Recommended screening tests subsidised to detect diseases early

We refer to Mr Zhu Qin Kun’s letter (“请允许动用保健储蓄健康检查, 25 Nov).

We agree with Mr Zhu that health screening is key in detecting disease early and can help reduce downstream hospitalisation costs. The Health Promotion Board’s Screen-for-Life (SFL) programme offers eligible Singaporeans subsidised screening tests for chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, selected cancers) that are appropriate for their age and gender.

These screening tests have been selected based on the recommendations of the Screening Test Review Committee (STRC). The STRC’s recommendations are based on robust international and local scientific evidence to ensure that they are safe, suitable and cost-effective in detecting the condition screened for at a population level.

The SFL subsidies ensure that the out-of-pocket costs for recommended screening tests are affordable. Under this programme, eligible Singaporeans will pay no more than $5 at participating General Practitioners’ clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) for cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer screening tests, which covers both the screening and the first follow-up consultation (if required). CHAS Blue and Orange cardholders and Merdeka Generation cardholders will pay only $2, and Pioneer Generation cardholders will not need to pay.

Those aged 60 and above may use their MediSave for SFL screenings. MediSave may also be used for colonoscopy screenings where recommended, and mammogram screenings for females aged 50 and above.

We will continue to review our healthcare financing policies to ensure that they remain relevant and adequate for Singaporeans.

Teh Shi-Hua (Ms)

Director (Subvention)

Healthcare Finance Division

Ministry of Health

受津贴体检计划 有助尽早发现疾病

谨答复《联合早报·交流站》于11月25日刊登的朱钦崑读者投函《请允许动用保健储蓄做健康检查》：

我们同意朱先生的看法，健康检查是及早发现疾病的关键，有助于减少日后的住院费用。保健促进局的全国身体检查计划“定期体检，益您一生”，为符合条件的新加坡人提供适合其年龄和性别的慢性病如糖尿病、高血压、高脂血症、特定癌症等的受津贴体检。

这些健康检查是根据身体检查检讨委员会（Screening Test Review Committee，简称STRC）的建议选定的。STRC的建议是基于可靠的国际和本地科学证据，确保全民体检能以安全、合适和具成本效益的方式检测疾病。

“定期体检，益您一生”津贴确保所推荐的体检的自付费用是负担得起的。根据这项计划，符合条件的新加坡人在参与社保援助计划（CHAS）的普通诊所进行心血管疾病、结肠直肠癌和子宫颈癌筛查时，包括检查和首次复诊（若有需要），所须支付费用不超过5元。CHAS蓝卡和橙卡持卡人和立国一代持卡人只须支付2元，建国一代持卡人则免付费。

60岁及以上的人可以使用他们的保健储蓄进行“定期体检，益您一生”检查。保健储蓄也可用于经医生建议的结肠镜检查，以及50岁及以上女性的乳房X光检查（mammogram）。

我们会继续检讨我们的医疗资助政策，以确保这些政策对新加坡人充分有效。

卫生部保健财务司（资助）司长
郑诗华