Medical Consultations due to Haze-induced Symptoms

Ms Hany Soh asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry has observed an increase in medical consultations due to haze-induced symptoms from year to date.

Mr Speaker, for this year, to date, there has been no significant increase in attendances for haze-relevant conditions at the public hospital Emergency Departments and polyclinics.

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I understand from a few seniors whom I have interacted with in Woodgrove recently that a number of their peers were unable to join them for their regular outdoor qigong and brisk walking activities due to respiratory-related health conditions lately. In this regard, I wish to ask, has the Ministry noticed that seniors have been particularly more prone to exacerbations of respiratory conditions during the haze period lately, given their higher vulnerability to air pollutants?

Also, how can initiatives, such as the Community Health Posts, which are intended to bring healthcare closer to residents, especially our seniors, be further enhanced to better support them during the haze periods? Some examples which I wish to recommend are through proactive respiratory health monitoring, targeted education on haze precautions, expanded onsite support services or integrating with telehealth and frailty screenings at the Community Health Posts.

Indeed, for haze and a lot of the other conditions, there may be different vulnerable groups. It may be because of their age; it may be because of their existing medical conditions. We do try and keep an eye out for some of these things and see if there is a need to give special attention or some support.

I thank the Member for raising the Community Health Posts. The Community Health Posts have been put in place for a broader approach to healthcare, especially for seniors, so that they can have immediate access within the community at the Active Ageing Centres, for example. It is an "always on" sort of setting. We are intending to make sure that there are regular engagements, and this includes services, such as telemedicine, as well as the delivery of medical services and also perhaps medication. Indeed, in situations where there are more immediate or sudden crises or events, they will definitely be meaningful platforms to be additional touchpoints for seniors.