Affordable Health Planning Programmes

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2652 

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 3 APRIL 2024

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms See Jinli Jean

Nominated MP 

Question No. 5857

To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are plans to provide adult Singaporeans access to affordable health planning programmes; and (b) whether the Ministry will support the growth and development of professional health and wellbeing coaches to cater for such health planning needs.

Answer

1      We have made health planning affordable for Healthier SG enrollees by fully subsidising their first Health Plan consultations with their enrolled family doctor. During these consultations, residents discuss follow-up actions to improve their health with their family doctors, such as health screening and exercise and diet adjustments. More than half of Healthier SG enrollees have consulted their chosen doctors to develop a personal Health Plan. 

2      On top of this, there are other types of planning and support available from community partners and healthcare clusters. For example, Sport Singapore’s (SportSG) Active Health Labs offer residents opportunities to have a guided fitness and health assessment, and recommendations on how to achieve fitness and health goals. Healthcare providers can prescribe Active Health's targeted programmes to residents who are medically at-risk of lifestyle-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity or hypertension. Some Community Health Posts provided by healthcare clusters at accessible locations, such as Active Ageing Centres, also provide support for individuals to make diet and lifestyle changes. Resources, such as informative articles, recommended programmes, are also available on HealthHub and Healthy 365, to support residents in embracing a healthier lifestyle. 

3      Health planning and support covers a wide scope of activities involving different groups, including Government agencies like the Ministry of Health, People’s Association and SportSG as well as the groups in the community like professional associations. All agencies and organisations across the healthcare and sporting ecosystems have a role to play in upskilling staff, volunteers and partners, including health and wellbeing coaches, to support the delivery of better health.