Plans under Healthier SG for Younger Persons with Disabilities

Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng asked the Minister for Health (a) what are the plans under Healthier SG for younger persons with disabilities; and (b) whether the Ministry is willing to pilot some programmes with major disability social service agencies and healthcare professionals.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will build on the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to enable Persons with Disabilities, or PwDs, including those with intellectual disabilities, to live healthier lives.

There are specific considerations in delivering care to PwDs and we are committed to working with partners on this journey. Our healthcare professionals may face challenges, such as when there are high medical and social needs involved which need detailed support.

As part of the Master Plan, MOH has collaborated with the College of Family Physicians Singapore to offer a Family Practice Skills Course for general practitioners, which equips them in caring for persons with intellectual disabilities. We are also piloting a Community Integrated Health Team in partnership with a social service agency and a specialist outreach team from the Institute of Mental Health. These multidisciplinary teams offer home- or community-based care for persons with intellectual disabilities who have complex health needs. We will continue to build these capabilities in the community so as to support more caregivers and families of PwDs.

In line with making healthy living more accessible under Healthier SG, we are also working with partners to bring a wider range of programmes and activities closer to all residents, regardless of their level of mobility. For example, the Singapore Physical Activity Guidelines, developed by the Health Promotion Board and SportSG, were updated in 2022 and expanded to be inclusive of PwDs, providing recommendations and tips for PwDs to stay active. SportSG has expanded sporting opportunities for PwDs through the Para Sports Academy programme and is also working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) to update the Disability Sports Masterplan.

Meeting the health and healthcare needs of PwDs will require coordination of the efforts of different stakeholders. MOH and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will continue to study the gaps in service provision for PwDs and explore how to work with healthcare providers and community partners to strengthen support for them.