Criteria in Selection of Sites for Setting up of Active Ageing Centres

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health with reference to plans of increasing the number of Active Ageing Centres (AAC) from 119 to 220 by 2025 (a) whether the Ministry references the current or projected number of seniors in a precinct to plan where these new AACs will be located; (b) how much ground-up inputs have been considered before a site is selected; and (c) what is the average time taken from the identification of a site until an AAC is set up and ready to operate.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health (MOH) considers both the current and projected number of seniors, as well as other factors, such as local service needs and the accessibility and service boundaries of Active Ageing Centres (AACs), when planning for new AACs.

Before finalising the site, MOH will seek the views and support of key community stakeholders.

Sites for AACs can be identified in advance for planning purposes and the tender process to select a provider triggered later. The average time taken from launch of tender to operationalisation of an AAC is about two years.