Tampines residents get subsidised health screenings

[MarrickG]

SINGAPORE - Tampines ECHO, a community-based chronic disease prevention programme by Changi General Hospital and Tampines Group Representation Consituency, aims to prevent or delay the onset ailments such as diabetes, high-blood pressure and cholesterol and obesity with annual health screenings at subsidised rates and health-coaching workshops.

It was launched this morning by Minister of Education Heng Swee Keat, who is also a Member of Parliament of Tampines group representation constituency.

It aims to reach 3,000 Tampines residents, aged 18 and above over the next three years.

These health screening is free for Tampines residents aged 55 and above for the first year. Thereafter, it will cost S$10 - the same rate for residents aged 35 and above - which includes screening for diabetes and cholesterol. Residents aged 18 to 34 need only pay S$2 for to test for obesity and hypertension.

CGH's dieticians and physiotherapists will advise these residents how to keep themselves healthy, reduce smoking and exercise correctly at no charge, said CGH's chief executive TK Udairam. The programme is run by some 30 doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and coordinators from CGH and about 100 volunteers and grassroots leaders from Tampines grassroots organization will reach out to residents.

The prevention programme is a first for CGH and Tampines GRC. If successful, it will be rolled out island-wide, said Mr Udairam said.

The programme will cost S$3 million over 5 years with the Government funding 80 per cent of the total cost.

 

[chupacabra]

Peanuts for the PAP goberment. Tobacco tax can easily cover the entire peesai island for all these screenings. But of course pappies want to keep all these easy money for themselves.

 

[BuiKia]

Why use public fund but benefit only a small group of people?

The residents there strong supporter during the last GE is it?

 

[rusty]

First it was Macpherson helping the old now it is Tampines....next?