HEARING AND EYESIGHT PROBLEMS IN SENIOR CITIZENS

HEARING AND EYESIGHT PROBLEMS IN SENIOR CITIZENS:

(Treatment): 14.

Assoc. Prof. Kalyani K Mehta asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry (i) has plans to address the very low rates of senior citizens above 55 years old who are receiving treatment for hearing and eyesight problems as reported in the National Survey of Senior Citizens 2005; and (ii) would consider the idea of "Eye and Ear Camp" programmes which some countries, such as India, conduct regularly to render free treatments by professional volunteers to needy seniors.

The Minister of State for Health (Mr Heng Chee How) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, in large developing countries, like India, that have a large rural poor population, access to

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basic healthcare is a challenge. To supplement the limited healthcare services provided by their governments, some of their healthcare professional volunteers set up "Eye and Ear Camps" to provide free treatments for the rural poor.

The situation here in Singapore is very different. We have an urban population and basic healthcare is easily accessible. Residents are well served by family physicians and polyclinics for any screening of eyesight and hearing problems. Optometrists and opticians in shopping centres and HDB estates provide competent eye checks. When patients require further medical follow-up, they are referred to specialists for management. Needy patients are heavily subsidised and Medifund provides an additional financial safety net. Many voluntary welfare organisations supplement the Government's efforts with additional assistance.

The survey quoted by Prof. Mehta asked very basic questions of its respondents. For example, it asked the residents, "Do you have an eye or a vision problem?". Given the high myopic rate of Singaporeans, we are surprised that only 14% of those above 55 answered "yes" to such a question. Among these respondents, about half answered "no" to a question that asked, "Are you receiving medical treatment from a doctor?". As not all problems need to be attended to by doctors, the answer by these members of the public should be understood in that context.

The key is to ensure that basic healthcare is available to all. In Singapore's situation, we believe that unmet medical needs are not a severe problem. But we can certainly do more to raise awareness amongst Singaporeans, both young and old, regarding the need to seek professional help for any eyesight or hearing problems.

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Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[ Pursuant to Standing Order No. 22(3), Written Answer to Question No. 15 on the Order Paper is reproduced in the Appendix*. Question Nos. 16 and 17 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament .]

*Cols. 2621-2622.