Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister Of State, Ministry Of Environment And Water Resources & Ministry Of Health, at the Kidney Dialysis Foundation Millennium Ride 2019 Closing Ceremony on 14 January 2019

Mr Watson Ong, Board Director and Fundraising Chairman, Kidney Dialysis Foundation

Distinguished Guests 

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my pleasure to join you today at the closing ceremony of the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF) Millennium Ride 2019. My warmest congratulations to the Epic cyclist group for completing the 1000-kilometre ride! I am heartened to see so many cyclists and volunteers coming together to raise funds for KDF's kidney patients.

Strengthening Upstream Prevention of Kidney Failure

2.            Singapore sees about four new cases of end stage renal disease (ESRD) each day[1]. The number of persons with kidney failure is expected to increase in Singapore. This is due to our ageing population and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, which is a leading cause of end stage renal disease. In 2016, 2 in 3 patients who were newly diagnosed to have kidney failure, also had diabetes.

3.            It is therefore important for us to reduce the risk of developing diabetes as part of our upstream efforts to prevent kidney failure. One of the key goals in our War on Diabetes is to create a supportive environment for Singaporeans to lead healthier lives, through healthy eating and increased physical activity. Beyond the efforts of the government, we can all personally take steps to choose a healthier and more active lifestyle, such as choosing plain water instead of sugared beverages after a gym session or taking the stairs instead of the lift at work.

4.            Regular screening can also help us by detecting health conditions early. In September 2017, MOH enhanced the Screen for Life (SFL) programme to encourage more Singaporeans to go for subsidised screening and post-screening consultation at primary care clinics under the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). Eligible Singaporeans have access to subsidised health screening at a low cost of $5, which includes the first post-screening consultation with a doctor. CHAS cardholders need only pay $2, while the package is free for Pioneers.

5.            For those living with chronic kidney disease, we need to support them to achieve good control of their condition and other risk factors, to prevent the progression to kidney failure. MOH has been working with the polyclinics to implement a national chronic kidney disease prevention programme called HALT-CKD, which stands for Holistic Approach in Lowering and Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease. The programme aims to prevent or slow down progression to kidney failure in diabetics, through better control of their diabetes and other chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, as well as optimising the usage of kidney protective medications. HALT-CKD has been implemented at 18 polyclinics and will be progressively rolled out to the remaining polyclinics by 2020.

6.            I am heartened to know that KDF has also been actively conducting community health talks on the importance of preventing hypertension and diabetes. This will equip members of the public with better health knowledge so that they can be in control of their well-being.

Supporting Kidney Failure Patients on Dialysis

7.            Besides preventing kidney failure, it is important to ensure that kidney failure patients have access to dialysis or kidney transplant for treatment. MOH has been working closely with our healthcare partners to encourage medically suitable patients to choose peritoneal dialysis (PD), also known as water dialysis. While the proportion of new dialysis patients who took up PD has increased from 18% in 2013 to 22% in 2017, we will continue to encourage more patients to opt for PD if medically suitable. This is because PD offers clinical benefits such as a lower risk of blood borne disease transmission, fewer dietary restrictions and less medications, as well as lifestyle benefits such as greater flexibility for patients in their daily activities. I understand that KDF currently provides financial assistance for several PD patients to reduce the costs of their PD solutions and blood tests.

Closing

8.            MOH will continue to partner and support the efforts of voluntary welfare organisations such as KDF, which are critical in providing care in the community and rallying community support. In closing, I would like to thank the Epic cyclist group for your remarkable efforts in supporting KDF in its mission to improve care for kidney failure patients. I wish all of you an enjoyable evening. Thank you.

[1] Data source: National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO) Renal Registry Report 2016