"Healthier SG will be a long-term, multi-year effort, as it takes time, probably eight to 10 years, to see the initial results of a healthier population,” the MOH said. “We are investing in and changing the healthcare system, to support individuals to chart their own journey towards better health.”