Chronic Disease Management

10 July 2012

Question No. 496

Name of person: Mr Laurence Lien

To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the progress the Ministry has made in promoting better chronic disease management since 2008, particularly in getting Singaporeans to be more informed of their chronic diseases and to come forward to have their chronic diseases managed regularly and treated consistently.

Answer

1.                 Since 2008, the Ministry has been promoting early detection and better chronic disease management through the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and the Integrated Screening Programme (ISP). Through ISP, Singaporeans are encouraged to visit CDMP GP clinics to be screened for common chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders), cervical, breast and colorectal cancer, and we provide subsidies to lower income Singaporeans. To date, over 48,000 persons have been screened under ISP, out of which over half (53.2%) were detected with one or more chronic diseases. HPB is currently working towards improving the screening programme through an Enhanced ISP, which will customise the tests to be taken based on the individual’s age, gender and risk profile, and also provide better follow-up.

2.                 Should individuals be found to have abnormal screening results, they can be followed up at the CDMP GP clinics or polyclinics. CDMP not only allows patients to use their Medisave to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for the outpatient treatment of their chronic conditions, but also ensures a more systematic monitoring and treatment of these chronic conditions, in accordance with international best practices. CDMP coverage has been expanded from the initial three conditions (diabetes, hypertension and lipid disorders) to also include stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), schizophrenia and major depression, dementia and bi-polar disorder), to benefit more Singaporeans. In Jan 2012, we increased withdrawal limit for outpatient treatment of chronic conditions from $300 to $400 per account.

3.                 131,000 patients benefited from the use of Medisave under CDMP in 2011. Patients on CDMP have shown positive outcomes. For example,  Diabetes patients staying 12 months on the programme had a lower rate of disease-related hospitalisation, than those staying less than 12 months.

4.                 In addition to being able to use Medisave, government subsidies are also made available for Singaporeans who qualify for the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) at CHAS GP clinics for the management of their chronic conditions.

5.                 MOH has recently expanded the CHAS eligibility criteria to cover those 40 years and above and having a per capita monthly household income of up to $1500, thus benefitting more Singaporeans.

6.                 To help Singaporeans to be more informed of their chronic conditions and seek treatment, HPB has introduced community initiatives such as Health Ambassadors (HAs) at screening events, Health Promoting Community Clubs, Health Promoting Malls.

7.                 Through HPB’s community initiatives and MOH’s programmes, we aim to help Singaporeans to be more informed of their chronic diseases and to encourage them to come forward to have their chronic diseases managed regularly and treated consistently.