TASKFORCE TO DRIVE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION EFFORTS IN HEALTH PROMOTION

Harnessing the power of community, infrastructure, technology and behavioural insights as enablers to create a healthier Singapore

             A new multi-agency taskforce led by Senior Parliamentary Secretaries from various Ministries has been appointed by the Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, to drive the national transformation of Singapore’s health promotion landscape and nurture a healthier population. Mr Amrin Amin, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs, chairs the Taskforce.

2           To encourage Singaporeans to get involved in shaping a healthier Singapore, the Taskforce will hold public consultations from January to May 2019 to seek views and suggestions on how we can transform our health promotion efforts to make healthy living the norm for every Singaporean.

3           The Taskforce comprises the following members:

• Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth;

• Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower, and Mayor of South West Community Development Council;

• Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Social and Family Development and Ministry of Education; and

• Ms Sun Xueling, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development.

4           The Taskforce aims to establish an integrated approach towards ways in which health can be infused into Singaporeans’ lives through three key thrusts – or three ‘E’s:

               a. Changes to our lived Environment;
               b. Empowerment of individuals through technology; and
               c. Engagement of our communities with better service delivery and ground programming.

5           It explore ideas that harness the power of community, infrastructure, technology and behavioural insights, to encourage Singaporeans to take steps towards adopting a healthy lifestyle. The Taskforce will also synergise and coordinate efforts across public agencies including the Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and the Community Development Council.

6           Chairman of the Taskforce Mr Amrin Amin, said, “Improving the health of all Singaporeans is a massive effort that cannot be solely undertaken by any single agency. It also needs the support of the private sector as well as the community. We hope that the Taskforce’s work will make significant strides towards transforming the health promotion landscape in Singapore. We look forward to engaging Singaporeans in this endeavour to strengthen our health promotion efforts, synergise our services, and implement game-changing ideas to build a healthier Singapore for all.”

7           The Taskforce will conduct public consultation sessions from January to May 2019 for the general public. This includes youth, adults, seniors, community partners as well as professionals in fields such as public health, social work, behavioural insights, urban design and sports, to crowd-source ideas and initiatives that can promote health. Singaporeans who are unable to participate in these face-to-face sessions can submit their views online from January to May 2019. More details will be provided closer to date.